Safeguarding
Ensuring our sport provides a safe, secure environment for all participants
Safeguarding
Safeguarding young people and athletes is an overarching ethos for Weightlifting Ireland and must be a priority for all adults working with and responsible for children & vulnerable adults at club level and at competitions.
This ethos is reflected in our Weightlifting Ireland Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Policies, our rules/regulations documents and in the mandatory requirements for members, Coaches and Clubs where young people & vulnerable adults are involved and present. These are important documents for all members to read and implement.
The Board of Directors and our National Children’s Officer (NCO) liaises with Club Children’s Officers (CCO) and other relevant people working in Clubs and Associate members, helping and supporting all members with the implementation of safeguarding requirements.
Our National Children’s Officer (NCO), Shauna B Keane, along with assistance from our Designated Liaison Person (DLP), Caroline Murphy, advise and guide Club Children’s Officers to assist Clubs in following the policies and procedures and are available for any queries or issues that may arise.
Safeguarding in our Affiliated Clubs
Weightlifting Ireland is committed to safeguarding the youth involved in our sport, and in our affiliated clubs.
The Children First Act 2015 now requires that all clubs that provide services to young people (U18) and vulnerable adults must have a Child & Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Statement. As part of this Safeguarding Statement each club must also have a Child & Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Policies/Procedures to support:
- the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child/vulnerable adult availing of our activities.
- the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities.
- access to child & vulnerable adult safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.
- reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities.
As part of this Safeguarding Statement each club that provides services to young people (U18) and vulnerable adults must appoint a ‘relevant person’ who is the first point of contact for the club regarding Child & Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding. This person will be known as the Club’s Children’s Officer (CCO).
All clubs must now have a Designated Liaison Person (DLP). This is a requirement by law, therefore any clubs who do not have a Designated Liaison Person will be unable to complete the affiliation process. The DLP and the CCO can be the same person however, it is best practice, where possible, that they are two separate roles.
We provide all clubs with a Child & Vulnerable Adult Safety Statement and a Child & Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Risk Assessment to which they add their clubs information to. The Child & Vulnerable Adult Safety Statement should be appropriately edited, printed & signed by your Club’s Chair and Club’s Children Officer (CCO). It should be presented clearly on a notice board or somewhere so that it can been seen as people enter your premises.
Safeguarding Certification
Safeguarding training & certification is required for all coaches, officials & volunteers working with or providing services to young people (U18) and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding L1 is the minimum requirement for all coaches, officials & volunteers within WI.
If you are the Clubs Children’s Officer (CCO) of an affiliated, registered WI club, then you should have a valid SG1 and SG2 certificate in date at all times. If you are the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) of an affiliated, registered WI club, then you should have a valid SG1 and SG3 certificate in date at all times.
See below validation periods for certificates as per the Sport Ireland Safeguarding Guidance Document for Children and Young People in Sport:
- Safeguarding L1 (SG1): 3 years
- Safeguarding L1 Online Refresher: 3 years
- Safeguarding L2 (SG2): 3 years
- Safeguarding L3 (SG3): 3 years
Only the SG1 has an online refresher course available, and this then extends the SG1 education by an additional 3 years. The SG1 has an online refresher course, but this can only be validated if you have a valid SG1 certificate in date at the time of completing the online refresher. Once this 6-year period is up, the participants must complete the SG1 face-to-face, tutor led education once again (in-person or online).
There are no online refreshers for SG2 and SG3 – participants must complete the SG2 and/or the SG3 face-to-face, tutor led education once again (in-person or online) after the 3-year period is up.
For more information on best practice for the protection of children in sport & to find the SG1 refresher course follow the link : HERE
