Portmarnock Tennis Club – Child Protection Policy

Appendix 1

CLUB CHILDREN’S OFFICERS

Introduction

The club’s Children’s Officers are responsible for leading the implementation of Child Protection Policies and Procedures. In this task they will have the full support of the Executive Committee of the club.

The person will be a resource to anyone in the club who has a child protection/welfare concern.

The club’s Children’s Officers will play a fundamental role in the creation of a child centered ethos that promotes the positive aspects of tennis.

This will be achieved by communicating to every adult in the club that they have a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and young people in order to protect them from inappropriate behaviour and to promote a culture of safety and fun.

In order to do this the club’s Children’s Officers require certain knowledge and skills – some of which are a prerequisite for the role and others that will be obtained through training and experience.

Role and Responsibilities

• To be child centered and promote a child-centered ethos within the club.
• To promote awareness of safeguarding guidelines within the club.
• To make themselves known to all members of the club but particularly the junior members as opportunities arise throughout the year.
• To act as an advisory and support resource to those working with children and young people.
• Should have access to or be a member of the club management committee.
• To ensure that children, coaches/volunteers and parents/guardians know how to voice concerns within the club or to external agencies.
• To implement, with support from the Executive Committee, the club’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures and to ensure that they are communicated to all members and embraced at all levels within the club.
• To ensure that the Child Protection Policy and Procedures are ratified by the Executive Committee.
• To ensure all members are aware of the club’s Codes of Conduct for all coaches/volunteers, children and parents/guardians. Encourage appropriate involvement of parents/guardians in club activities.
• To manage and report concerns and to advise on poor practice issues which might not reach the threshold of intervention by statutory agencies but nonetheless require to be addressed.
• To promote greater consultation with and participation in club activities by junior members. Further, to ensure that there are ways for junior members to express their views and concerns about their activities and experiences within the club.
• To implement the required training and vetting needs of club personnel engaging in regulated activity with children.
• The Children’s Officers do not have the responsibility of investigating or validating child protection concerns within the club and therefore have no counselling or therapeutic role. This is the responsibility of statutory organisations.
• Through membership applications the club keeps digital records of all members on file.
• The junior committee develops and maintains a register of club personnel who are engaging in regulated activity (as defined by government legislation) with children and young people within the club.

Minimum Requirements (Children’s Officer)

• Have completed the Garda Vetting process.
• Have attended the Safeguarding 1 – Basic Awareness Workshop in Child Welfare & Protection and Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer Workshop.
• Have complied with the requirements of the club’s Recruitment Procedures (Appendix 5 of the policy document).

Desirable qualities and skills.

• A Children’s Officer should have good communication and listening skills, be approachable and non-judgmental.
• He/she should have a basic knowledge of child welfare and protection codes and guidelines (which will be acquired through appropriate training).
• The position will require the person to be trustworthy, discreet, impartial and sensitive as they will be required to handle and manage confidential material.