LNSC Youth Sailing actively seeks to:

  • Create a safe and welcoming environment, both on and off the water, where children can have fun and develop their skills and confidence.
  • Recognise that safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone, not just those who work with children.
  • Ensure that organised training and events are run to the highest possible safety standards.
  • Be prepared to review its ways of working to incorporate best practice.

We will:

  • Treat all children with respect and celebrate their achievements.
  • Carefully recruit and select all instructor and helpers.
  • Respond swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected or actual child abuse.

Lough Neagh Sailing Club places safety at our foremost priority. We strive to create a safe environment where people can enjoy sailing. We offer well-maintained boats, and provide safety cover on the water with a dedicated safety boat with suitably qualified drivers. We have an ongoing training programme to ensure we have suitably qualified personnel.

Child Protection

The Club has adopted and is committed to observing the Child Protection Policy set out in Appendix A of its Constitution and members in contact and working with young people in the Club shall observe the Code of Conduct set out in Appendix B of the Constitution. Lough Neagh Sailing Club shall use the additional Club Child Protection Policy and Procedures document on child protection to keep its Child Protection Policies current.

For the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child. All members of the Club should be aware of the policy.

Club Welfare Officer

The Club Welfare Officer is Miriam McAtackney who may be contacted on T: 028 3832 1095, alternatively Miriam can be contacted through the LNSC committee, email: info@loughneaghsailingclub.org

Volunteers

The Club Welfare Officer and those instructing, coaching or supervising young people will also be asked to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure.

Good Practice

All members of the Club should follow the good practice guidelines attached (see Appendix E). Those working with young people should be aware of the guidance on recognising abuse (see Appendix A).

Adults are requested not to enter showers and changing rooms at times when children are changing before or after junior/youth training or racing. If this is unavoidable, it is advised that they are accompanied by another adult.

The Club will seek written consent from the child and their parents/carers before taking photos or video at an event or training session or publishing such images. Parents and spectators should be prepared to identify themselves if requested and state their purpose for photography/filming. If the Club publishes images of children, no identifying information other than names will be included. Any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography or the inappropriate use of images should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.

Concerns

Anyone who is concerned about a young member’s welfare, either outside the sport or within the Club, should inform the Club Welfare Officer immediately, in strict confidence. The Club Welfare Officer will follow the attached procedures (see RYA Flowcharts 1 and 2).

Any member of the Club failing to comply with the Child Protection policy may be subject to disciplinary action under Club Rule 3.6 of the Club Constitution regarding Membership.

Reference should be made to the full Child Protection Policy and Procedures document that includes full appendices and additional information.

Click to view our Child Protection Policy

Spread the love