Setting up a Junior Section

Safeguarding Steps for Setting up a Junior Section in a club

Northern Ireland

1. Complete Children First compliance documentation.  Although this is not legally required in NI we ask that all clubs complete this for consistency and best practice. This includes a Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement . The Safeguarding statement must then be displayed on the Club website or on club premises at junior sessions. See guidance notes here.
   
2. Appoint a club Childrens’ Officer. This person must complete two Safeguarding courses:  1)Safeguarding children and young people in sport and 2)Designated Safeguarding Children’s Officer. See requirements for the role of Club Children’s Officer here. 
   
3. Every person in the club who will be engaged in regulated activity with the junior athletes (under 18) must undergo an Access NI check  prior to beginning their role. See information and forms for both here. 
   See definition of regulated activity here. 
   See further guidance from the Child Protection in Sport Unit regarding eligibity for Access NI checks here.
   
4. Every person in the club who will be in continuous or regular contact with the juniors must sign a TI Code of Conduct. These should be uploaded to their TI membership account.
   
5. Parents of juniors joining the club must complete or update a Form 11 annually. This form should be held by the Childrens officer.
   
6. Inform Triathlon Ireland that  you are setting up a junior section so that junior membership can be added to your club membership options. Juniors may train with the club 3 times before they must become TI and club members.

Republic of Ireland

1. Complete Children First compliance documentation.  This is a legal requirement for clubs in the Republic of Ireland. This includes a Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement. The Safeguarding statement must then be displayed on the Club website or on club premises at junior sessions. See guidance notes here.
2. Appoint a Club Childrens’ Officer (CCO). This person must complete Safeguard 1 (Child Welfare and Protection, Basic Awareness course) and Safeguard 2  (Club Children’s Officer course). See role description for CCO here.
3. Appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP). This person must complete Safeguard 1 and Safeguard 3 (Designated Liaison Person course).  The same person may cover both the CCO and DLP roles. See role description for DLP here.
4. Every person in the club who will be in continuous or regular contact with the juniors must undergo Garda Vetting. See information and forms here.
5. Every person in the club who will be in continuous or regular contact with the juniors must complete a Safeguard 1 course within 3 months of beginning their role. The certificate should be uploaded to their TI membership account.
6. Every person in the club who will be in continuous or regular contact with the juniors must sign a TI Code of Conduct. These should be uploaded to their TI membership account.
7. Parents of juniors joining the club must complete or update a Form 11 annually. This form should be held by the Childrens officer.
8. Inform Triathlon Ireland that  you are setting up a junior section so that junior membership can be added to your club membership options. Juniors may train with the club 3 times before they must become TI and club members.

Although it is not compulsory, larger clubs may wish to set up a Junior committee. Junior committee functions would include

• Organising Junior training session
• Organising Junior events
• Ensuring Junior coaches are fully qualified or supervised and the correct ratio is observed.
• Ensuring Junior coaches/leaders have completed TI Safeguarding.
• Ensuring Juniors are aware of who the club Children’s Officer is and what their rights are as junior club member.
• Representing Junior members on the main club committee.
• Ensuring safe recruitment of volunteers and coaches to work with the juniors- see policy below.

POLICY DOCUMENTS

Safeguarding Policy Docments
Safety Guidelines for Adult Sessions 
Safety Guidelines for Junior Sessions

Forms for Clubs

The following forms must be used where relevant and stored confidentially by the Club Children’s Officer. 

Form 11 Junior Athletes Parental Consent Form

Form 11a Junior Athlete Absent Parental Consent Form 

Junior Accident/Incident Report Form

Form 15 Volunteer induction Template

Become a Junior Member 

Safeguarding Contact List

Safeguarding Contact in Triathlon Ireland:
Niamh O’Gorman.
email: niamh@triathlonireland.com  Phone: (01)2741032

Safeguarding useful contacts List

Related Links:

• Garda Vetting and Access NI Details on how to apply for vetting