The Role of the Childrens Officer
The Cuala Children’s Officers have as their primary
aim the establishment of a child and youth centred ethos within
Cuala and will be viewed by many as the link between the children/young
people in the Club and the adults. It is the responsibility
of the Children’s Officers to regularly report to Coiste
on how Club policy and procedures impact on the welfare and
safeguarding of under age players and their coaches. The Club
Children’s Officer will -
- Promote greater awareness within Cuala of the GAA Code of
Best Practice
in Youth Sport.
- Assist with and identify the need for Code of Ethics training
within Cuala and other appropriate training in consultation
with the Club’s Designated Person.
- Ensure, in as far as possible, that all Players, Coaches/Team
mentors, Parents/Guardians, Officials and Spectators adhere
to the Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport.
- Distribute copies of the GAA Joint Code of Behaviour at
club level.
- Influence policy and practice within the Club in order to
prioritise children’s and young people’s needs.
- Promote greater consultation with under age players and
participation by them in club activities and planning.
- Encourage the involvement of parents/guardians in organising
Club activities and to co-operate with parents in ensuring
that every young person enjoys his/her involvement with the
Club.
- Establish good links with local schools involved in the
promotion of Gaelic Games.
- Liaise with Coiste na nÓg to ensure that the “child
centred ethos” is being adhered to
through coaching and games development.
- Develop good practice procedures in the recruitment and
selection of persons working
with young people in the club.
- Assist, or oversee the distribution of Garda
Vetting in the club.
- Monitor, in association with team coaches, any significant
drop out rates, lack of attendance or club transfers of under
age players and report accordingly to Coiste .
- Maintain on-going contact with the County Board Children's
Officer and with other Club
Children’s Officers.
Club Children’s Officers do not have the responsibility
to investigate or validate child protection allegations or
concerns within the Club. The liaison person appointed by
the Club to deal with such concerns is the Club’s Designated
Person as per the GAA Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations
of Abuse
Cuala Code of Practise on Child Safety
Cuala is committed to creating and maintaining the safest
possible environment for all young people who wish to participate
in its activities. We will take all practicable steps to protect
them from discernable forms of abuse, from harm, discrimination
or degrading treatment and shall respect their rights, wishes
and feelings. We do this by:
- Recognising that all children have the right to be protected
from harm.
- Ensuring that all of our coaches and volunteers are carefully
recruited and selected and that they accept responsibility
for ensuring the well-being of children in their care.
- Responding swiftly and appropriately to protect the welfare
of children who participate in our games and related activities.
- Providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice
any concerns that they may have.
- Appointing Children’s Officers.
- Appointing a Designated Person who will liaise with the
statutory authorities as appropriate.
- Ensuring that all allegations of abuse of young people are
confidentially dealt with in accordance the GAA Guidelines
for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse and with statutory guidelines
and relevant legislation.
- Ensuring that members, coaches, team mentors, administrators,
parents/guardians and spectators sign up to and adhere to
our Code of Behaviour.
Garda Vetting
You are reminded that all Club officials who are
involved with Juvenile Players must be cleared under the Garda
Vetting Schemes. If you have not already completed the forms,
you should do so immeditely and forward it, in a SEALED envelope,
to
any of the Childrens Officers . Remember to print your name
on the outside so they know who completed the form.
Garda Vetting
Form
Helmets to be Complsory from January
One piece of necessary infrastructure has already
been decided. From the 1st January next, hurling helmets must
be worn by ALL HURLERS (including Goalkeepers) during Matches
and Training. This is GAA policy; recall that, in 2008, Congress
tightened Rule 4.2 (Equipment) with effect from 1/1/2010.
An Coiste fully supporst the new rule and expect all players,
team managers and mentors will fully comply with the rule
in keeping with our continued efforts to ensure player safety.
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