Child Welfare and Protection

1

Child Welfare and Protection

The Association and its sister organisations recently launched the online version of Code of Behaviour (Underage). This Code has been agreed between the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, GAA Handball Ireland and GAA Rounders.

The Code replaces all previous Codes and is a mandatory Code of Behaviour for all Gaelic Games Associations in our work with underage players. It is a comprehensive good practice guidance publication and we are anxious that as many players, coaches, parents and other Club personnel have immediate access to its contents.

Download a copy of Our Games – Our Code, the joint Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport 

Guidance for Dealing with & Reporting Allegations or Concerns of Abuse

 New Guidance on reporting and managing allegations of abuse have been adopted by the GAA and our sister Associations.  The Guidance examines policy and practice and gives direction on external statutory reporting, the debarment process and how to report such matters internally as well.

To learn more about how the GAA deals with allegations of abuse, please click here – https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection/allegations-of-abuse

For information on Vetting Services to the GAA click here

The Gaelic Athletic Association is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all young people who wish to participate in our Gaelic Games and activities. We will take all practicable steps to protect them from discernible 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 in each of our Clubs and at County Board level.
  •        Appointing a National Children’s Officer to oversee the implementation of good child protection and welfare practices within the Association.
  •        Appointing a Designated Person in each Club and County who will liaise with the statutory authorities as appropriate.
  •        Appointing a National Designated Person to assist in the processing of child protection and welfare matters.
  •        Ensuring that all allegations of abuse of young people are confidentially dealt with in accordance the Association’s Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse (Fourth Edition 2009) and with statutory guidelines and relevant legislation.
  •        Reviewing the effectiveness of our Child Protection procedures and policies on an ongoing basis.
  •        Ensuring that members, coaches, team mentors, administrators, parents/guardians and spectators sign up to and adhere to our Code of Behaviour.

Downloads:

For further details please refer to the club-zone section of the GAA website – please click on the following link – https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection/

To view the GAA Code of Behaviour booklet, please click on the following link – https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/ohl9oq3mbgtnoi6arn22.pdf

For further information, please contact Des Croke – County Children’s Officer on 086-2944249