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Child Protection & Best Practice: Code of EthicsThe Irish Hockey Association is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its participants. In working with young people our first priority is the welfare of young people. The IHA's Code of Ethics for Young People is a comprehensive document and can be downloaded from this website. Download Code here. This page is broken down into Frequently Asked Questions and help on where you can access details on Code of Ethics Awareness Courses locally. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSIn order to answer some of your questions about Code of Ethics, the National Children's Officer, Jantien Findlater, has answered some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. What is the Code of Ethics?The IHA Code of Ethics for Young People is a framework that everyone in hockey can follow in order to ensure hockey is safe and fun for young people. Amongst others, it includes:
Why does hockey have a Code of Ethics?Hockey wants to provide the best possible environment for all young people involved in the sport. Young people deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free of abuse of any kind. The Irish Hockey Association and affiliates are fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its participants. Every individual in hockey should at all times, show respect and understanding for participants’ rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the guidelines contained in the Irish Sports Council's Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport. In order to support its affiliated branches and clubs, Irish Hockey produced its own Code of Ethics for Young People. What does a Club Children's Officer do?The Club Children's Officer is responsible for ensuring his/her club implements the Code of Ethics and Good Practice. The Club Children Officer should be child centred in focus and have a primary aim of creating a child friendly environment for all those involved in the club. The Club Children’s Officer must hold an up to date Irish Sports Council Code of Ethics Awareness Certificate or the Sport NI Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Certificate. Clubs with a junior section are required by the IHA to appoint at least one Children’s Officer. This Children’s Officer will manage all activities and issues in relation to young people at club level, ensuring that there is a link between the adults and children in the club. This is particularly important should your club become involved in the IHA’s Youth Leader programme. Guidance and support is available from the National and Branch Children’s Officer. Help is also available from the IHA’s Regional Development Officers.For further information on the role of the Children's Officer, please download the following document: Job Descriptions Club Childrens Officer and Designated Person What does a Club Designated Person do?The role of the Designated Person is to report all child protection concerns to the statutory authorities. They should hold an up to date Irish Sports Council Code of Ethics Awareness Certificate or the Sport NI Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport CertificateI and be familiar with the IHA's Code of Ethics for Young People. Regardless of whether your club has a junior section or not, you should have a Designated Person. For further information on the role of the Children's Officer, please download the following document: Job Descriptions Club Childrens Officer and Designated Person Does my club have to adhere to the IHA's Code of Ethics for Young People?Yes! In working with young people in hockey, the first priority of the Irish Hockey Association and its affiliate branches is the welfare of young people and we are committed to providing an environment that will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from abuse, neglect, bullying and intimidation. Help and support is available to your club in order to make sure it adheres to the IHA’s Code of Ethics for Young People. Please see below for all relevant contact details. Is there a difference if my club is based in Northern Ireland?The Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children’s Sport covers all of Ireland. The same principles apply and the same criteria have to be met by clubs throughout the island of Ireland. Although different legislation applies to children’s welfare, the child protection chapter of the ISC/Sport NI code applies to all. In order to discuss Code of Ethics in Ulster, please contact the Development Officers for the branch as follows: Grassroots & Club Development Officer: Dawn Millar, dawn.millar@nicssa.co.uk.
My club doesn’t have a junior section, do we still need a Designated Person?Yes! Every club needs a Designated Person because a club member may have a concern about the activities of another club member in which case there needs to be a reporting procedure in place. Also remember that the Code of Ethics applies to all U18s - whether they are playing on an adult team or an U18s team. The club also needs to assess what should happen to a club member against whom an allegation has been made. How does my club become compliant?The first step is to update your constitution. Your club constitution should have a Code of Ethics policy statement which reflects that the club has signed up to the IHA's Code of Ethics for Young People. This statement should be readily accessible to everyone in the club so that they know this is the case. For example, it could be on your club website or a copy posted in your clubhouse. This will indicate to all of your members that you follow the Code of Ethics. However, it is not enough to simply sign up to the Code - your club needs to follow the procedures that are included within the document. The next step is to appoint a Designated Person and at least one Children’s Officers when the club has a youth section or a significant number of players under 18. Following on from this, you must ensure that everyone involved in your junior section (players, parents, coaches etc) are aware of WHO the Designated Person and the Children’s Officers are. Also, your members must understand WHY they would need to approach your DP or CO. This can be achieved by making these people known at registration or during coaching practice. You may also choose to email this information to parents and members. Additionally, you may decide to hand out flyers with this information. As well as your Club DP and Club CO, anyone within your club that has substantial access to U18s (coaches, leaders, volunteers etc.) must hold the relevant Irish Sports Council or Sport NI certificate. So that's the easy stuff done! The main way of ensuring your club is compliant with the Code of Ethics is to delve into the document to make sure that your club is following the best practice that is contained within it. This ranges from having the correct Recruitment & Selection Procedures in place to having an anti-bullying policy to have a Complaints Procedure up and running. But don't worry - most of the work is already done for you!! The IHA's Code of Ethics document has copies of all of these things, it's a case of adapting them for your club and ensuring that they are implemented. And don't forget, following the Code of Ethics is all about making your club a better place for your members. Who can my club ask for help?There are a range of people that are available to help your club with the Code of Ethics if needed! We would always recommend to contact your branch initially. Contact for the Branch Children's Officers are included below. Contact for the National Children's Officer, Jantien, is also included below. And lastly, don't forget that you can also get in touch with the Development Officers in your area. And once more, contact details are below. ^ TOP ^
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