Child protection and awareness week at Kanturk GAA
KANTURK GAA club is completely committed to the welfare and well-being of the children within its care.
The club conforms to the legislative, organisational and statutory guidance that governs working with children, and strives to conform to best practice in this regard.
The club has a child centred approach which is inclusive and welcomes all children as members. The club is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all children in these very important developmental years.
The club’s role and responsibility is to ensure that they benefit from and participate in Gaelic games and activities in a safe and enjoyable environment where our games are conducted in a spirit of fair play with everyone involved emphasising respect, equality, safety and non-discrimination in all aspects of our work with children and young people.
The club approach can be summed up in its mission statement which states that - all children in the club will reach their full potential in all GAA activities in an enjoyable, positive and safe environment regardless of ability.
In this regard the club has a number of important documents on its website. These include the GAA document ‘GAA code of behaviour - underage’ which gives detailed guidance on all the key issues and responsibilities involved for all working with under eighteens in the club. A supplement to this document called ‘ maintaining appropriate levels of behaviour in our work with children and young people’ is also included.
The club’s detailed anti-bullying policy is included as well as the club’s anti-bullying statement.
The club has a detailed child protection policy which deals with the sensitive issue of child abuse. The person who deals with issues of concern in this regard is the club’s designated liaison person who is Pat Bradley. The club’s deputy designated liaison person is John Healy.
The club presents a child safeguarding statement each year which involves carrying out an assessment of practices regarding children within the club and any possible improvements needed are identified.
Everyone in the club working with under eighteens are required to be Garda vetted.
It has been decided that the week from March 1st to 5th is child welfare and protection awareness week in the club. All members and parents are asked to become familiar with the material on the website. There is a lot of material but members and parents are asked to be aware of it and the particular guidance for their particular role. Guidance on the use the website section is given.
Those in the club involved with under eighteens will partake an on-line child safeguarding course which will be held on March 2nd.
The club’s children’s officer is Pat Bradley. The role of the children’s officer is included. If anyone requires hard copies of the above documents, please request from the club.