CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

SECTION 1 – COURTOWN SAILING CLUB INFORMATION

A HOME IN COURTOWN HARBOUR SINCE 1983

Courtown Sailing Club was established in 1983.  It is a family orientated and vibrant club stretches out over the beautiful sandy beaches.  Dinghy racing has grown very popular since the club formed and the season runs from May to September.  The “serious” racing takes place on Sunday mornings.  Fun Sailing on Friday evenings and Adults Sailing on Friday evenings also.  Due to the interest in dinghies the club introduced training for its younger members.  This training has proven to be extremely popular and runs over six weeks.  

Courtown Sailing Club details:

• Name:           Courtown Sailing Club
• Sport:            Sailing and Powerboating
• Location: South Pier, Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Wexford Y25 X9D0
• Size:               120+ memberships, (Family,  Student, Single)
• Activities:       Child Development, Club & Centre Training, Competition, Safeguarding

SECTION 2- PRINCIPLES OF SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN FROM HARM

Courtown Sailing Club is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies our staff, both volunteers and employed, working with our young people, throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop within sport. The following set of principles are adhered to:

• Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood is understood and valued by everyone involved in our sport.
• Needs of the child - All children’s sport experiences are guided by what is best for children. This means that adults have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.
• Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with children in sport are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.
• Fair Play - All children’s sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.
• Quality atmosphere & ethos - Children’s sport should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.
• Competition - Competition is an essential element of sailing and is encouraged in an age appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.
• Equality - All children are valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion.

SECTION 3 - RISK ASSESSMENT

This Courtown Sailing Club written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents require to alleviate these risks.  The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories: 

The Risk Assessment was undertaken on 01 March 2024.

___________________

Sue Longmore

Designated Liaison Person

Courtown Sailing Club

SECTION 4 – PROCEDURES

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015 The Children First: National Guidance, Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure & Practice and Sport Ireland’s Safeguarding Guidance for Children & Young People in Sport.

In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities. 

Courtown Sailing Club adheres to the Safeguarding Polies and Procedures outlined by the Sport’s National Governing body, Irish Sailing. 

Copies of these policies may be found here. https://www.sailing.ie/Library/SafeguardingLibrary: 

• Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities.
• Procedures for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities.
• Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.
• Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities.
• Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons in the relevant service who are mandated persons.

Please note that all procedures listed are available on the IS website see address above

The Mandated Person for Courtown Sailing Club is Carol Cooney and may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 087 974 4060 

SECTION 5 – IMPLEMENTATION

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Courtown Sailing Club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities. 

Please note the following:

• That all staff have been furnished with a copy of this statement.
• This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency and members of the public on request.
• This statement will be displayed on our website at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on display on our noticeboard.

This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed by 31^st January 2022

Signed:                         Sue Longmore, Designated Liaison Person, Courtown Sailing Club

Phone : 087 974 4060  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Date: 01-03-2024                                                 

For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact the above