CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT - PART A

Gorey RFC provides rugby activities to young people through participation in mini and youth coaching and competitions and participation programmes in related schools and/or the community.  

The club is committed to the enjoyment of rugby by young people. It values and encourages the participation of parents, coaches and volunteers in rugby for participants under 18-years of age.

The club will adhere to the IRFU Safeguarding Policy, which strives to respect the dignity and rights of Age Grade Players. The club will strive to promote, create and maintain safe environments for Age Grade Players. It will endeavour to maintain the key IRFU values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity, Excellence and Fun. A detailed safeguarding policy can be found here: IRFU Safe Guarding Policy and is available through the club CWO. The Sports Councils’ Code of Ethics should be used where the IRFU has not published specific guidelines, in particular with regard to the principles to safeguard children from harm, outlined in part B of this document, page 2. 

Following a risk assessment for any potential harm to a child while involved in rugby we have identified areas of risk and the list of procedures to be put in place to manage these risks. These risks were categorised under the following headings Recruitment, Club and Coaching Practices, Reporting, Complaints, Facilities and Communication.  Part C (pages 3-6), indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or documents required to alleviate these risks.   Our child safeguarding statement has been developed in line with requirements of IRFU and under the Children First Act 2015 and in Northern Ireland, the Club Framework for Safeguarding Standards. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures are in place as part of the IRFU Safeguarding Policy, IRFU Spirit of Rugby Safe Guarding Policy and support our intention to safeguard children:
Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children as per IRFU safeguarding policy
Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm
Procedure for the reporting of child protection and welfare concerns to Tusla (Ireland) and Gateway (Northern Ireland) through the National Safeguarding Officer and Mandated Person within IRFU: Anne Marie Hughes (086 0485977 / annemarie.hughes@irfu.ie), National Safeguarding Officer holds position of Relevant Person as per Children First Act
Procedure for the management of allegation of abuse or misconduct against workers/volunteers of a child availing of our service and can be found in the case management policy
Procedure for appointing a relevant person (Club Welfare Officer) for the purposes of the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement
Procedures to minimise risk of harm of a child have been put in place and are available in the IRFU Safeguarding Policy
All procedures listed are available on the IRFU website, Irish Rugby Safe Guarding . The IRFU and Gorey RFC expects those involved within club age-grade rugby to adopt and supervise the implementation of these safeguarding principles and standards. The club recognises that implementation is an ongoing process. It is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and accompanying safeguarding policy to keep children involved in rugby safe from harm. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in April 2021, or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers. 

Signed : Mick Stokes - Club Chairman                

Signed : Trysh Sullivan - Club Welfare Officer 

PART B - PRINCIPLES TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN FROM HARM 

IRFU is committed to safeguarding children and, by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies our staff, both volunteers and employed, working with our young people, throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop within sport. The following set of principles should be adhered to:

Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in age-grade rugby.
Needs of the child - All age-grade rugby experiences should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.
Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with young people in rugby are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that young people are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.
Fair Play - All age-grade rugby should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.
Quality atmosphere & ethos – Age-grade rugby should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.
Competition - Competition is an essential element of sport and should be encouraged in an age appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.
Equality - All young people should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion, as per the IRFU Charter

https://www.sportireland.ie/Participation/Code_of_Ethics/Safeguarding%20Guidance/Safeguarding%20Guidance%20for%20Children%20and%20Young%20People%20in%20Sport.pdf

PART C- IRFU RISK ASSESSMENT 

This risk assessment considers the potential for harm to come to children whilst they are in the care of the Irish Rugby Football Union and Gorey RFC . It gives the required policy, guidance or process documents required to alleviate these risks.  

This risk assessment has been carried out prior to the publication of the club’s Child Safeguarding Statement (Section 11 (1b) Children First Act 2015). In this context and in accordance with the requirements of Section 11 (1) of the Children First Act 201, that states “a relevant service we will undertake an assessment of any potential harm to a child while availing of the service”; the risk is of abuse and not general health and safety risk.  This risk assessment is also in accordance with Sport Northern Ireland’s Club Framework for Safeguarding Standards in Sport and Sport Ireland’ Guidance and as such can be used by the IRFU’s constituent Provinces.

The risk assessment indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents require to alleviate these risks.  The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are listed in relevant categories overleaf and are based on the IRFU Club Action Plan.

IRFU  and Gorey RFC Responsibilities

The Club has appointed two Club Welfare Officers to implement the IRFU Safeguarding Policy and to monitor the implementation of the associated Club Action Plan
This risk assessment has been completed with the Club Welfare Officer and other members of the Club Committee  
The Committee recorded this risk assessment at the October 2019 Executive meeting and published a Child Safeguarding Statement thereafter.
All Age-Grade staff and volunteers (e.g. coaches, manager, team assistants) working regularly and continuously with Age-grade teams / groups (or where their role is a necessary part of working) with young people and/or vulnerable adults have been vetted and have signed the Declaration of Intent.
The IRFU has a Mandated Person and listed their contact in the Child Safeguarding Statement. Our Club Welfare Officer will report to IRFU Mandated Person
The CSS is available to parents through the Club Welfare Officer
The Club will adhere to the IRFU Safeguarding Policy

This document was completed by Club Welfare Officer on behalf of the Committee and approved by the Executive in October 2019. On completion of this Gorey RFC will now complete and publish the Child Safeguarding Statement signed by Chair and Club Welfare Officer.                      

SIGNED :        Mick Sullivan - Club Chairman     

SIGNED :        Trysh Sullivan - Club Welfare Officer

The Risk Assessment was undertaken in October 2023  and will be reviewed in October 2025 in line with updated Safeguarding Polices