Safeguarding

GAA Safeguarding

For further details on any Safeguarding matters, contact the Tyrone GAA Children’s Officer

Stephen Sherry
childrensofficer.tyrone@gaa.ie

This Code of Behaviour complements the Irish Sports Council (ISC) Code of Ethics and Our Games – Our Code, the joint Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport and addresses the appropriate levels of behaviour, practice and conduct required from our young players, officials, coaches, trainers, mentors, supporters, parents/guardians and clubs.

Download the Sixth edition of the GAA Code of Behaviour Underage. This is the most recent edition as of December 2018.

Íoslódáil Cód Iompair.

For ease of use, download the appropriate section from the sixth edition below:
Code of Behaviour – Underage – Section
The Club – Section
Young Players – Section
Coaches, Mentors and Trainers – Section
Referees – Section
Parents/Guardians – Section
Supporters – Section
Code of Behaviour Declaration Signatory – Section

The Club – Section

County Children’s Officer Presentation
Cyber Safe Ireland
Download a GAA Code of Behavior Poster.
Download a GAA Tackling Bullying Poster.
Íoslodáil Póstaer ar Bhulaíocht.
This Code of Behaviour is jointly promoted by Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (The Gaelic Athletic Association), Cumann Camógaíochta (Camogie Association), Cumann Peil Gael na mBan (Ladies Gaelic Football Association), Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann (Irish Handball Council) and Cluiche Corr na hÉireann (Rounders Council of Ireland) as we promote good practice and assist those who promote and deliver our games to the highest possible standards.

Child Protection Policy Statement
Give Respect – Get Respect
GAA Anti-Bullying Policy Statement
Dealing with Alleged Breaches of the Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport
GAA Social Media Policies & Guidelines
Guidance on Dealing with Alleged Breaches of the Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport
Tackling Bullying Poster – Irish
Tackling Bullying Poster

Access NI

In order to comply with legislation in the 6 Counties and the rules of the Association, all persons working with children or young people in a voluntary or paid capacity, must be vetted prior to commencing their role. Those who are involved in the management of individuals appointed to work with children or young people in your club must also be vetted.

Vetting is carried out by AccessNI for individuals in clubs in Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone, where they return criminal history information on the applicant. This enables Ulster GAA to make more informed recruitment decisions in relation to the suitability of the applicant for the role. Ulster GAA process applications for vetting checks free of charge, for our Volunteers at a clubs request.

We remind all clubs that they should not permit anyone to work with their children or young people in the Club until they have been suitably Vetted and approved for their role. The simple process is as follows:

1. Applicant fills out the Online Application Form
2. Club Officers signs ID Document Copies and forwards same to Ulster GAA
3. Ulster GAA approve the form and the ID and send to Access NI
4. Access NI Process the form and issue the Disclosure Certificate directly to the applicant
5. Ulster GAA write to the applicant to confirm their vetting acceptance
6. If there is information on your Certificate, Ulster GAA will write out to you requesting sight of the certificate in hard copy in its original form, it is vital that you send this on as soon as possible.
7. Ulster GAA risk assess all Enhanced Disclosure Certificates that contain information, where there are areas of concern, we will contact the applicant directly and meet with them to discuss before any decision with regard to their suitability for the position applied is made.
8. Where required, Ulster GAA will meet with club officers to discuss any areas of concern.
   Applicants have the right to appeal any decision made by Ulster GAA in relation to their suitability for the position applied.

Please read the information below to assist you in filling out the Access NI Application Form:

Ulster Council Terms and Conditions 

All clubs must agree to abide by these terms and conditions before checks can be carried out on their behalf.  The club chairperson and secretary sign these along with the nominated officer. NB When there has been a change in personnel in any one of these three positions a new form must be submitted asap.

Applicant Cover Form and 6 digit PIN number 

All applicants must forward the completed cover form along with their signed copies of ID to Ulster GAA.

Template-for-clubs-returning-cover-forms-for-checks

The nominated officer/chairperson/secretary is required to sign off on the original identity documents and then attach photocopies to the ID cover form and send to us. NB we do not require the original ID documents.

Acceptable forms of identity documents can be found at the link below

AccessNI ID July 2018

E-Application Applicant Instructions 

Applicant instructions are outlined on the attached cover form with further information available in the Ulster GAA AccessNI E-Vetting Guidance Document.  Nominated Officers should ask applicants to go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/apply-for-an-enhanced-check-through-a-registered-body  to register and complete their vetting application. Once the applicant has been completed and submitted their application, please ask them to record their 10 digit case tracking reference number onto their cover form and attach copies of ID and return it to the nominated officer.  This cover form must then be forwarded to Ulster GAA via the Club Nominated Officer.

Where the applicant for Vetting by AccessNI is under 18 years of age, the parent/guardian of the applicant must complete a consent form

AccessNI Parental Consent Form

AccessNI E-Application Process Guidance 

This is a step by step guidance document with screen examples to help applicants complete the online application.  This document outlines the process on setting up a new account via the NIDirect website for new account users; how to complete the online application and; how to track their application once it has been submitted for processing.

Please note, Club Nominated Officers should also be aware that Ulster GAA cannot process any online applications without the appropriate copies of ID documents and individual cover forms.  Therefore it is vital that these are submitted to Ulster GAA within one month to allow the online application to be processed accordingly.