CHILD PROTECTION STATEMENT
“The Ward School of Judo upholds the principle that all children, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse. The members, staff and volunteers of The Ward School of Judo are committed to the welfare and protection of children and young people so they can enjoy the sporting activities in safety without fear, threat, or abuse.”
Safeguarding Policy
GLOSSARY OF TERMS:
Safeguarding or Child Protection: The term child protection has been extended to safeguarding as it reflects the wider responsibility for health safety and prevention as well as just protection from abuse. It may be defined as: Doing everything possible to minimise the risk of harm to children, young people & vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding is about being proactive and putting measures in place in advance of any contact with children to ensure that children are going to be kept safe. This could include:
Ensuring staff/volunteers are properly checked when they are recruited
Guidelines for people who come into contact with children as part of their role to ensure they know what they need to do to keep children safe
Guidelines for planning an event or activity with children and putting measures in place to minimise the risk of safeguarding issues occurring.
Children & Young People (Child/Juvenile/Junior/Underage):
A child or young person is defined by the law in both jurisdictions as a person under the age of 18 years. For the purposes of this document the term children & young people applies to all under the age of 18.
Vulnerable Adult: A vulnerable adult is defined as a person who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is unable to take care of him or herself or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation
Parent/guardian: For the purposes of this document when referring to parent/guardian the term is used to include parents, legal guardians, and/or carer.
Coach/Trainer: A coach is a person who assists the young participant to develop his or her skills and abilities in a progressive way.
Manager: A manager is an individual who takes overall responsibility for a team or a group of sports people and who will often have a direct input into the nature and organization of the activity itself.
A disclosureis defined as a specific allegation of abuse. It may or may not be made against a named individual.
A suspicionis when concern is expressed about abuse that may have taken place or concern that abuse may take place.
Designated Person/ Children’s Officers:Is the person who is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to the and acts as a resource with organisations for children. This person will also be responsible for dealing with any course about protection of young people.
Statutory Authorities: The authorities who promote the protection and welfare of young people and vulnerable adults who have the responsibility for the investigation and/or validation of suspected child abuse, i.e., in the ROI it is An Garda Siochána and the Child and Family Agency (TULSA), and in NI it is the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT).
POLICY STATEMENT
The Irish Judo Association has agreed and adopted the following Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy;
- To fully commit to the safety and welfare of its members especially young or vulnerable persons by promoting and prioritising safeguarding.
- Ensure the protection, safety and welfare of a child or young person is of paramount importance
- Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognize, identify and respond to signs of safeguarding concerns.
- Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns and support is given to those who raise or disclose a concern. Also the relevant statutory authorities (Child & Family Agency, Health & Social Care Trusts, Police Service NI & An Garda Síochána) shall receive full so-operation in any matter relating to the protection, safety and welfare of a child or young person.
- Any matter concerning the protection, safety and welfare of a child or young person shall be treated with all confidentiality.
- Implement all policies and practices pertinent for the protection, safety and welfare of a child or young person and ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
- The Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed by the organisation on a regular basis.
Safeguarding Policy Club Requirements
CLUB STRUCTURE
A number of changes will now have to be made to the structure of a local club. A Children’s Officer will now have to be appointed within each club. This person must undergo the Basic Awareness Child Protection Course.
Clubs will also have to comply with the new guidelines with regards to Child Protection:
- Club Constitution must be amended to reflect Child Protection requirements
- All Clubs must appoint two club members to hold the following roles – a) Children’s Club Officer & b) Designated Person
- The Children’s Officer and Designated Person must sit on the Club’s Executive Committee to report on Child Protection issues
- The Club’s Children’s Officers must complete the Basic Awareness Child Protection Course
- Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons to attend Specific Children’s Officer training
- All Club Coaches should also complete Basic Awareness Child Protection Course
- Child Protection must be an item on the Club’s Executive Committee Monthly Agendas
- All Clubs should have a robust recruitment process, including vetting, references and interview for all committee members, coaches and all staff/volunteer members.
- All Club members signed up to the club child protectioncode in conjunction with the national programme
10.A complaints procedure should be in place for each club
- Adult supervision should be available during all children’s activities for Judo classes & competitions
Clubs with any questions or queries should contact the National Children’s Officer at: info@jfm.ie or 087 9595944
Mr John Martin
National Children’s Officer
Irish Judo Association