CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT

Lucan Harriers AC is committed to ensuring that all young people who participate in sport have a safe and positive experience. The club is committed to developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure that everyone knows and accepts their responsibility in relation to a duty of care for young people.

Lucan Harriers AC recognises that it is not the responsibility of those individuals working within the club to determine if abuse has taken place, but it is their responsibility to act upon and report any concerns.

If any person within the club has a doubt to this policy’s relevance to their role and duties then please contact one of the clubs Child Welfare Officers.

The Club and those involved with the club will abide by the following principles and statements:

All young people within Lucan Harriers AC, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, have the right to be protected.

All young people participating in sport have a right to do so in a safe environment.

All adults involved with the club will provide a safe, positive and fun sporting experience for young people.

All volunteers, coaches and officials will understand and be supported in their role and responsibility with regard to the duty of care for young people.

All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously, managed and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

The club will assist coaches, volunteers and officials to remain up-to-date with the latest safeguarding and child protection issues.

The club will appoint one or more Child Welfare Officers who will be responsible for issues concerning child welfare at the club.

Respect other athletes

Respect for coaches & officials

Remember - this is not the Olympics

Everyone should be allowed the opportunity to do their best

Recognise all efforts made

Below highlights what athletes should NEVER allow happen

Never argue with the coach or an official at an event

Never use foul language especially in front of, or to, a juvenile and do not allow a juvenile to use such language to anyone

Do not disrespect anyone at training or at race meets

Do not show aggressive behavior or threaten anyone

Below highlights the behaviour our athletes should adopt

Train to the best of your ability

Arrive on time and do not distract others from their training

Show respect to all fellow athletes at all times

All Juvenile Coaches, Juvenile Officials and Volunteers at the Club should lead by example and:

1. Ensure their Garda Vetting is completed before commencing coaching.

2. Be up-to-date with knowledge and skill of sport and athletics for young people and be

willing to undertake training courses and workshops relevant to coaching.

3. All active coaches, assistant coaches and parent volunteers must have up-to-date Garda

vetting and a certificate of completion for Child Safeguarding Level 1.

4. Club Children’s Officer must be Garda vetted and have a certification for Child Safeguarding Level 1 and 2

5. The designated Liaison Person must be Garda vetted and attend Child Safeguarding Level 1, 2 and 3

6. Confirm that they agree with the Club Coach Education and Training Policy.

7. Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.

8. Display consistently high standards of behaviour.

9. Follow the guidelines laid down by Athletics Ireland as adopted by the Club.

10. Develop an appropriate working relationship with athletes based on mutual trust and respect.

11. Be familiar with Club policies and procedures.

12. Be aware of any medical requirements of the athletes in their care as indicated by parents

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Parents/guardians play a key role in the support and promotion of an ethical approach to sport and young people’s enjoyment in sport. Parents/guardians, therefore, need to be aware, informed and involved in promoting the safest possible environment for children to enjoy their participation in sport. Sports leaders need the support of parents / guardians to provide a safe environment and in conveying the fair play message. All participants in sport have a responsibility to keep sport safe, fun, and conducted with a spirit of fair play for all.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for their own children. You as a parent/guardian know your child best. If you believe that your child needs further supervision or support than can be given in a group situation at training sessions or competitions, for whatever reason either medical, psychological or emotional then you must ensure that you or an adult responsible for your child is present at training sessions and competitions at all times.

Parents and Guardians of Children in the age groups up to and including under 12 years of age must at all times have a parent/guardian or an adult responsible for them at training sessions or competitions. 12 and over can be dropped off and collected after training.

Parents’ Code of Conduct

Parents and Guardians should always:

• Be a good role model for your child and maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with children, other parents, coaches, officials, and volunteers.

• Support all efforts to remove abusive behaviour and bullying behaviour in all its forms.

• Encourage their child to learn the Athletics Ireland and Club rules & abide by them.

• Discourage unfair play & arguing with officials.

• Set a good example by recognising fair play & applauding good performances of all.

• Always use correct and proper language.

• Publicly accept officials’ judgements

• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.

• Encourage and guide your child to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

• Ensure that your child is registered with the club and that their membership renewal is up to date. Membership runs from January to December.

• Ensure that the club has up-to-date contact details for parents/guardians.

• Ensure that the club is informed of any medical or physical issues your child may have including any other difficulty or disorder which will impact coach/athlete communication or understanding. This must be communicated annually to the club and your child’s coach. Coaches change so you must ensure each coach is informed.

• Comply with all Government and Club health and safety guidelines and measures put in place to protect our athletes and volunteers from accidents, danger, or ill health. For example, Covid 19 Pandemic Public Health Guidelines.

