This is done through a company called Access Northern Ireland and is free of charge. If you or anyone else in your club would like a form, please contact Athletics NI- 02890 602707 or email welfare@athleticsni.org
Our Child Protection policies are through UK Athletics
UK Athletics and the four Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF) have launched the new safeguarding policies and procedures set to bring heightened levels of safeguarding expertise and improved processes throughout the sport across the UK.
Please see below the newly updated Policies, Procedures and Codes of Conduct:
Codes of Conduct
MyConcern has been created by child protection and safeguarding professionals, relentless in their efforts to keep children, young people and adults at risk safe from harm. MyConcern is a simple to use, safe and secure software for recording and managing all safeguarding concerns in any setting.
This system can be used to submit a safeguarding concern by clubs, athletes, coaches, parents or any other individual.
Please click here to Submit a Safeguarding Concern
Thank you for taking time to visit the Athletics Northern Ireland Child Protection section. This section was developed by Athletics NI in partnership with UK Athletics and the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
Athletics is an every-day activity for many children and makes a significant contribution to their well being and development. All athletics clubs have a duty to safeguard children from abuse within our sport. They also have a role in recognising and responding to concerns that a child may be being harmed within another setting, such as the family home. By encouraging all clubs to implement the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport we believe that everyone in athletics will benefit – children, parents/guardians and leaders. For more information CLICK HERE.
Children can be subjected to many forms of unacceptable treatment by adults or indeed by their own peers, which we may never consider being abuse, but none the less the impact of such ill treatment is wide-ranging and impossible to quantify. At a personal level, such ill treatment can completely destroy a child’s sense of worth attacking their self-confidence and self-esteem. At its worst some children can feel that their situation, which if it goes unchallenged, is so hopeless that suicide is their only option.
For further information please contact Athletics NI Welfare Officer;
Allister Woods - welfare@athleticsni.org Telephone. 028 9060 2707
All coaches, officials and club volunteers should have a criminal background check as a matter of good practice in club child protection.
This is done through a company called Access Northern Ireland and is free of charge. If you or anyone else in your club would like to complete a form, please visit the AccessNI section of our website.
Our Child Protection policies are through the UKA Welfare & Safeguarding.
Useful Links:
Athletics Northern Ireland Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Guidance on 'Away Trips' for Clubs & Guidelines on transporting a child in a car
UK Athletics Guidelines for use of photographic and video images of young people
If you are concerned that a young person is at risk of suicide or self-harm, don’t wait until you’re certain - contact the NSPCC helpline for advice and support on 0808 800 5000, by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk or text 88858.
If you are under 18 years or younger, you can call Childline direct to talk about anything that is worrying you. They are open 24/7 and talking to them is totally free.
Call 0800 1111 or visit their website where you can have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email to one of their counsellors.
”Childline is a service provided by the NSPCC. Registered charity numbers 216401 and SC037717.”