Safeguarding Statement

Our Commitment to Safeguarding Children
 
At Tallaght Sports Complex, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people who use our facilities is of paramount importance.
As a community sports facility, we welcome children and families through a wide range of activities including swimming lessons, seasonal camps, recreational swimming, sports and fitness activities, children's programmes and other organised activities.
 
We are committed to providing a safe, positive, inclusive and enjoyable environment where children and young people can participate in sport, physical activity and recreation and where they are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
 
Our approach to safeguarding is guided by the principles of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, and relevant safeguarding guidance from Sport Ireland and applicable National Governing Bodies.
 
Sport Ireland's safeguarding guidance places particular emphasis on creating sporting environments in which children can be seen, heard and helped, while Swim Ireland identifies safety, respect, child-centred practice, appropriate training and clear procedures for raising concerns as core safeguarding principles.
 
Our Safeguarding Principles
Tallaght Sports Complex recognises that every child and young person has the right to participate in sport and recreation in a safe and supportive environment.
We are committed to:

• Putting the welfare and best interests of children first.

• Treating all children and young people with dignity and respect.

• Providing an environment that is welcoming and inclusive.

• Taking reasonable steps to protect children from abuse, bullying, harassment, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm.

• Encouraging appropriate and respectful behaviour between staff, coaches, instructors, volunteers, parents, guardians and children.

• Taking safeguarding concerns seriously and responding to them appropriately.

• Ensuring that safeguarding information is treated sensitively and shared only where appropriate.

• Maintaining appropriate safeguarding procedures for activities involving children.

• Supporting staff and others working with children to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

These principles reflect current Sport Ireland and Swim Ireland safeguarding guidance, including the importance of child-centred practice, accountability and clear procedures for recognising and reporting concerns.
 
Staff, Coaches and People Working With Children
Tallaght Sports Complex recognises that appropriate recruitment, training and supervision are important parts of creating a safe environment for children.
 
Where required for their role, individuals working with children are expected to undergo the appropriate Garda Vetting and safeguarding training and to follow the safeguarding policies, procedures and codes of conduct relevant to their activities.
Staff, coaches and instructors are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and provide children with a positive sporting experience.
 
Safeguarding training is an established part of Irish sporting safeguarding practice, for example, Tusla Childrens First Programme
 
Recognising and Reporting Concerns
Any concern relating to the safety or welfare of a child should be taken seriously.
 
Tallaght Sports Complex has procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns and will act in accordance with its obligations under relevant child safeguarding legislation and guidance.
 
Where there are reasonable grounds for concern regarding the welfare or safety of a child, the matter will be handled appropriately and, where required, referred to the relevant statutory authorities.
 
Information relating to safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and only shared with appropriate individuals or organisations where necessary to protect the child or meet legal and safeguarding obligations.
 
Safeguarding Risk Assessment
In accordance with our safeguarding responsibilities, Tallaght Sports Complex recognises the importance of identifying potential risks of harm to children participating in our services and having appropriate policies, procedures and practices in place to minimise those risks.
 
Areas considered as part of safeguarding include activities such as:

• Swimming lessons and pool activities

• Children's sports and recreational programmes

• Seasonal camps

• Changing and changing-room environments

• Drop-in and supervised children's activities

• Interaction between children and staff, coaches or instructors

• Photography and video

• Online and social media communications

• Collection and departure arrangements

• Bullying or inappropriate behaviour

• Physical contact where required as part of coaching or instruction

• Activities provided by third-party clubs, coaches or instructors using the Complex

Sport Ireland describes the safeguarding risk assessment as an important part of the Child Safeguarding Statement, identifying potential risks of harm and the procedures used to manage them.
 
Clubs, Coaches and External Activity Providers
Tallaght Sports Complex is also used by independent clubs, coaches, instructors and activity providers.
 
Where an activity involving children is organised and operated independently by an external organisation or instructor, that provider is responsible for maintaining appropriate safeguarding arrangements for its activity, including compliance with applicable safeguarding, vetting and child protection requirements.
 
Tallaght Sports Complex expects organisations and individuals providing activities for children within the facility to take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously and maintain appropriate standards of conduct.
 
Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians also play an important role in creating a safe and positive sporting environment.
We ask parents and guardians to:

• Treat children, staff, coaches and other families respectfully.

• Follow the rules and procedures associated with individual activities.

• Provide accurate emergency and medical information where required.

• Ensure children are appropriately dropped off and collected in accordance with the arrangements for their activity.

• Raise any concern about a child's welfare with an appropriate member of staff.

• Respect rules relating to photography, filming, changing facilities and other children's privacy.

Photography, Video and Social Media
The privacy and dignity of children must be respected when photographs or video are being taken within Tallaght Sports Complex.
Photography, filming and social media involving children should only take place in accordance with applicable policies, permissions and safeguarding procedures.
 
Particular care should be taken around swimming pools, changing areas and other environments where children may be particularly vulnerable.
Swim Ireland's safeguarding framework specifically includes policies covering filming and photography, social media, physical contact, supervision and communication with young people.
 
Bullying and Inappropriate Behaviour
Tallaght Sports Complex wants every child to feel welcome and safe when participating in activities at the Complex.
 
Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, abusive behaviour or other conduct that could negatively affect a child's welfare is not acceptable.
 
Concerns about behaviour should be brought to the attention of a member of staff so that appropriate action can be taken.

Raising a Safeguarding Concern
If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of a child while participating in an activity at Tallaght Sports Complex, please raise it with a member of staff or our designated safeguarding contact.
Designated Liaison Person / Safeguarding Contact:
Karla Mc Auley, or Rhonda Yeates
Tallaght Sports Complex
Balrothery, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Telephone: 01 451 5105 / 01 451 5882
Email: tallaghtsportscomplex@gmail.com
 
Where appropriate, safeguarding concerns may also be reported to Tusla – Child and Family Agency or An Garda Síochána.
 
Review of This Statement
Tallaght Sports Complex is committed to keeping its safeguarding practices under review.
This Child Safeguarding Statement and the associated safeguarding risk assessment will be reviewed periodically and whenever there is a material change to the services we provide to children and young people.
Date of statement: 28th August 2026
Date of next review: 1st January 2026
Signed: Glenda Murphy Smullen, Complex Manager