CAVAN REGIONAL HEALTH SPORT & LEISURE CLG
(KNOWN AS CRHSL CLG IN THIS DOCUMENT)
NOP – SAFETY POLICY
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Management of CRHSL CLG are committed to the Health and Safety of its staff and customers and to carrying out its work in a safe and healthy manner, relying on the commitment and co-operation of its employees. The overall responsibility for Safety in CRHSL CLG rests with the management company. We act through the staff who are obliged to co-operate with management, in particular by taking care of their own safety and the safety of others who use the facilities in CRHSL CLG and who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
This document incorporates the Normal Operating Procedures (NOP), accident reporting procedure, Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Fire Procedure. Also included are the CRHSL CLG staff structure and a building plan outlining the various facilities at Drumalee, Cavan. It is necessary and expected that every staff member reads and understands this document in order to deliver consistent quality service to our members. Safety, Standards and Service are the three critical factors required by CRHSL CLG to retain its position as a leading leisure facility.
We will review this safety statement annually and we will consult with staff as part of this process. We will also carry out structured risk assessments as part of our safety policy.
Membership Risk Assessment Policy
A risk assessment is required where information received, about an existing CRHSL CLG member, is of serious concern for the safety and welfare of young people. The member may be asked to step down from their position or may be suspended from membership of CRHSL CLG.
Such information may include:
– an allegation of abuse against a member
– information relating to a member is a safeguarding concern where young people are at risk of harm
– behaviour of a member is a safeguarding concern where young people are at risk of harm
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) must be informed of any information or behaviour that is serious concern for the safety and welfare of young people. CRHSL CLG can take advice from the National Children’s Officer (NCO) who acts as the DLP. If there is a legal obligation to report, the NCO as the Mandated Person (MP) will submit a report to the statutory authorities.
Stepping down/Suspension
The management team may ask a member to voluntarily step aside from their position where there is a serious safeguarding concern for young people. If a member does not voluntarily step aside, the management team will request a suspension of membership.
Consultation with Statutory Authorities
Where a case is discussed with the statutory authorities and does not meet the reporting threshold this matter will be passed back to CRHSL CLG. A member may not be required to step down or be suspended, however, this depends on the nature of the matter, discussions with the statutory authorities and advice from the NCO.
Referrals to Statutory Authorities
Where a case is referred to the Statutory Authorities there are a number of outcomes possible. If a
member has been stepped down or suspended further action is required from CRHSL CLG prior to
the member being allowed to resume their membership or role.
A case is referred to court with a resulting conviction
An individual convicted of a charge relating to the harm of a child will be permanently excluded from membership of CRHSL CLG or from participating in any CRHSL CLG event or activity. The Board of CRHSL CLG will be informed, as well as any other staff member or volunteer deemed necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of young people.
A case is referred to court with no resulting conviction.
An individual who has met the grounds for being considered by the Director of Public Prosecution for an offence relating to the harm of a child requires a risk assessment to consider their membership of CRHSL CLG or from participating in any CRHSL CLG event or activity. The Board of CRHSL CLG will be informed, if the individual is excluded, as well as any other staff member or volunteer deemed necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of young people.
Membership Risk Assessment Process:
Any member stepped down or suspended due to a serious concern for the safety and welfare of young people will be required to complete the following risk assessment prior to returning as a member or resuming a role:
1. The individual is asked to complete a vetting application, this may be for both jurisdictions; the vetting disclosure(s) must be received back, and an assessment made on the disclosure(s) according to the CRHSL CLG Vetting policy.
2. The information contained in the initial report to the statutory authorities is reviewed; if permission is required this is sought from the individual and any party involved
3. The parties involved are invited to submit further information relevant to the matter.
4. The information will be considered by a case management group for consideration as to the suitability of membership of centre.
5. If relevant, the matter will be submitted to the Complaints and Disciplinary Officer to be dealt with through the CRHSL CLG complaints and disciplinary procedures. This membership risk assessment is usually carried out by management.
Management will review the case and convene accordingly if need be.
The case management team will set terms of reference depending on the type of case or cases being considered e.g., vetting disclosures or a risk assessment.
All information will be anonymised, and details will only be shared that are needed to reach a fair and reasonable outcome. Records where a concern has been investigated, or an outcome reached the NCO will maintain a case management record of the matter. This information will be held securely in accordance with data protection requirements.
If the outcome of a case is permanent exclusion this will be recorded on the membership system as ‘Suspended’. The CRHSL CLG management will inform the individual of the outcome in writing via email or registered letter using the details recorded for the member on their database profile. The DBS will be notified even if the individual has stepped aside voluntarily. If the outcome of the case is reached through a complaints or disciplinary process, any sanction will be recorded in the CRHSL CLG complaints files. The member will be informed by the relevant complaints and disciplinary body in writing via email or registered letter using the details recorded for the member on their database profile. Requesting renewal of membership If a member has stepped away voluntarily or been suspended and not returned to membership a risk assessment process must be completed prior to any renewal or commencement of membership. The membership status, i.e. suspended, will flag this need for a membership risk assessment to be done before an individual seeks to join as a member again. It is important that the membership risk assessment process is carried out prior to re-joining as this will take into account any intervening period and/or any statutory investigation that took place.