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TRIATHLON: FUN, SAFE & FAIR
FOR CHILDREN / JUNIOR ATHLETES

UNDER CONSTRUCTION 

A crucial function in providing fun safe and fair opportunities for all to participate in triathlon is ensuring the safeguarding of children participating in the sport.

In order to achieve this, Triathlon Ireland has set a number of operating procedures and policies to guide it's staff, affiliated clubs, coaches, volunteers and officials when they are in contact with young people. On this page you will find a summary of key information, along with details of where to find more information, concerning the safeguarding of children in the sport of triathlon.

 

Guiding Authorities:

As an all-Island governing body, Triathlon Ireland is guided by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the Republic of Ireland and the National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in Northern Ireland when dealing with matters concerning the protection and safeguarding of children. Triathlon Ireland is in regular contact with these bodies via a child protection officer's network, and it is these bodies that keep Triathlon Ireland regularly informed with what is legislatively required, and best practice in the area of safeguarding children in sport.

Guiding Documents:

Click each document below to view pdf format

 

Processes, procedures and policies for the involvement of children in triathlon are captured in three key organisational documents. These are:

Triathlon Ireland Safeguarding Code for Young People

This document has been developed to provide a comprehensive resource for the triathlon community; staff, coaches, children, clubs and all volunteers, to provide guidance and direction for ethically and appropriately managing the involvement of children in all aspects of triathlon. It covers a number of areas, including but not limited to: the process of vetting individuals; codes of conduct; the supervision of children on trips and camps; parental consent requirements and what is, and is not acceptable behaviour when coaching and leading children's activities.

This document is regularly reviewed and updated by the Triathlon Ireland National Children's Officer, and approved by the Board of Management. (Board Ratified December 2011)

Triathlon Ireland Manual of Guidance

This document has been developed to provide a comprehensive resource for the triathlon community which sets out policy and procedure in the conduct of affiliated club training and sanctioned club or commercial competition events within the sport of triathlon. With an emphasis on the safety of participants, the Manual covers all triathlon participants, regardless of age, but provides specific requirements for the management of children participating in training and competition environments. 

This document is regularly reviewed and updated by the Triathlon Ireland's Senior Technical Officials, and approved by the Board of Management. (Last Update February 2011)

Triathlon Ireland Human Resources Policy (Staff)

This document has been developed to provide a comprehensive resource for Triathlon Ireland staff concerning employment conditions and policies. The Policy provides specific guidelines regarding the recruitment of staff, in particular the vetting and training processes for positions that will work directly with children; and the procedure for grievances and reported incidents to be managed in both a consistent and effective manner.

This document is regularly reviewed and updated by the Triathlon Ireland's Chief Executive Officer in consultation with TI staff, and approved by the Board of Management. (Last Update March 2011)

What does Triathlon Ireland do to safeguard children within it's sport?

The exact procedures and measures for safeguarding children in the sport of triathlon are detailed in the above mentioned documents. But as a general rule, Triathlon Ireland has policies and procedures in place to ensure all it's officers who are in contact with children have been appropriately trained and vetted to do so. A summary of key functions is below:

* Leader Forms - upon commencement all new staff, coaches, volunteers are required to complete this form with their details, making a declaration of commitment to safe practice and appropriate behaviour within the conduct of their role, and there after on an annual basis.

* Staff Induction - all new Triathlon Ireland staff are provided with a comprehensive induction to the organisation which includes training and guidance concerning the safeguarding of children.

* Reference Checks - all new staff, coaches, and volunteers within the sport from December 2011 will be required to provide two personal character referees who will be contacted by Traithlon Ireland.

* Club Development Initiatives - Triathlon Ireland will continue to provide it's affiliated clubs with information and guidance regarding safeguarding child participants in triathlon. This will occur at Club Development Days, and through consultation with Triathlon Ireland's Club Development Officer/s, staff and technical officials.

* Code of Ethics Child Awareness Training Course - all new staff, coaches, and volunteers within the sport are required to complete the 4 hour training course covering Child Protection Awareness that is currently offered by Local Sports Partnerships around Ireland, and by Local Councils in conjunction with Sport NI in Northern Ireland. Coach accreditation is not provided by Triathlon Ireland until this is completed.

* First Aid Training Course - all new coaches within the sport are required to complete the 4 hour training course covering Child Protection Awareness that is currently offered by Local Sports Partnerships around Ireland, and by Local Councils in conjunction with Sport NI in Northern Ireland. Coach accreditation is not provided by Triathlon Ireland until this is completed.

* Vetting Process - all new staff, coaches, and volunteers within the sport are required to Access NI (Nothern Ireland) or Garda (ROI) Vetted. Officials are not assigned to junior events and Coach accreditation is not provided by Triathlon Ireland until this is completed. Garda Vetting process is through Triathlon Ireland only.

