ANGLING COUNCIL OF IRELAND Child Protection Guide Implementation Plan In Association with the Irish Sports Council Bob Seward MSc CMIOSH 2010
Angling Council of Ireland Child Protection Guide Implementation Plan The Angling Council of Ireland is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its members. Every affiliated specific Angling National Governing Body, club, association and individual member in the organisation should at all times, show respect and understanding for members rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the guidelines contained in the code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland. Signed Eamonn Moore Chairman Angling Council of Ireland Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 2
What is the background to this Child Protection Guide Implementation Plan? The National Executive of the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI) in partnership with the Irish Sports Council and affiliated specific National Angling Governing Bodies has issued Guidance Documents for child protection in angling sport. It was decided that all specific National Angling Governing Bodies would implement the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for children s Sport with guidance from ACI. The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children s Sport and the Angling Council of Ireland Guidance Document on Children in Angling Sport are the documents referred to in this Implementationn Plan. As part of our Child Protection Policy, this Implementation Plan is issued to all affiliated specific National Angling Governing Bodies to ensure our strategic goals on child protection and safety are achieved in 2010. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 3
The Angling Council of Ireland developed a Guidance Document for affiliated specific National Angling Governing Bodies with regard to Child Protection in Angling Sport. This implementationn plan sets out the necessary elements in order to achieve the goals of the Angling Council of Ireland Strategic Plan 2009-2015 and it includes timelines and key milestones for its implementation to ensure compliance. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 4
Element 1 Registration of Angling Council of Ireland with the Garda Vetting Unit The Angling Council of Ireland shall register with the Garda Vetting Unit in Thurles Co. Tipperary by end of February 2010 following the appointment of National Child Liaison Officer. Goal # 1 The Angling Council of Ireland shall be registered as the Overall National Governing Body for Angling Sport in Ireland with the Garda Vetting Unit by end of February 2010. Principle proponent: Lead- National Executive of ACI as directed by Chairman Support: Action by - National Secretary ACI within the specified timeframe. Element 2 Appointment of Officers National Children s Liaison The National executive of Angling Council of Ireland shall appoint a National Child Liaison Officer (NCLO) and an Assistant National Child Liaison Officer (ACLO) and shall ensure such persons have been Garda vetted and approved as suitable to hold such appointments. Goal # 2. Provisionally appoint ACI National Children s Liaison Officer and ACI Assistant National Children s Liaison Officer at Executive Meeting in February. Principle proponent: Lead - National Executive of Angling Council of Ireland Support: Action by- All National Governing Bodies (SSTRAI, IFSA, IFPAC, TAFI, NCFFI) present and ACI National Secretary National Secretary to forward details of those appointed to Garda Vetting Unit following Executive Meeting. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 5
Element 3 Appointment of Specific National Angling Governing Bodies (SSTRAI, IFSA, IFPAC, TAFI, NCFFI) Children s Liaison Organisation. Officers in each affiliated The National executive of ACI shall ensure that each affiliated organisation appoints a National Children s Liaison Officer (NCLO) and shall ensure that such persons have been vetted by An Garda Siochana as suitable to hold such positions. Potential candidates must be proposed and recommend by the Specific National Angling Governing Body Executive. Nominations must be submitted on the National Children s Liaison Officer Nomination Form as per appendix A to this document. Element 4 Seek Garda approval of potential Child Liaison Officers The National executive of ACI shall maintain a national register of all vetted and approved affiliated specific National Governing Bodies appointed National Children s Liaison Officers, in addition it shall retain on file a copy of Garda vetting as evidence for those appointed. Primary responsibility for appointing of regional and Club Child Liaison Officers shall remain with individual affiliated national organisations. It will be the responsibility of each organisation to ensure the appointments are made in good time. It is recommended that the appointments be made for a period of three years. Organisations should also consider selecting additional potential children s liaison officers to ensure the National Training Needs Analysis meets the needs of the organisation and that sufficient training courses may be planned and conducted in 2010 and beyond. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 6
