Officers
Child Welfare
The Man O’War GFC Safeguarding Team is:
- Nadine Landy – Childrens Officer
- Nicola McSteen – Childrens Officer
- Caroline Cutliffe – Assistant Designated Liaison Person
- Gráinne Whelan – Designated Liaison Person
Contact Us
Email : childrensofficer.manowar.dublin@gaa. ie
Coaching/Mentoring
Find out what steps you need to take to become a mentor of a juvenile team.
Click HereRole of The Childrens Officer
The role of Children’s Officer is central to maintaining the safeguarding of children and young people in our Gaelic Games Associations and to the implementation of the Code of Behaviour (Underage) at both Club and at County level. In addition to these core responsibilities the Children’s Officer must also ensure, with the cooperation of other Officers, that legislative requirements governing the participation of children/young people and those who work with them are maintained at all times.
Role of the Designated Liason officer
The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for dealing with concerns relating to the possible abuse of children. The Designated Liaison Person, or DLP as referred to hereafter, must be familiar with the safeguarding and child welfare roles and responsibilities of statutory authorities and agencies within their jurisdiction, and the Association’s Guidance for Dealing with & Reporting Allegations or Concerns of Abuse and our Code of Behaviour (Underage).
What do we do?
The Club’s Safeguarding team plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, welfare and protection of all its members, with a particular focus on children within the club.
Key tasks include:
- Promote a culture of respect, inclusion and child welfare.
- Promote awareness of the relevant Codes of Behaviours and Best Practice within the Club and ensure in so far as possible, that all players, coaches, mentors, parents, guardians, officials and spectators adhere to the joint Code of Behaviours when working with underage players.
- Ensure the Club complies with relevant GAA and LGFA Child Safeguarding legislation.
- Act as a designated point of contact for any safeguarding concerns, disclosures or reports within the Club.
- Provide support and guidance to coaches and mentors regarding child protection practices.
- Ensure all relevant members complete Garda Vetting and appropriate Safeguarding training.
- Regularly review and update the Club’s safeguarding policies and ensure they align with the latest guidelines from the GAA and LGFA.
Mentor Requirements
To serve as a Mentor with Man O’War GFC, the following conditions must be met:
Registration & Approval
- All mentors must complete a Club Membership Application Form through the Foireann system before officially beginning their role.
- This is particularly important for new mentors, as registration is required for insurance coverage.
- By signing the application, mentors agree to follow the Club’s Codes of Conduct, Policies, and Procedures.
- Mentors, both new and existing, will be reviewed and ratified annually by the Club Executive Committee.
Minimum Requirements for Coaching Juvenile Players (Under 18)
- Current Garda Vetting
- Safeguarding 1 Certification
- Foundation Level Coaching Qualification
- Fully Paid-Up Club Membership
Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting is mandatory for many GAA roles, especially those working with children.
Steps to apply for GAA Garda Vetting:
- Access your Foireann account or create one at www.foireann.ie.
- Navigate to your profile, then “Qualifications and Vetting,” and click “Apply to be Vetted”.
- Complete the Application Form – Ensure your profile details are accurate, select your club and the role you’re applying for.
- You will need to upload photo ID (passport or driver’s license) and proof of address (utility bill, etc.).
- Your club’s Children’s Officer will review your ID and vetting application.
- After the review, you’ll receive an email from the Garda National Vetting Bureau (NVB) with a link to the online vetting application form.
- Fill out the NVB form, providing all required information, including addresses, convictions (if any), and other details.
- Once the NVB form is submitted, the GAA will be notified of your application.
- You and your club secretary will be informed of the vetting outcome.
Safeguarding Courses
- It is a mandatory requirement for all Coaches/Mentors to complete a Child Safeguarding Course every three years.
- Safeguarding courses are acccessed via an in person workshop with a Safeguarding & Child Protection tutor . The Childrens Officer is responsible for arranging these.
- If you completed a face-to-face Safeguarding 1 course three years ago, you can complete an online refresher course, which can be accessed here https://learning.gaa.ie/node/283509.
- If you completed an online refresher course three years ago, you must complete a face-to-face safeguarding course.
- It is very important that once you complete any Safeguarding course that you let the Children’s Officer know the Safeguarding certificate reference and date of the course, so the club can update its records. The club is not automatically informed when you complete a safeguarding course.
Helpful links
The Child Safeguarding & Protection section on the GAA website contains a lot of helpful information, videos and FAQ’s on the Garda Vetting process. It has a step-by-step guide on how to submit a vetting application on behalf of yourself or a child.
https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-safeguarding-and-protection/vetting
Syncing Tobar
Members are asked to sync their Tobar and Foireann accounts so that their certificates within Tobar are visible on their Foireann profile. To do this, click on the green button on the top of the page in Tobar “Foireann Connect”. If this button is not visible, then the accounts are already synchronised.