• Ensure you are familiar with the start and finish times of your child’s training sessions or competitions and ensure that they are dropped off and collected on time.

• Ensure that all athlete belongings have name tags, and all belongings are taken home at the end of each training session.

• Ensure that young athletes are properly attired in club singlet’s for competitions.

If possible:

• Volunteer with the club for coaching, officiating or running events.

• Volunteer (minimum once per annum) at competition events when your child competes for the Club.

Parents and Guardians should not:

• Force your child to take part in sports if they are injured or unwell.

• Punish or belittle a child for losing or poor performance.

• Argue with coaches, volunteers or other officials.

• Behave in a manner that brings the club into disrepute.• Attempt to meet your own needs and aspirations for success and achievement through your child’s participation in games.

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Parents and Guardians are entitled to:

• Know that their child is safe while training and competing with the club.

• Make a complaint if they believe that their child’s safety is compromised.

• If making a complaint. Report it to any Coach or Club Official. Do no approach a Parent or Juvenile Athlete

• Be kept informed of any issues arising in relation to their child.

• Be informed if their child is injured.

Code sign-up:

Upon registration with Lucan Harrier Athletic Club and upon renewal of registration every year parents / guardians undertake to abide by and support the club’s child protection policy and in doing so they undertake to abide by Lucan Harrier Athletic Club ‘Code of Conduct for Parents and Guardians’.

Just like coaches and volunteers, young people have responsibilities to make the activity fun and safe. This means respecting the coaches, volunteers and other athletes who are there to help young people by:

Not being disruptive or disrespectful to the coach, coach's helpers or other club members by words or actions.

Being prepared and on time for sessions/training

Doing their best at all times

Giving their friends a second chance if they make a mistake

Welcoming new members

Saying NO to bullying.

A young person’s experience of sport should be guided by what is best for the young person. The stage of development and the ability of the young person should guide the type of activity provided within a club environment. Adults will need to have a basic understanding of the needs of young people, including their physical, emotional and personal needs. Sport gives young people an opportunity to be part of a team and to learn and develop skills; the sporting environment should be regarded by children as a safe place.

Within Lucan Harriers, we want children to have fun and develop skills in a safe and Fair Play environment where standards of behaviour are adopted at ALL times.

We recognise that competition and winning is an important goal, but winning at all costs does not meet the needs of young players

Lucan Harriers are aware that there are increasing numbers of children leaving athletics at a certain age. A number of the most common reasons given are: that athletics was no longer fun, overemphasis on winning, and competing against all other sports. All coaches within Lucan Harriers strive to combat these challenges and work very closely with our juvenile athletes.

Therefore, everyone involved (athletes, coaches, volunteers and parents) have to make every effort to ensure that we keep a balanced approach to competition, make sure all athletes get a chance to compete and strive to keep the fun element within the juvenile section.

Adults Are Entitled To:

Be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Take part in athletics in a safe and supportive environment.

Have their personal privacy and boundaries respected.

Equal opportunities to participate, regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnicity, religion, or background.

Raise concerns and have them taken seriously.

Be supported if they are at risk of harm.

Adults Should Always:

Respect others, both within the club and at events.

Act as positive role models, showing fairness, inclusion, and good sportsmanship.

Communicate respectfully, in person and online.

Prioritise safety at training, competitions, and events.

Keep relationships appropriate and professional.

Follow club rules, safeguarding guidance, and Athletics Ireland Athletics policies.

Report any safeguarding or dignity concerns promptly.

Adults Should Never:

Bully, harass, discriminate against, or abuse anyone.

Use intimidation, exclusion, humiliation, or aggressive behaviour.

Engage in inappropriate physical, verbal, emotional, financial, or sexual behaviour.

Exploit their role or position for personal gain.

Ignore or dismiss safeguarding or dignity concerns.

Share personal information about members inappropriately.

Share contact details without a person’s permission

Endanger the safety or well-being of themselves or others.

Bullying and Harassment

Bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable. They include behaviours such as:

Repeated intimidation, exclusion, or humiliation.

Offensive jokes, comments, or unwanted attention.

Physical threats or unwelcome touching.

Online abuse or inappropriate messages.

All complaints will be taken seriously, treated confidentially, and addressed promptly. All Complaints should be reported any Captain, Coach or a committee Member

Upon registration with Lucan Harrier Athletic Club and upon renewal of registration every year all adults undertake to abide by and support the club’s child protection policy and in doing so they undertake to abide by Lucan harrier Athletic Club ‘Code of Conduct for Adults’