Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts – Gateway Services for Children
Ulster GAA, in cooperation with the National Children’s Office provides a comprehensive child safeguarding service for our members throughout the nine Counties of Ulster.
Due to jurisdictional requirements Ulster GAA provides an additional and specific child welfare and protection advisory role for six counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone. This role includes child protection awareness training, advisory services on dealing with concerns or allegations of abuse from the Ulster Provincial Designated Person and a Garda vetting and a Police background checks service in accordance with AcessNI requirements.
Through a service level agreement Ulster GAA also processes applications for vetting disclosure certificates with AccessNI on behalf of Ulster Camogie Council and Ulster Ladies Gaelic Council.
Reporting Allegations of Abuse to Statutory Authorities
The process of reporting allegations of abuse to statutory authorities in Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone is in line with Section 6 of the Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse (Section 6)
In common with all Provincial Councils, Ulster GAA assists the Association in promoting good practice in child welfare and protection. In accordance with LGFA procedures they willingly provide Club and County Board Designated Persons who wish to report allegations of abuse or concerns of a child welfare nature to the statutory authorities with advisory services so as to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, regardless of jurisdiction.
Should a member of the LGFA believe or suspect that a child is suffering or is in danger of suffering significant harm or may be in danger of being abused they should immediately pass on such concerns to the relevant LGFA Designated Person who will assist them in formally reporting such matters to the relevant Social Care Trust. All reports made to the Statutory Authorities shall also be reported to the LGFA National Designated Person : mandatedperson@lgfa.ie
It should be noted that an individual may, if they so wish, directly report their concerns to the statutory authorities themselves.