Child Safeguarding Statement

The ICTSA is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies, our volunteers and employed staff working with our young people, throughout the Association, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop.

The ICTSA commits to the following principles:

Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in sport.

Needs of the child - All children’s sport experiences should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.

Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with children in our sport are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.

Fair Play - All children’s sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.

Quality atmosphere & ethos - Children’s sport should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.

Competition - Competition is an essential element of sport and should be encouraged in an age appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.

Equality - All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion.

The ICTSA’s written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents required to alleviate these risks.

The list of risks identified are contained in the following categories:

• Coaching & Club Activities
• Complaints & Discipline
• Reporting Procedures
• Facilities
• Recruitment
• Communications and Social Media
• General Risk of Harm

The Risk Assessment was undertaken on 23rd January 2019, and reviewed on 26th October 2021 & 31st August 2023, and is available at: www.ictsa.ie/policies/child-protection/risk-assessment-ae-child-safety

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice). In addition to the ICTSA’s Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

The ICTSA has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:

• Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities
• Procedures for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities
• Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm
• Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities

The Mandated Person for the ICTSA is Austin Gilligan

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Association is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while participating in our activities. All staff have been furnished with a copy of this statement. This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency and members of the public on request and will be displayed at www.ictsa.ie

This Child Safeguarding Statement has been reviewed on 31/07/2024

Anne Moore    Date: 31/07/2024

National Childrens Officer (NCO)

For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact child.safety@ictsa.ie