TRAVEL & CHANGING POLICY
Parents are encouraged to travel with the player to all away matches. However, it is recognised this is not always possible. Therefore, when players are transported by team managers and coaches it is recognised that there are extra responsibilities to be considered.
Transport of Children to matches and/or training
a) Parents/guardians must give permission for their children to be transported.
b) Appropriate insurance should be in place by the transporter, and duties conducted in accordance with relevant legislation including the use of seat belts.
c) Only the permitted number of passengers should be allowed in specific transport.
d) Clear itineraries for transport arrangements including collection and drop off details and contact details for the appropriate adults in charge should be provided.
e) Coaches should not allow themselves to be alone with any one child when assisting with transport arrangements.
f) Parents/guardians have a responsibility to ensure that they are fully aware of any transport arrangements and that they are happy with them.
g) Children should be collected promptly, and it is a matter for parents/guardians to make any necessary arrangements.
h) If a parent/guardian is late for collection or drop off, they should contact the coach/transporter immediately.
i) In the event a Child is late being collected efforts should be made to contact the parent/guardian to make whatever other appropriate arrangements can be made.
j) It is a matter for parents/guardians to arrange transport to events for Children unless specific arrangements are made.
k) If a private arrangement is made between two or more parents/guardians with regards transportation of children, they should be aware that there are extra responsibilities placed on those persons who transport players to events, including (a) to (f) above.
Changing facilities
i. As many Children are naturally self-conscious about changing in front of others, the Club requires that players arrive at training and matches already kitted out. On match days, the Club’s team shirt will be provided by the Coaches and the putting-on before the match, and removal afterwards, should be the extent of changing activities in the changing room, or at pitch side.
ii. Where changing facilities are being used by Children, proper supervision is required and will be normally provided by two or more coaches. If there is only one coach available, a parent will be requested to also enter the changing facility.
iii. All persons should be suitable for such supervision, being vetted through Clubs recruitment policy and in line with the Clubs safe procedures.
iv. The Club requires that all adults in such supervisory roles should always balance the need of supervision with respect of the privacy of Children.
v. It is recommended that supervisors are of the same gender as the Children involved.
vi. Contact between other adults and Children should be avoided by careful timing of the changing facilities and adequate notices being put in place. Where mixed changing facilities with adults and children are unavoidable, proper adult supervision is even more important.
vii. Where possible, when mixed gender teams are involved, arrangements should be made to allow for separate changing facilities. Alternatively, this can be accomplished through timing arrangements, changing at home only, allocating rooms or areas which are screened off.
MISSING/FOUND CHILD POLICY
The Club policy is simple and straightforward: If a Child is believed to be missing, efforts should be made to first establish the Child’s whereabouts by contacting the parents/carers. If the Child’s location cannot be established and/or the parents/carers are not available, and where reasonable efforts have been made to contact them, the matter should be reported to the Gardaí.
The club also requests that as soon as anyone thinks a child might be missing, they report it to a Club executive, manager, coach, or match official, immediately.
If an unaccompanied child is found on the club’s premises, and the club is unable to locate the child’s parent or carer, the club will inform the Gardai and ask for their support.