Safeguarding.
Keeping children and young people safe
Children and young people are entitled to take part in obstacle sport safely, enjoyably and with proper support. OCRA's approach follows Irish child protection requirements and recognised safeguarding guidance for sport.
Raising a concern
To raise a concern with OCRA, use the contact form and include enough detail for the matter to be directed properly — what happened, when and where, who was involved, and whether anyone else already knows.
You do not need to investigate before reporting, and you do not need to be sure.
Where this applies
Safeguarding applies across every OCRA activity involving young people: training and coaching, clubs, competitions, Team Ireland activity and travel, volunteering, photography and media, and online communication.
What is required of adults
Adults working with children and young people are responsible for creating a safe and respectful environment. Depending on the role that means safeguarding education, Garda Vetting, appropriate supervision, safe recruitment, following the Codes of Conduct, communicating appropriately, maintaining professional boundaries, and reporting concerns rather than handling them privately.
Coaches and volunteers working with young athletes may need to complete safeguarding education and vetting before they start. Safeguarding forms part of the coaching pathway, and part of club and volunteer development.
Clubs running youth activity
A club providing activities for children is responsible for having the arrangements in place before the activity starts, not after. That means a safeguarding policy and Child Safeguarding Statement, risk assessment, named safeguarding roles, Garda Vetting where required, safeguarding training, a reporting procedure, and codes of conduct.
If you are setting up youth sessions and are not sure what applies to you, ask first. It is a short conversation and it is much easier than unwinding it later.
What young athletes are entitled to
To take part without abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, humiliation, inappropriate behaviour, unnecessary pressure or unsafe sporting practice. To be listened to. To be treated with dignity.
Parents and guardians
Parents and guardians shape the environment as much as anyone. Encourage participation and development, respect athletes and officials, follow the codes of conduct, raise genuine welfare concerns, support safe communication and travel arrangements, and help children understand what good sporting behaviour looks like.