SAFEGUARDING

1. OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFEGUARDING

Clare Area Basketball Board (CABB) is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people who participate in basketball activities organised, administered, facilitated, linked with or sanctioned by CABB.

CABB believes that every child and young person has the right to participate in sport in a safe, inclusive, respectful and enjoyable environment, free from abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, exploitation and inappropriate behaviour.

The welfare and best interests of children will always be our primary consideration.

CABB is committed to creating an environment where children:

• feel safe and welcome;

• are treated with dignity and respect;

• are listened to and taken seriously;

• can participate without fear of abuse or bullying;

• can raise concerns without fear of negative consequences;

• are encouraged to enjoy basketball and develop their skills;

• are protected from inappropriate behaviour;

• are treated fairly and equally;

• have their individual needs and circumstances respected.

This Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed with regard to the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, Tusla guidance and Sport Ireland’s Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport.

2. SCOPE OF THIS STATEMENT

This statement applies to all activities organised, controlled, administered or sanctioned by CABB involving children and young people, including but not limited to:

• CABB league games;

• CABB cup competitions;

• county competitions;

• underage finals;

• representative teams;

• trials and selection sessions;

• development programmes;

• coaching sessions;

• basketball camps;

• tournaments;

• referee and coaching activities involving children;

• basketball clinics;

• presentations and awards;

• travel associated with CABB activities;

• social activities organised by CABB;

• online activities and communications;

• CABB social media activity;

• photographs and video relating to children;

• activities involving CABB volunteers, coaches, referees and officials.

The statement applies to:

● CABB officers;

● committee members;

● coaches;

● assistant coaches;

● referees;

● table officials;

● team managers;

● volunteers;

● development officers;

● children’s officers;

● event organisers;

● administrators;

● representatives;

● visiting coaches;

● volunteers and other adults involved in CABB activities.

Where CABB works with affiliated clubs, CABB recognises that clubs retain responsibility for their own safeguarding arrangements. However, CABB expects all affiliated clubs participating in CABB competitions and activities to comply with applicable Basketball Ireland, Sport Ireland and statutory safeguarding requirements.

3. CHILD-CENTRED APPROACH

CABB will operate a child-centred approach to basketball.

Children and young people will be:

Valued – every child matters.

Listened to – children will be encouraged to express their views and concerns.

Respected – children will be treated fairly and with dignity.

Protected – appropriate measures will be taken to minimise risks of harm.

Included – children will be encouraged to participate regardless of ability, background or circumstance.

Supported – concerns relating to a child’s welfare will be taken seriously.

Sport Ireland identifies a child-centred ethos and the creation of a safe, positive and nurturing sporting environment as fundamental principles of safeguarding in children’s sport.

4. SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES

CABB will operate according to the following principles:

• The welfare and protection of children is paramount.

• All children have equal rights to protection from harm.

• All concerns regarding a child’s welfare must be taken seriously.

• Adults working with children must maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

• Children should never be placed in situations where they are unnecessarily isolated with an adult.

• Physical contact must be appropriate, necessary and proportionate.

• Adults must never use physical punishment.

• Bullying, intimidation, humiliation or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

• Safeguarding responsibilities apply online as well as in person.

• Confidentiality will be respected, but information will be shared where necessary to protect a child.

• CABB will comply with statutory reporting requirements.

• Appropriate recruitment, vetting and safeguarding training will be required.

• CABB will regularly review its safeguarding arrangements.

5. SAFEGUARDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CABB Executive Committee

The CABB Executive Committee is responsible for ensuring that:

• this Child Safeguarding Statement is adopted and reviewed;

• safeguarding is treated as a priority;

• appropriate safeguarding personnel are appointed;

• relevant policies and procedures are implemented;

• safeguarding training is facilitated;

• appropriate vetting arrangements are maintained;

• safeguarding concerns are dealt with appropriately;

• safeguarding records are securely maintained;

• affiliated clubs are informed of relevant safeguarding requirements;

• the organisation continually improves its safeguarding practices.

6. RELEVANT PERSON

The Relevant Person is the first point of contact in respect of CABB’s Child Safeguarding Statement.

The Relevant Person will:

• provide information about the statement when requested;

• ensure the statement is available to staff, volunteers, parents and guardians;

• assist with the implementation and review of safeguarding arrangements;

• liaise with the DLP and CABB Executive Committee as appropriate.

Tusla requires organisations providing relevant services to have a Child Safeguarding Statement which identifies risks and the procedures in place to manage those risks.

7. DESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON- CPO

The DLP will act as the primary person responsible for dealing with child welfare and protection concerns arising within CABB.

The DLP/CPO will:

• receive safeguarding concerns;

• consider information relating to concerns;

• follow the applicable reporting procedures;

• liaise with Tusla and/or An Garda Síochána where appropriate;

• maintain appropriate confidential records;

• consult with the National Governing Body where required;

• ensure concerns are dealt with promptly;

• support CABB personnel who raise concerns.

The DLP/CPO will not investigate allegations of child abuse. Their role is to follow the appropriate reporting and safeguarding procedures.

Where there is an immediate risk to a child, emergency services should be contacted without delay. Sport Ireland specifically advises that a child should never be left in danger and that An Garda Síochána should be contacted without delay where necessary.

8. CHILDREN’S OFFICER / SAFEGUARDING OFFICER

The CABB Children’s Officer/Safeguarding Officer will promote good safeguarding practice throughout CABB.

Responsibilities include:

• promoting a child-centred approach;

• acting as a point of contact for children and parents;

• promoting codes of conduct;

• supporting safeguarding education;

• encouraging children to raise concerns;

• promoting participation and inclusion;

• supporting CABB clubs and volunteers with safeguarding information;

• ensuring children know who they can speak to.

9. SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

CABB will ensure that adults undertaking relevant roles with children have appropriate safeguarding training.

Coaches, Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons are required to undertake the appropriate Sport Ireland safeguarding training applicable to their role. Sport Ireland states that Safeguarding 1 is the basic awareness workshop for coaches, Club Children’s Officers and DLPs, with additional training applicable to Children’s Officers and DLP roles.

CABB will maintain records of:

• safeguarding training;

• dates completed;

• renewal dates;

• relevant qualifications.

Safeguarding certificates will be monitored and renewed in accordance with Sport Ireland/Basketball Ireland requirements. Sport Ireland currently states that Safeguarding 1, 2 and 3 certificates are valid for three years, subject to its current guidance and any NGB-specific requirements.

10. GARDA VETTING

CABB will comply with applicable Garda vetting requirements.

No person will be permitted to undertake relevant work with children where the applicable vetting requirements have not been satisfied.

CABB will follow Basketball Ireland/NGB procedures regarding the processing, recording and renewal of Garda vetting.

Sport Ireland confirms that the National Vetting Bureau legislation provides a statutory basis for vetting people undertaking relevant work with children and that organisations must not permit a person to undertake relevant work unless the required vetting disclosure has been received.

11. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ADULTS

Adults involved with CABB must:

• treat children with dignity and respect;

• provide positive encouragement;

• act as appropriate role models;

• maintain professional boundaries;

• avoid favouritism;

• avoid unnecessary physical contact;

• never humiliate or ridicule a child;

• never threaten or intimidate a child;

• never use physical punishment;

• never engage in inappropriate communication;

• never engage in sexualised communication or behaviour;

• never be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while supervising children;

• report safeguarding concerns;

• respect confidentiality;

• follow CABB and Basketball Ireland policies.

12.CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CHILDREN

Children participating in CABB activities are expected to:

• treat teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and volunteers with respect;

• follow reasonable instructions;

• avoid bullying;

• avoid discriminatory or abusive language;

• respect facilities and equipment;

• play fairly;

• tell a trusted adult if they feel unsafe;

• report bullying or inappropriate behaviour;

• respect other children’s personal space and boundaries.

13. PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents and guardians are encouraged to:

• support their child’s participation;

• communicate concerns appropriately;

• respect coaches, referees and volunteers;

• avoid inappropriate behaviour at games;

• encourage fair play;

• ensure children arrive and are collected appropriately;

• inform coaches of relevant information affecting their child’s participation;

• raise safeguarding concerns with the appropriate CABB/club safeguarding person.

14. REPORTING CHILD WELFARE OR PROTECTION CONCERNS

Anyone involved with CABB who has a concern about a child’s welfare or believes that a child may have suffered abuse should report the concern in accordance with the relevant CABB, Basketball Ireland and statutory procedures.

Concerns may relate to:

• physical abuse;

• emotional abuse;

• sexual abuse;

• neglect;

• exploitation;

• grooming;

• bullying;

• inappropriate adult behaviour;

• inappropriate physical contact;

• inappropriate online communication;

• other behaviour which places a child at risk of harm.

A person who receives a disclosure should:

• Stay calm.

• Listen carefully.

• Take the child seriously.

• Avoid leading questions.

