In 2000, the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland (Sport Northern Ireland) produced the first edition of the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport to help safeguard and protect children and young people in sport.
In order to assist sports clubs to assess their progress and be clear on what it means to implement the code, the Irish Sports Council and Sport Northern Ireland promote this all-Ireland safeguarding framework (PDF). It was most recently updated in November 2013.
About the framework
The framework is based on current good practice for the voluntary sector as outlined in Our Duty to Care. Drawing from the field of safeguarding within sport, it is informed by legislation and guidance, evidence from research, and experience of what works.
The framework provides a set of standards of good practice for clubs to work towards. These standards raise awareness and help organisations know what they need to do to protect children involved in sport, and to minimise avoidable risks.
When implemented fully, the standards should provide parents with increased confidence and peace of mind. Most importantly, they should help create safer environments for children, where those children can enjoy and get the very best from their involvement in sport.
Download the framework (PDF)