• KCTC Child Safeguarding Statement

    Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club Child Safeguarding Statement

     

    Section 1 – Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club information

    Branch details:

    (a)   Name: Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club

    (b)  Sport: Tennis

    (c)   Location: Kilfeacle, Tipperary, Co. Tipperary

    (d)  Size: 3 courts, 275+ members

    (e)   Activities: Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club provides tennis activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in parks, clubs, regional, provincial events and with our representative teams. The NGB is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All our affiliated stakeholders work under the guidance and policies of our Safeguarding Code. All our committee members, volunteers and staff working with children throughout the organisation seek to create a safe environment for children and young people to participate in Tennis.

     

    Section 2 - Principles to safeguard children from harm

    Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of Tennis Ireland Safeguarding Policies our staff, both volunteers and employed, working with our young people, throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop within sport. The following set of principles should be adhered to:

    (i) Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in tennis.

    (ii) 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.

    (iii) Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with children in tennis 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.

    (iv) 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.

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

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

    (vii) 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.

     

    Section 3 - Risk Assessment

     

    Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club has a written Risk Assessment document which indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents require to alleviate these risks.  The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:

    • Club and Coaching Practices
    • Complaints & Discipline
    • Reporting Procedures
    • Use of Facilities
    • Recruitment
    • Communications
    • General Risk of Harm

     

    The Risk Assessment for Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club was undertaken on 1st June 2021.

     

    Section 4 – Procedures

    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 and Gateway Northern Ireland). In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

    Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club 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.
    • Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.
    • Procedure for appointing a relevant person.
    • Procedures for managing trips away and hosting children.

     

    Please note that all procedures listed are available on request.

    The Relevant Person for Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club is the Club DLP or Chairperson

    Section 5 – Implementation

    We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities.

    Please note the following:

    • That all staff, committee members and volunteers 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.
    • This statement is displayed in a prominent place by Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club  

    This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on 31st May 2023

    Signed:                                                               Date: 12th July 2021

    (On behalf of the Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club)

    Name: Declan Keaty (KCTC Chairperson)       Phone no:  +353 87 9661344         

    For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact – Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club Children’s Officer – Jennifer Killeen