Safeguarding

Child Protection and Welfare

An Tóchar GAA is committed to creating a fun, safe and happy environment, in which all our players can participate in  Gaelic Games.

At An Tóchar we take child safeguarding very seriously and have policies and procedures in place to look after the children in our care. We take all practicable steps to prevent abuse, harm, discrimination or degrading of children, while promoting a supportive, positive environment for all players.

Children’s Officer:

Club Children’s Officer: Frances Gaskin, 087 2659004, ChildrensOfficer.antochar.wicklow@gaa.ie

The key role of the Club Children’s Officer is to ensure the implementation and promotion of the relevant Child Welfare and Protection Codes and Guidelines. This promotes best safeguarding practice in our club, thereby ensuring that young people can participate, enjoy and benefit from our Gaelic Games in safe and enjoyable surroundings.

In their work the Club Children’s Officer shall be the link between the children/young people and the adults within the Club. They shall

    • promote the Code of Behaviour (Underage) and assist in ensuring that breaches of the code are dealt with the provisions of the Code.
    • promote the Give Respect-Get Respect initiative.
    • oversee the Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement process at club level.
    • ensure that all underage members complete annual membership.
    • ensure that coaches are vetted, that Safeguarding  workshops are completed
    • oversee that all coaches working with children must have a minimum recognised coaching qualification and keep up-to-date records of the same.
    • The Children’s Officer is obliged to report to/attend the Club Executive Committee and to report to AGM

Designated Liaison Person:

The  role of the DLP is to be the point of contact, who on behalf of the Club shall be responsible at an initial stage for dealing with any concerns relating to the possible abuse of children as reported or made known to them.The DLP should record all concerns brought to their attention and the actions taken thereafter.

The appointed Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

    •  is responsible for ensuring that reporting procedures within the Club are followed
    • ensures child welfare and protection concerns are referred promptly to the relevant statutory authority and to their own Association’s Mandated Person.
    • liaises with the Association’s Mandated Person as required on allegations of abuse.
An Tóchar’s DLP:  Audrey Byrne

Who needs to be vetted?

In the GAA any person who carries out a role of responsibility involving players under the age of 18 must be vetted. These roles are coaching, managing or training underage teams or adult teams  containing any player under 18 yrs. of age. It also applies to organising underage activities or refereeing underage games.

What are the legal requirements ?

It is a criminal offence, for a person acting on behalf of the GAA, or for the GAA as an Association to permit any person to commence working with children on behalf of the Association without that person first obtaining a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of the role for which they have been recruited. It is also a breach of GAA rules if you are working with children or vulnerable adults on behalf of the Association and have not been vetted.

Any person over the age of 16, working with children or vulnerable adults must obtain a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau. In this case a parental consent form must also be completed.