At Kilkenny Gymnastics Academy, we abide by the Rules & Regulations set out by our Governing Body, Gymnastics Ireland. To download a copy of their policies, click here.
All gymnasts & parents at KGA are required to abide by the Code of Conduct set out to ensure the protection of our gymnasts. Please read through Gymnastics Ireland’s Code of Conducts for: Young Gymnasts (here) and Parents/Guardians (here). View our Child Safeguarding Statement (here)
Club Children’s Officer: Martina Johnston info@kilkennygymnastics.ie
Child Safe Guarding Statement 2023
As an affiliated Club to Gymnastics Ireland, we provide sporting activities and opportunities for young people though participation in our club, national events, and national teams. We are committed to safeguarding children in our Club under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies. All individuals working with our young members in our Club, seek to create a safe environment for young people to participate in our activities.
Principles to safeguard children from harm
This statement recognises that in accordance with legislation and with the requirements of our Policies that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that all children have a positive, developmental, and enjoyable experience of Gymnastics and when participating in our activities that they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment where everyone is respected.
Risk Assessment
As per Section 11 (7) of the Children First Act 2015, our Club has undertaken a review of our child safeguarding statement & in conjunction with the review, we conducted a risk assessment of the potential for harm to children when they are participating in and attending our activities under the following headings: Club and Coaching Practices; Complaints & Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications/Social Media and a further heading of General Risk of Harm. Below is a list of areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.
RISK IDENTIFIED | PROCEDURE/POLICY IN PLACE |
Risk of harm including assault, ill treatment or neglect of a child in a manner that seriously affects or is likely to seriously affect the child’s health, development or welfare or sexual abuse of a child. | Child Safeguarding Policy – reporting procedures for staff & volunteers Recruitment Policy |
Risk of harm of abuse when hosting an activity and or an away trip | Child Safeguarding Policy – Hosting, Away Trips, Supervision, Transport & Codes of Conduct |
Risk of harm of online abuse through social media | GI Social Media Policy |
Bullying of a child | Child Safeguarding Policy – Anti-Bullying Policy & Safeguarding Training |
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015, Children’s First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), the Children (NI) Order 1995, Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice 2017.
The procedures contained in our risk assessment support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our services. We have the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Code and Policies:
- Procedure in respect to the management of allegations of abuse against any member, non-member or staff or volunteer of a child
- Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of any individual with regard to their suitability to work with children
- Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training (face to face/virtual) and information including the identification of the occurrence of harm
- Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Gymnastics Ireland, Tusla (ROI) and or Gateway Team (NI)
- Procedure for appointing a) a relevant person – the Club Children’s Officer shall be the relevant person, first point of contact in respect of this statement and b) Designated Liaison Person and Children’s Officer in our Club
Procedure for maintaining a list of Club members who are Mandated Persons (if known), in accordance with the Children First Act 2015 regardless of what role (if any), they hold in the Club
The Gymnastics Ireland Mandated Person, who has a legal obligation to report harm of children as per Children First Act 2015 is Dermot Howlin (Policy, Welfare & Compliance Manager), email dermot@gymnasticsireland.com or phone 01/6251125
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015.
Jamie Mullen / Sharon Doyle (Club Chairpersons)
Martina Johnston (Club Children’s Officer)
Inclusion Statement
“To value the ability and individuality of all members with a disability by taking all reasonable steps to provide each individual with the opportunities they need to reach their full potential as active gymnastics participants within an inclusive environment.”
Kilkenny Gymnastics Academy aims to promote, nurture & support:
- An inclusive culture, recognizing that every person is an individual and has their own learning style thus promoting disability inclusion throughout the sport.
- The identity of each person attending the sport and aim to ensure that their emotional and physical wellbeing is always of paramount importance.
- The provisions of inclusive environments and facilities at both national and club level.