Safeguarding in today’s World
IOA committee members, Paul O’Sullivan Hourihan and Barbara Foley- Fisher attended a seminar entitled Safeguarding in today’s World at the Crowne Plaza hotel, Blanchardstown, on behalf of the Irish Orienteering Association . Hosted by Sport Ireland, aimed at CEO’s of NGB’s of Sport, National childrens officers and the Local Sports Partnership Network.
The primary aim of the seminar was to highlight the importance of Safeguarding in today’s world when it comes to Children in Sport.
An audit framework on Safeguarding for the NGB’s was introduced and it is intended to be implemented in the near future.
MC for the event – Anne Marie Hughes (IRFU Spirit of Rugby programme Manager)
Key note speakers included:
Philip Browne – (CEO IRFU) speaking about implementing Safeguarding and their experience of auditing clubs.
Karen Leach – speaking about her experience and about bringing about change.
Bill Woodside – (Chief Operations Officer – The INEQE group) To provide details on the Audit framework.
Una May – Sport Ireland intent.
How this will effect IOA and O clubs in the future
Sport Ireland have contracted the INEQE group to develop a programme of assessment on Safeguarding in the NGB’s.
The intention is to develop a template for clubs to carry out a self-assessment.
This is then assessed by the NGB’s and available for audit by Sport Ireland as requested. In order for this to proceed a “Best practice,Oversight and self-assessment group” will be developed.
There will be an initial consultation process before the development of the programme followed by a Pilot and roll out.
Once this has been agreed it is hope to supply NGB’s and clubs with templates for self assessment. Training and “HowTo” videos and manuals etc. From the seminar the recommendation could be (to be confirmed) for all clubs to complete a self assessment on a 3 yearly cycle.
This will take some time as a number of things have to happen first to get this project up and running. It is important that all children’s officers and clubs keep up to date with developments in the management of safeguarding.
If anyone has any queries or concerns in relation to safeguarding please contact Barbara at childprotection@orienteering.ie.