Horse Sport Ireland

Training

Safeguarding training policy

Please review the Horse Sport Ireland safeguarding training policy to determine if your role requires safeguarding, training, and the level required and the renewal specifications for the relevant training.

Useful documents for download

HSI Safeguarding Training Policy

Focus Areas

  • Safeguarding training – Republic of Ireland
  • Safeguarding training – Northern Ireland
  • Safeguarding 1 – online refresher

Safeguarding training ROI

Quick Links

Sport Ireland offer three different levels of safeguarding workshops all of which are 3 hours long:

  • Safeguarding 1 – Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Workshop
  • Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer Workshop
  • Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person Workshop

Horse Sport Ireland in partnership with Sport Ireland deliver Safeguarding 1, 2 & 3 workshops through our network of tutors. HSI require that all individuals working with children and young people complete the Sport Ireland safeguarding workshops.

Booking information is available for each Workshop within its section below.

Please contact the office if you need further information in relation to safeguarding training.

Paul Hayes, Sport and Recreation Manager

E: [email protected]

Basic awareness workshop in child welfare & protection

All Coaches, Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course. This course educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.

The Code of Ethics/Safeguarding Children training must be renewed every three years. Horse Sport Ireland as the NGB for equestrian sport advise all our staff/volunteers to follow this through our governance procedures.

Aims of the course:

  • Understanding the rationale behind the “Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport”
  • Identify good practices when working with young people
  • Create a better atmosphere that promotes positive adult-child relationships
  • Identify the role of the athlete, coach, parents/guardians and club
BASIC AWARENESS REGISTRATION
Clubs Children’s Officer (CCO) workshop

A Club Children’s Officer should be child centered in focus and have as the primary aim the establishment of a child centered ethos within the club. S/he is the link between the children and the adults in the club. S/he also takes responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the club management committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders.

A person appointed to the Club Children’s Officer position in a club must have completed the Safeguarding 1 course prior to attending Safeguarding 2. This Safeguarding 2 children’s officer training course will help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out the function of their role in the club and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer action planning document as part of the training.

children’s officer workshop
Designated Liaison Person training

Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TUSLA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochána / PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisation’s child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role.

A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must have completed the Basic Awareness workshop in child welfare & protection and should complete the NEW Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate role.

designated liaison workshop training workshop

There are a number of Local Sports Partnerships across Ireland who also provide Safeguarding training through Sport Ireland that will also be accepted by Horse Sport Ireland. To find a sports partnership near you please click below.

Local Sports Partnership Contact Details

Tusla has developed a universal e-learning training programme called ‘Introduction to Children First’.

The programme has been written to support people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise. The programme is based on Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the Children First Act 2015.

The programme takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete but it can be done in a number of sittings. The programme will allow you to log back in and resume where you left off. It covers topics including:

  • Recognising and reporting child abuse;
  • The role of mandated persons;
  • The responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children;
  • The role of designated liaison persons.

You will need to create an account using an email address to log in and complete the programme. This allows you to complete the training gradually over time. When you have completed the programme, you will receive a certificate of completion directly to your email address. Please click below to complete the training.

Children First E-Learning Programme

Safeguarding Training NI

Sport Northern Ireland offer two different levels of safeguarding workshops both of them are 3 hours long:

Quick Links

  • Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport
  • Designated Safeguarding Children’s Officer (DSCO) suitable for those in DLP role.

During this training, you’ll learn:

  • To understand the background to safeguarding children in sport.
  • To identify best practice procedures to safeguard children in sport.
  • To recognise different categories of child abuse.
  • To identify the signs of poor practice and/or abuse.
  • To respond to poor practice or abuse concerns.

The aim of the workshop is to enable participants to become familiar with the role of a Designated Safeguarding Children’s Officer and develop their competence and confidence in carrying out this role within sport.

Participants must have attended the Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport workshop prior to attending this training.

During this training, you’ll learn to:

  • Understand your roles and responsibilities.
  • Reflect on the communication skills needed for your role.
  • Recognise and respond appropriately to a range of situations that give grounds for concern.

Safeguarding 1
– online refresher

For those who have competed a Safeguarding 1 course face to face previously, can now renew their certificate online through Sport Ireland / Sport NI Online safeguarding refresher courses.

Please not you must have previously attended a Safeguarding 1 Course in a classroom setting or your on-line refresher certificate will not be valid.

N.B. After completing the online test and when prompted to enter your sport please select Horse Sport, when prompted for your NGB please select Horse Sport Ireland, county, club and name are personal to yourself so please complete as such.

Sport Ireland / Sport NI Online Refresher