Vetting and Safeguarding

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Vetting and safeguarding help us to keep our sport safe for all of our members. We have a range of documents and resources to help our Clubs make sure that they are up to date and compliant with the relevant regulations and legislation.

We aim to provide a safe, structured, inclusive, friendly environment for all members through our clubs and providers. We are committed to good practice which protects children and vulnerable adults from harm. Staff and volunteers accept and recognise their responsibility to provide an environment which promotes safety at all times.

The legislation in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is based on a clear and consistent set of principles, designed with the common aim of promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Children and vulnerable adults have the right to be safe; all coaches should ensure that this fundamental principle takes precedence over all other considerations. Our vetting and safeguarding policies are free and apply to all those involved in Rowing Ireland, including coaches, administrators, officials, volunteer drivers, parents and participants

Therefore, any Rowing Ireland member that interacts with any participant under the age of 18, must complete a Child Safeguarding Course. Vetting is also mandatory for all members of Rowing Ireland, the regions, clubs and any person seeking to engage with junior members and vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding

Rowing Ireland believe that we, and our clubs, have a duty to promote a positive experience and safeguard children and vulnerable persons from abuse or poor practice. By encouraging all clubs to implement the following guidance, we believe that everyone in rowing will benefit – participants, carers and coaches.

We have produced a free safeguarding guidance document for clubs, to compliment our Safeguarding Policy. This can be downloaded below.

Club Self-Assessment Child Safeguarding Audit – templates of the documents required as part of the audit can be downloaded by clicking here.

What clubs should do?

In Northern Ireland the Club framework for safeguarding standards in sport clubs is applicable, with a self-assessment checklist document for sport. This is based on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) sponsored document for the voluntary sector, called Getting It Right. Clubs in the Republic of Ireland can still use the framework as a guide.

  • Designated Officer RoI:  Tom Fennessey –  086 830 8610
  • Designated Officer NI: Brenda Ewing – 07979 253 900

To support clubs in implementing best practice we have produced a range of documents which are available below.

For further information, please contact the Child Protection in Sport Unit www.thecpsu.org.uk or pstephenson@nspcc.org.uk 

Vetting

There are two types of vetting checks available to Rowing Ireland – through the National Vetting Bureau and Access NI; both checks are free and applicable to members of Rowing Ireland.

Rowing Ireland is a Registered Organisation with the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) with two appointed Liaison Persons; Ceara O Connor (events@rowingireland.ie) and Pat Kiely (clubsupport@rowingireland.ie).

To begin the vetting process, send a completed NVB 1 Form (download below) plus two forms of proof of identity equating to 100 points (for guidance on this see 100 points document below) either via email to Ceara or Pat or by post to the National Rowing Centre.

Those under the age of 18 who require vetting should complete NVB 3 Form along with parent/guardian consent (download below).

RI Ulster Branch, as a regional body of Rowing Ireland, is a Registered Body with Access NI (ANI), with one appointed Lead Signatory.

This video outlines the Garda Vetting Process for Clubs in the Republic of Ireland:

Downloads

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