Child Protection

Protecting our Young Members

All registered members of Basketball Ireland and each club member must sign up to the Code of Ethics for Children’s Sport and the Code of Conduct when they become a member.

Garda vetting is in place since 2010 (e-vetting since February 2017) and at this point, all those working directly with children in Basketball related activities must be Garda Vetted.

Garda Vetting results are not currently transferable between organisations. In other words, if you as an individual have been vetted for a school, your result will not suffice as being Garda Vetted for Basketball Ireland. We understand that this is inconvenient but we must work with the system that is place in Ireland at the moment.
> More Detailed Garda Vetting information

BI Contacts

NCO (National Childrens Officer) : Rory Wall, safeguarding@basketballireland.ie
Garda Vetting Liaison Person:  Rory Wall, 086-7980155
DLP 1 (Designated Liaison Person):  Triona Leahy, tleahy@ireland.basketball
DLP 2 (Designated Liaison Person): John Feehan, jfeehan@ireland.basketball

Reference Documents

Sport Ireland Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport
The above comprehensive document encompasses all the necessary information and guidance for sports clubs and has been adopted by BI

BI Coaches Code of Conduct BI Child Safeguarding Statement

BI Safeguarding Policy

BI Risk Assessment

BI Bullying Policy

Children First - National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children

Sport Ireland have an excellent Ethics in Sport App available and it is recommended for all Sports clubs, further information here

Sport Ireland Policy on Diversity and Inclusion in Sport

Child Protection Officers

Each club, that have members under 18 years of age, should have a Child Protection Officer.

The Child protection officer should undergo the Code of Ethics training that is run regularly through Sport Ireland and the local sports partnerships. Please check with your Local Sports Partnership for their next scheduled course.
https://www.sportireland.ie/participation/lsp-contact-finder

For Safeguarding Training details via Sport Ireland, please visit -
https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/ethics-test

Club/Organisation Child Protection Officer
The club CPO is the link between the children and the adults within the club and is responsible for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and sports leaders.

The Club should choose an appropriate occasion or method of introduction to all club members especially the children in the club at the earliest possible time in the season. All club members should be aware of who their Child Protection Officer is and how to contact them if needs be. Adults should bring any child welfare concerns they may have to the Club Child Protection Officer or their Designated Person (see below).

The role of the Club/Organisation Child Protection Officer: is explained clearly in the Sport Ireland Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport document.

Club/Organisations Designated Person

Every Club/Organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children.

The Club Designated Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to the Health Services Executive or Social Services (In Northern Ireland) and/or An Garda Siochána/PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a Senior Club person. However, if it is difficult to identify a separate person for this role at club level, the Club Child Protection Officer can be both Child Protection Officer and the Club Designated person as long as they are clear on what is involved in each role.

The Designated Person should either have taken or should take the Code of Ethics course as discussed in the section above on Child Protection Officers.

Report any suspected abuse to your local HSE office during office hours or contact your local Garda Station outside of office hours. The HSE information line is Contact Tel: 1850 24 1850 – they will be able to provide you with local Social Workers contact details.

Sport Ireland have a dedicated page with very informative material for their clubs - Sport Ireland Ethics

They also have produced a detailed document along with Sport NI, Sport Ireland - Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport.pdf

Sport Ireland have an excellent Ethics in Sport App available and it is recommended for all Sports clubs, further information here

TUSLA, the Child and Family Protection Agency also offer their support services. You can contact them by visiting their website - https://www.tusla.ie/ - or by phone on +353-1-7718500.

The role of the Club/Organisation Designated Person: is explained clearly in the Sport Ireland Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport document.

Template Recruitment Forms - Clubs

These Template Recruitment Forms are for reference only and are provided for Clubs to adapt for their Club Recruitment

These are not to be sent to Basketball Ireland as they are for club use as reference only

Application Form for New Junior Members (Under 18 Yrs)

Application Form for BI Sports Leaders (Coaches, Selectors, Team Managers, Referees)

Application Form for Existing Leaders

Application Form for New Volunteers to work with Children

Sample Email to nominated referee

Overnight Travel Form
(Travel With underage children including overnight stays)
Note: This form should be completed for each child on each overnight stay that they attend and each adult travelling with them & retained on file by the Club/Organisation.

Photography/video Permission Form
Note: this form should be completed by anyone who wants to take video or photographs at an event that they have not already declared their intention and should be retained by the club/event organiser