Vetting Process Information GARDA CENTRAL VETTING UNIT Garda Vetting - Overview Garda Central Vetting Unit is based in Thurles Co Tipperary. Garda Vetting is not conducted by Gardai at local level. Organisations seeking Garda Vetting for their employees, volunteers or students must register with the Garda Central Vetting Unit. The function of the Garda Central Vetting Unit is to disclose details regardingg all prosecutions, successful or not, pending or completed, and/or convictions recorded in the State or elsewhere in respect of an individual applicant to a registered organisation. Legislation is currently being drafted which will underpin all current Garda Vetting procedures and broaden the current disclosure framework. Within the current expansion programme the objective is to extend Garda Vetting, on a phased basis, to all organisations employing personnel in a full time, part time, voluntary and/or student placement capacity to work with children and/or vulnerable adults Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 7
Management of Garda Vetting Applications Following registration and training, the Authorised Signatory in the registered Organisation is issued with a registered number for utilisation on all Garda vetting application forms. Authorised Signatory in registered organisationn is liaison person between organisation and G.C.V.U. The Vetting Subject gives their written authorisation on a Garda Vetting application form for the G.C.V.U.. to disclose details of all prosecutions, successful or not, pending or completed, and/or convictions recorded in the State or elsewhere in respect of them to the registered organisation. Forms validatedd by the Authorised Signatory and submitted directly by them to G.C.V.U.. For reasons of data security, details regarding individual applicants will not be discussed over the phone with anyone except the Authorised Signatory who submitted the application form. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 8
Management of Garda Vetting Disclosures All Disclosures received from the Garda Central Vetting Unit should be managed within a Legislative, Human Rights and Natural Justice Framework. Registered Organisations should formulate a policy as to what disclosures affect what positions and appoint a decision maker or decision making committee to assess the suitability of applicants for positions within the organisation. Registered Organisations must make their own decisions in relation to the suitability or otherwise of applicants for positions in their organisation. The function of the G.C.V.U. in the process extends solely to providing a disclosure to the Registered Organisation. There is a dispute procedure in place to manage any instances where a vetting subject disputes any detail contained in their Garda Vetting Disclosure Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 9
Benefits of Garda Vetting Procedures Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. Protection of the Registered Organisation. Management of risk in respect of former offenders. One component part of a professional Human Resource recruitment and selection practice. Key element in the delivery of comprehensive and robust child protection system in this State. Reference Garda Central Vetting Unit Thurles Co. Tipperary. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 10
Timelines and Milestones Jan 2010 Feb 20100 Mar 2010 Apr 2010 Potential NCLO appointed Garda Vetting ACI NCLO. Garda Vetting completed. ACI NCLO s. Appointed Draft Syllabi and Joining Instructions. Roll Out Training to NCLO Draft Syllabi and Joining Instructions issue to CLO May- Dec 2010 Roll out of training courses nationally Organisation SSTRAI IFPAC NCFFI TAFI IFSA 5+5 Assistants APRIL 2010 Commence Training NCLO Potential Candidate NCLO Appointed NCLO Date NCLO 15/Feb/10 NCLO NCLO NCLO NCLO /ANCLO Garda Vetting Completed Approved Date 31/Mar/2010 May-Dec 2010 Roll out Training Courses Nationally Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 11
Element 5 Audit and Review An internal audit and review of documentation, appointments and procedures shall be conducted annually to ensure compliance. Health and Safety and Child Protection shall be the first item on Agenda of all ACI, National and Club Meetings. The reporting procedure as outlined in the guidance document should be followed in all cases; however it must be noted this is only a guidance document and the law takes precedence at all times. Prepared by Bob Seward MSc. H Dip SHWW CMIOSH MILT Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 12
Appendix A National Children s Liaison Officer Nomination Form To Secretary Angling Council of Ireland 13 Joyce Way Park West Business Park Dublin 12 Date / /2010 Re Appointment of National Children s Liaison Officer and Garda Vetting Name of specific National Angling Governing Body Address Secretaries Contact number The executive committee have recommended the following person/s listed below as potential club children s liaison officers Signed Club Chairman NCLO A/NCLO Name Address Name Address Telephone Number PPS Number Local Garda Station Telephone Number PPS Number Local Garda Station Please complete in block capitals. Angling Council of Ireland www.anglingcouncilireland.ie Page 13