LGFA Safety Statement & Risk Assessment
Child Safeguarding Statement
Rhode GAA LGFA is committed to the highest standards of care, respect, and protection for children involved in our activities. This statement outlines our unwavering commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring their safety and well-being in all club activities.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
We are dedicated to:
- Protecting children from harm.
- Providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.
- Upholding our legal and moral obligations to protect the children in our care.
Principles of Protection
Our safeguarding principles ensure:
- Every child is respected, valued, and heard.
- Activities are conducted in a manner that prioritizes children’s safety.
- All suspicions and allegations of harm are taken seriously and responded to swiftly.
Risk Assessment
We have conducted a thorough risk assessment to identify potential harms and have implemented measures to mitigate these risks, ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our care.
Key Procedures
Our safeguarding procedures are aligned with legislative requirements and include:
- Training: Regular training for all staff and volunteers on child protection.
- Vetting: Comprehensive vetting processes for anyone working with children.
- Complaint Handling: A clear and confidential process for handling complaints and concerns.
Our Safeguarding Team
- Mandated Persons: Identified individuals within our club who have legal obligations to report harm or risk of harm to children.
- Safeguarding Officers: Dedicated officers responsible for the implementation of our safeguarding policies.
Continuous Review
Our Child Safeguarding Statement is periodically reviewed to ensure its effectiveness and to maintain compliance with all legal standards. This commitment to continuous improvement reflects our dedication to creating the safest possible environment for children.
Join Us in Safeguarding
We invite all members of our community to join us in this vital effort. Together, we can ensure that Rhode GAA LGFA remains a safe, welcoming, and nurturing place for every child.
Risk Assessment Summary
Rhode GAA LGFA is committed to identifying and mitigating potential risks to children in our activities. This summary outlines our comprehensive approach to safeguarding, detailing risks across various scenarios and settings, and our strategies for ensuring the safety and well-being of all child participants.
Coach Qualifications
- Risks: Insufficient training or qualifications among coaches.
- Assessment: Regular audits of coach qualifications.
- Responsible Personnel: Coaching Coordinator.
- Actions: Mandatory ongoing training and certification for all coaches.
Safeguarding Training
- Risks: Lack of awareness on safeguarding procedures.
- Assessment: Annual review of training participation.
- Responsible Personnel: Child Safeguarding Officer.
- Actions: Compulsory safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers.
Activities and Trips
- Risks: Accidents, injuries, or unsafe conditions during club activities and trips.
- Assessment: Pre-event risk assessments.
- Responsible Personnel: Event Organizers and Safety Officers.
- Actions: Implementation of safety protocols and emergency plans.
Online Safety
- Risks: Cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and privacy breaches.
- Assessment: Regular review of digital platforms and communication channels.
- Responsible Personnel: IT and Safeguarding Teams.
- Actions: Secure communication policies, monitoring, and education on online safety.
Bullying
- Risks: Incidents of bullying among participants.
- Assessment: Continuous observation and feedback collection.
- Responsible Personnel: Coaches and Safeguarding Officers.
- Actions: Anti-bullying policy enforcement and awareness programs.
Recruitment Practices
- Risks: Inadequate vetting of staff and volunteers.
- Assessment: Review of recruitment policies.
- Responsible Personnel: Human Resources and Safeguarding Officers.
- Actions: Comprehensive background checks and mandatory safeguarding training.
Communication Policies
- Risks: Miscommunication or inappropriate communication between staff/volunteers and children.
- Assessment: Analysis of communication methods and policies.
- Responsible Personnel: Communications Officer and Safeguarding Team.
- Actions: Development and enforcement of clear, safe communication guidelines.
Proactive Safeguarding
Our club takes a proactive stance on safeguarding, emphasizing the importance of early identification and mitigation of risks. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for all children.
Continuous Improvement
We regularly review and update our risk assessments to adapt to new challenges and ensure the effectiveness of our safeguarding measures. Your feedback is invaluable in this ongoing effort.
