Irish Shows Association Child Safeguarding Statement

Section 1

The Irish Shows Association is the Governing Body for agricultural shows in Ireland. Agricultural shows provide various activities and opportunities for young people through participation in local, regional and national level.

Affiliate details:

• Erris Agricultural Show
• Agricultural shows activities include various equine activities, livestock, dogs, home produce
• Activities:  Children’s games and Amusements.

Section 2 - Principles to safeguard children from harm

Erris Agricultural Show is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies our volunteers throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop. The following set of principles should be adhered to:

• Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in shows.
• Needs of the child - All children’s activities and experiences in competition should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.
• Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with children in shows are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.
• Fair Play - All children’s activities and competitions should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.
• Quality atmosphere & ethos - Children’s involvement should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.
• Competition - Competition is an essential element of agricultural shows and should be encouraged in an age-appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.
• Equality - All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion.

Section 3 - Risk Assessment

This Irish Shows Association written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents require to alleviate these risks.  The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:

Section 4 – Procedures

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure & Practice and the Children (NI) Order 1995). In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

Irish Shows Association National Governing Body for shows  has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:

• Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by volunteers against a child availing of our activities.
• Procedures for the safe recruitment of volunteers to work with children in our activities.
• Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of     the occurrence of harm.
• Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities.
• Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.
• Procedure for appointing a relevant person.

The Mandated/Relevant Person for Horse Sport Ireland is Paul Hayes.

Section 5 – Implementation

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. The Irish Shows Association is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities.

Please note the following:

• That all staff have been furnished with a copy of this statement.
• This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency and members of the public on request.
• This statement will be displayed in a prominent place by Erris Agricultural Show

The Irish Shows Association Child Safeguarding Plan including all policies and procedures is available on request or at the following webpage for download: www.irishshows.org/rules.

You can also email okeeffe.mary1@mail.com for safeguarding matters if you would like any information sent to you. Also Designated Liaison Person catherinegallagher7@yahoo.ie can be contacted.

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the legislature requirements contained in the Children’s first Act 2015 and the children [NI] 1995 and as required by the ISA.