Policies and Procedures

The Lakeshore Striders AC Bullying Policy aims to create a safe and respectful environment by defining bullying, including verbal, psychological, physical, and cyberbullying, and outlining warning signs. It establishes a clear reporting process, emphasizing confidentiality and early intervention, with a "No Blame" approach to encourage accountability and resolution. The policy also details preventative measures, disciplinary actions for repeat offenders, and support for victims to ensure bullying is effectively addressed within the club.

Athletics Ireland’s Child Safeguarding Statement outlines the club’s commitment to creating a safe environment for children by adhering to safeguarding policies and principles such as fair play, equality, and child-centered competition. A detailed risk assessment identifies potential harm, including issues in coaching practices, supervision, recruitment, and reporting procedures, with specific policies in place to mitigate these risks. 

The statement also describes procedures for handling allegations of abuse, safe recruitment of staff and volunteers, access to safeguarding training, and reporting concerns to statutory authorities. Implementation includes distributing the statement to volunteers and staff, making it publicly accessible, and reviewing it every two years to ensure ongoing compliance.

As an affiliated club of Athletics Ireland (AI), we operate under their guidance, safeguarding code and policies, all of which are in line with requirements laid out under the Children First Act 2015.

In line with best practice in Child Welfare, and fully adhering to Athletics Ireland's recommended processes and policies in this area, we have adopted many of their policies while also customizing certain policies to be Club specific. These policies are here: Child Welfare and Safeguarding

The Lakeshore Striders AC Codes of Conduct ensure that coaches, volunteers, junior members, and parents uphold the highest standards of respect, safety, and sportsmanship within the club. These codes provide clear guidelines on behavior, responsibilities, and expectations, helping to create a positive and supportive environment for all athletes. By following these codes, the club can promote fairness, prevent misconduct, and protect the well-being of its members, particularly young athletes.

• Code of Conduct for Children and Young Athletes

• Code of Conduct for Coaches and Sport Leaders

• Code of Conduct for Parents

The Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children in Athletics is intended to provide guidelines for those working with young people in athletics. It is not a definite legal interpretation of the legislation, but failure to comply may have legal implications or consequences. The code outlines best practice with regard to working with children to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all. It also outlines the fundamental principles and policies and addresses issues relating to the roles and responsibilities of people involved in athletics with children.

The Lakeshore Striders AC Complaints and Disciplinary Policy outlines the process for handling misconduct, ensuring fairness and transparency while following Athletics Ireland's Code of Ethics. Complaints are first reviewed by the Children’s Officer, with a disciplinary committee formed if necessary, and sanctions ranging from warnings to suspension or exclusion. An independent appeals committee is available for those wishing to challenge decisions, with unresolved cases escalated to Athletics Ireland if required.

Athletics Ireland collects and processes personal data from members to register and administer their involvement in the sport, ensuring compliance with GDPR. Data is retained for varying periods depending on its type, with competition results kept indefinitely while other records are deleted after set timeframes. Personal data may be shared with affiliated clubs and athletic partners for competition purposes but will not be transferred to third parties without consent. Members can contact the Data Protection Officer for concerns and have the right to withdraw consent or escalate complaints to the Data Protection Commissioner. 

View the full policy document at the Athletics Ireland site.

Link to the incident report page.

Athletics Ireland’s guidelines for missing and found children at sports events outline procedures to ensure child safety. If a child is found, they are taken to a Safe Area, supervised by vetted adults, and reunited with their guardian or handed over to the Gardaí if unclaimed. If a child goes missing, an immediate search is conducted, parents are notified, and the Gardaí are contacted if the child is not found within 20 minutes, with detailed records maintained throughout the process.

The Lakeshore Striders AC Photography and Social Media Policy ensures that images of children are used appropriately for club promotion while safeguarding their privacy and safety. It outlines acceptable types of images, the requirement for parental consent, and restrictions on unauthorized photography and social media use. The policy also includes guidelines for reporting inappropriate image use, storage and deletion of photos, and the proper management of the club’s social media platforms to prevent misuse.

The Lakeshore Striders AC Safe Recruitment Policy ensures that all volunteers, coaches, and officials working with children undergo Garda Vetting and appropriate safeguarding training, following Athletics Ireland’s procedures. The Club Children’s Officer (CCO) oversees vetting, safeguarding compliance, and child protection awareness, while the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is responsible for reporting child welfare concerns to Tusla or An Garda Síochána. Contact details for both roles are available on the club’s website to ensure transparency and accessibility.