In Northern Ireland Fencing we believe that the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse. Everyone in fencing – administrator, club official, coach, parent, friend, children themselves, everyone – can help.
Abuse can occur anywhere there are children – at home, at school, in the park, at the club. Sadly, there are some people who will seek to be where children are simply in order to abuse them. We believe that everyone in Fencing has a part to play in looking after the children with whom we are working. This is both a moral and a legal obligation. The Children (NI) Order 1995 and the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 are the legislative basis from which we derive this duty.
These child protection procedures stem from the following principles:
• the child’s welfare is the first consideration
• all children, regardless of age, any disability they have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity have a right to be protected from abuse.
We know that if the procedures are there to help to protect children, everyone involved in fencing needs to see and discuss them. Northern Ireland Fencing Ltd therefore request that anyone who is a stakeholder in fencing in Northern Ireland takes the time to read and implement these policies, a full version is available from our web-site. Volunteers and New Fencers will be required to sign their application forms acknowledging that they have read and accepted these policies.
Finally, please remember Northern Ireland Fencing will support anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concerns that a child is at risk of, or may actually be, being abused.
All policy and other documents can also be downloaded here