 

 

Other Resources & Forms:

Click each form below for pdf format

CLUBS

 

• Steps for Clubs with Junior Members of Triathlon Ireland

• Safeguarding Useful Contacts

JUNIOR ATHLETES

• Form 11 -Junior Athlete Parental Consent

  This is an information form that is required for the parents/guardian to complete and give to the club coach or TI personnel for children / junior athlete participating in activities of the organisation in line with the Triathlon Ireland Safeguarding Code for Young People and Manual of Guidance. It is not the Junior Membership Form - Please see Below "to Become a Junior TI Member".
  

• Form 11a - Triathlon Ireland Absent Parental Consent
  Where a parent or guardian is unavailable to attend an event with a junior member, they can appoint a substitute and give full permission for the that person to attend with their child in the parents absence. This must have original signature and be sent to the appropriate coach at TI.
   
• From 14 - Travel Permission
  Parental Travel Permission& Emergency Contact Form must be compelted for all junior athletes travelling for / to triathlon training camps/ events/ races while in the care of leaders other than their parents.
• To Become a Junior TI Member
  For just €1, All children who are members of Triathlon Ireland will be covered by our insurance at all events sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland.From this link Parents/Guardians must complete a Form 7 Junior Membership Parental Approval and Waiver and post into TI Membership.More information availabel on the link above.
  
  
• Safeguarding Useful Contacts

JUNIOR LEADERS

• Form 8 - New Leader Information
  New Leader form is for all leaders working with children representing TI or TI affiliated club, in compliance with Irish Sport Council and Sport NI.
  Leader means: Any person, whether paid or unpaid with responsibility for children; roles include but not limited to children’s officer, designated persons, supervisor, team manager, sports science personnel, volunteers, committee members, tutors, coaches.
   

• Form 10- Existing Leader Information
  Existing Leader form is completed on an annual basis the year after the Form 8 - New Leader Information has been completed at TI. 
   
• Form 12 - Incident Reporting
  An Incident report form should be completed with any incident involving a junior athlete. Remember to maintain confidentiality on a need to know basis – it will help protect the child. Do not discuss this incident with anyone other than those who need to know.
   
• Form 13 - Accident Reporting
  An Accident reporing form should be completed with any accident involving Junior athletes. Remember to maintain confidentiality on a need to know basis.
   
• Safeguarding Useful Contacts

TRIATHLON IRELAND

• Form 9 - Recruitment Reference
  CONFIDENTIAL This form can be used as a telephone reference or used as a written reference. It will be used while checking references for any persons working with Junior athletes. Any information will be treated with due confidentiality.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I'm a coach with my TI affiliated triathlon club in Newry -  do I need to be Vetted by Access NI in the North, or the Garda Vetting Unit in the ROI, or both?

A: As a general rule, everyone who has regular coaching contact with a person under the age of 18 must be vetted. As part of the accreditation process, all Triathlon Ireland accredited coaches (eg Level 1, 2) are vetted before their coaching accreditation is awarded. Concerning Access NI v Garda Vetting, if you are coaching solely in either jurisdiction vetting must be conducted for this jurisdiction, and if you are conducting coaching sessions with children in both, then vetting must occur by both Access NI and the Garda Vetting Unit. (More info in Triathlon Ireland Safeguarding Children Policy)

 

Q: I'm a coach with Swim Ireland and have been vetted there. Do I need to be vetted by Triathlon Ireland also?

A: When it comes to vetting, the individual coach or volunteer must be individually vetted by each organisation it works with, in both the case of Access NI and Garda Vetting (More info in Triathlon Ireland Safeguarding Children Policy.

Q: I'm a coach with Swim Ireland and have been vetted there. Do I need to be vetted by Triathlon Ireland also?

A:

Have a question?

Chances are that others in the triathlon community have the same query. Please drop us a note at the "Contact Us" section of this website so it can be included on this page.

 

Who to Contact?

For more information, you can contact the following:

Mary T Dawson	National Child Protection Officer    nco@triathlonireland.com	01 276 4934
Matt McKerrow	Authorized Signatory Garda Vetting - Southern Ireland ceo@triathlonireland.com	01 276 493
Conal Heatley	Authorized Signatory Access NI Vetting- Northern Ireland secretary@triathlonireland.com	+353 83 3746607

 

Guiding Authority Information:

For more information, you can contact the following:

Irish Sports Council

• http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Participation/Code_of_Ethics/

• Read "Children First" the HSE Document that guides the Irish Sports Council here

NSPCC

• http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/cpsu/cpsu_wda57648.html

• Read the Frequently Asked Questions from their website here