Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport

The Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland published a joint Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in 2000. This major joint publication recognised the commitment of both Councils to ensure that young people are safeguarded in their participation in sport in the island of Ireland.

The Code has been adopted and implemented by governing bodies of sports, clubs, local sports partnerships and community/voluntary groups on an ongoing basis since 2000. It has been encouraging to see the common sense approach to the adoption of the code at grass roots level, which has resulted in protection for young people and leaders.

If young people are to stay involved in sport throughout their adult life, they need to be equipped with the fundamentals to remain involved with sport and physical activity. Equally we need to ensure that their early experiences are positive and enjoyable, irrespective of their ability, gender, social class, race, etc.

It is encouraging to see adults, both volunteers and professionals, contribute to these positive experiences by acting as role models in all dealings with young people. In particular the work of Children's Officers at club and national level is instrumental in implementing the Code. We need to build on this valuable work to ensure that all young people see sport and physical activity as an important and valuable aspect of their lives that they will sustain throughout their adulthood.

The review of the Code in 2005 ensures that the policies and procedures that we implement at all levels in sport are up-to-date and in line with relevant documents, current best practice and legislation throughout the island of Ireland.

Code of Ethics - 3hr Basic Awareness workshop

The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport 3-hour Basic Awareness workshop is rolled out by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership in the interest of the welfare and protection of children in our local clubs. Tutors are Irish Sports Council-trained, and participants receive a Certificate of Attendance on completion of the course.

Child Welfare and Protection in Sport is the responsibility of all involved in promoting sport for young people.
'The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport' in Ireland is designed to provide guidance for those working with young people in sport.

The workshop will highlight the main principles of the Code and look at measures that clubs can take to create and maintain the safest possible environment for sport for young people.

As well as undertaking child protection training, all clubs are encouraged to adopt child protection policies and procedures as outlined in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport. Is recommended that all coaches and volunteers within a sport club attend the training.

For a list of 2012 Basic Awareness Workshops please click here...

To book a place please contact Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 01 271 9502.

Children's Officer workshop

Children's Officer training is the next stage in this module and is six hours in duration.
Recommendations from the Irish Sports Council is that every club involved with children and young people should appoint a Children's Officer.

The Children's Officer should be child centred in focus and should have as their primary aim the establishment of a child centred ethos within the club. They are the link between the children and the adults in the club and also take responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy etc. impacts on children and their Sports Leaders.

The Children's Officer should have the following functions:

To promote awareness of the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland within the club and particularly among the children and their parents/guardians. This could be achieved by the production of information leaflets, the establishment of children's/age-group specific notice boards and by regular information meetings for the children and their parents/guardians.
To influence policy and practice within the club in order to prioritise children's needs.

There are two Children's Officer Course in 2012 from 10.00am-5.00pm:

1) Saturday 3rd March 2012- Johnstown Pastoral Centre, Killiney

2) Saturday 17th November 2012- Johnstown Pastoral Center, Killiney.