Child Protection Policy

Gaisce - the President's Award is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its participants and President Award Leaders by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and neglect.

Gaisce - the President's Award accepts that in all matters concerning child protection, the welfare and protection of the young person is the paramount consideration. This child protection policy aims to protect young people and adult volunteer leaders involved in the Award programme.

Codes of behaviour for Staff, Volunteers and Participants involved with Gaisce - the President's Award.

• Volunteers and employees should be sensitive to the risks involved in participating in some contact sports with young people and exercise caution in areas such as swimming pool, showers etc.
  

• Volunteers and employees should be sensitive to the fact that jokes of a sexual nature may be offensive to others and should never be told in the presence of children/ young people.
  

• Volunteers and employees should be sensitive to the possibility of becoming over involved or spending a great deal of time with any one young person.
  

• Where a volunteer/employee has a concern about the nature of a particular relationship involving themselves or another employee, volunteer or young person, they should discuss it with a supervisor or experienced colleague. A PAL or employee should not have a physical relationship with a participant.
  

• It is recommended that each operating body of the Award devise a code of behaviour to which all participants understand, agree and sign up to including anti-bullying.
  

• It is recommended that volunteers/employees be sensitive to the potential risk to personal safety and false allegations which may arise when they meet alone with a young person in a room. Where it is feasible they might consider leaving the door open or informing another colleague that they will be alone in the room with the individual in question.
  

• It is recommended that each operating body develop a positive attitude among young people that respects the personal space, safety and privacy of their peers.
  

• It is recommended if volunteers/employees must give lifts to participants, there should in as far as is possible be two or more participants in the car.
  

• Physical contact of a comforting and reassuring nature is a valid way of expressing concern and care for children and young people, where such contact is acceptable to all persons concerned.
  

• Volunteers or employees must never physically punish or be in any way verbally abusive to a young person.
  

• The ratio of adult leaders to participants is important when doing various activities; a rule of thumb is one adult to every 10 participants. This number may need to vary in accordance with the ratio of male to female participants, the gender of the leaders and the type of activity being undertaken.

Download a copy of Child Protection Policy and Procedure for staff and PALS (Eng)
Download a copy of Child Protection Policy and Procedure for staff and PALS (Ire)