• Do not promise secrecy.

• Do not investigate the allegation.

• Record the information accurately.

• Report the concern to the DLP as soon as possible.

• Follow statutory reporting requirements.

Sport Ireland advises that where a DLP believes there are reasonable grounds for concern, the concern should be reported to Tusla, while immediate danger requires urgent action.

15. CONFIDENTIALITY

All safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and confidentially.

However, confidentiality will not prevent information being shared where necessary to protect a child or where required by law.

Information will only be shared with those who have a legitimate need to know.

Safeguarding records will be stored securely and access will be restricted.

16. RESPONDING TO A CHILD WHO DISCLOSES

If a child discloses abuse or a safeguarding concern:

DO:

• listen;

• remain calm;

• reassure the child;

• tell them they did the right thing by speaking;

• explain that you may need to tell someone who can help;

• record the child’s words as accurately as possible;

• report the concern.

DO NOT:

• interrogate the child;

• ask leading questions;

• investigate;

• confront an alleged perpetrator;

• promise confidentiality;

• express disbelief;

• make accusations;

• attempt to resolve the matter yourself.

17. BULLYING

CABB does not tolerate bullying.

Bullying may include:

• physical bullying;

• verbal abuse;

• social exclusion;

• intimidation;

• discriminatory behaviour;

• cyberbullying;

• harassment;

• persistent teasing;

• threatening behaviour.

All reports will be taken seriously and dealt with in accordance with applicable CABB/Basketball Ireland procedures.

18. ONLINE SAFETY

CABB recognises that safeguarding responsibilities extend to digital and online environments. Tusla specifically identifies online safety as something organisations should consider when completing their Child Safeguarding Statement risk assessment.

CABB will promote safe online practices including:

• appropriate use of social media;

• appropriate communication with children;

• no inappropriate private messaging;

• no sexualised communication;

• no sharing of inappropriate images;

• appropriate group communication;

• appropriate photography/video practices;

• parental awareness where appropriate.

Where possible, communication with underage players should occur through appropriate group channels or through parents/guardians rather than private one-to-one communication.

19. PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

CABB’s Guidelines indicate NO video or photography should take place in any underage games, tournaments or leagues hosted by CABB by spectators in the hall. All photography shall only be taken by league hosts/CABB executives, or Coaches of their own teams ensuring all photo consent guidelines are adhered.

20. TRAVEL

Where CABB-organised travel involving children takes place:

• appropriate adult supervision will be provided;

• relevant safeguarding requirements will apply;

• parents/guardians will be appropriately informed;

• transportation arrangements will be clear;

• appropriate emergency contact information will be available;

• adults transporting children will comply with applicable safeguarding and insurance requirements;

• children should not be unnecessarily isolated with an adult.

21. ONE-TO-ONE SITUATIONS

CABB recognises that there may occasionally be legitimate circumstances where an adult needs to speak privately with a child.

Where possible:

• conversations should take place in an observable environment;

• another appropriate adult should be nearby;

• doors should remain open where appropriate;

• unnecessary one-to-one situations should be avoided;

• the child’s dignity and privacy should be respected.

22. CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILET FACILITIES

Adults should respect children’s privacy when using changing rooms and toilet facilities.

Adults should not enter changing areas unnecessarily.

Where adult intervention is required, CABB will seek to ensure that safeguarding, privacy and dignity are maintained.

23. PHYSICAL CONTACT

Basketball may involve legitimate physical contact.

Any physical contact by an adult must be:

• necessary;

• appropriate;

• proportionate;

• related to coaching, safety or legitimate sporting activity;

• respectful of the child’s dignity.

Physical punishment is prohibited.

24. CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS

CABB recognises that some children may require additional support or reasonable adjustments to participate safely.

CABB will seek to:

• identify individual needs;

• communicate appropriately with parents/guardians;

• make reasonable adjustments where possible;

• ensure children are not unnecessarily excluded;

• ensure additional support does not compromise dignity or privacy.

25. SAFEGUARDING RISK ASSESSMENT

The following risk assessment identifies safeguarding risks associated with CABB activities.

Important: This is a safeguarding risk assessment concerning the potential for harm/abuse to children. It is separate from a general premises, injury, fire or occupational health-and-safety risk assessment. Tusla specifically distinguishes safeguarding risk assessment from general health and safety risk assessment.

Risk rating

Low: Appropriate controls are in place and risk is limited.

Medium: Additional controls/monitoring required.

High: Significant safeguarding concern requiring immediate additional controls.