Training
Appropriate training for those working with young people in sport is directed by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland and should be sport related. While staff, coaches and volunteers may have completed safeguarding training in another sphere it will be necessary to also complete specific modules of Sport Ireland safeguarding training as advised by Hockey Ireland.
Click here for details on a Hockey Ireland Child Welfare Training Course (If your club would like to organise an in house Safeguarding Course contact nationalchildrensofficer@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com)
Click here for the Safeguarding 1 Online Refresher
Click here for details on courses in the Republic of Ireland
Click here for details on courses in Northern Ireland and here
The details of the three stages of training are outlined here as follows
Safeguarding 1 – Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Workshop
All Coaches, Club Children’s Officers (CCO) and Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Workshop. This workshop educates participants on the implementation of best practice in safeguarding the welfare of children involved in sport. There is a Safeguarding 1 Online Refresher for those who have previously attended the face to face Safeguarding workshop. This must be completed every 3 years.
Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer
A person appointed to the role of Club Children’s Officer within a club must have firstly completed Sport Ireland’s Safeguarding 1 (Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness workshop). They should also complete Sport Ireland’s Club Children’s Officer 3 hour workshop. The aim of this workshop is to help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out their role and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer Action Planning document as part of the training.
Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person
A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must firstly complete Sport Ireland’s Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Workshop and should complete the Sport Ireland’s Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate roles.
Club Children’s Officers (CCO)
Club Children’s Officers should be child centred in focus. Their primary aim is to establish a child centred ethos within the club. The CCO is the link between the children and the adults in the club. They also have responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders
Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TULSA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochán / PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisation’s child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role.
