Policy Guidance
Safeguarding
Safeguarding guidance for padel in Ireland, bringing child protection legislation, child welfare expectations, club responsibilities, training routes, and official Irish sport resources into one place.
Safeguarding at a glance
Safe participation depends on shared responsibilities, clear boundaries, child-centred decision making, and the right route when a safeguarding concern needs attention.
Children first
The best interests, welfare, and dignity of children and young people must sit at the centre of junior padel activity.
Shared responsibility
Parents, coaches, clubs, volunteers, organisers, and federation representatives all have a role in safeguarding.
Training and reporting
Sport Ireland safeguarding guidance, training, and statutory routes support safe practice and clear reporting.
For immediate danger, call 999 or 112. Safeguarding or child welfare concerns connected with Padel Federation of Ireland activity should use the contact route below so they can be directed appropriately.
Child Protection Legislation
Sport Ireland and Sport NI are committed to ensuring that the best interests of children and young people attending sport services are of paramount importance. Their guiding principles and guidance are underpinned by national policy and legislation in the Republic of Ireland, including Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Children First Act 2015.
In Northern Ireland, the guidance is informed by the Children (NI) Order and Cooperating to Safeguarding Children and Young People 2017. It is also informed by Tusla guidance, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Child Care Act 1991, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016.
Source: Sport Ireland.
- Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017
- Children First Act 2015
- Tusla Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice
- National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016
Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport
The aim of Sport Ireland safeguarding guidance is to help sporting bodies create a culture of safety that promotes the welfare of children and young people engaged in sporting activities.
The guidance supports National Governing Bodies to meet child safeguarding and child protection responsibilities in line with policy, legislation, and best practice. It includes guidance on carrying out a risk assessment, developing a Child Safeguarding Statement, and developing and implementing policies and procedures for safeguarding and protecting children and young people.
This guidance is for the benefit of everyone involved in children and young people’s sport and supports National Governing Bodies for Sport in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- Risk assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement preparation
- Policies and procedures for safeguarding and child protection
- Safe participation guidance for children and young people in sport
- Shared guidance for clubs, coaches, volunteers, parents, and governing bodies
Safeguarding Requirements
The Padel Federation of Ireland has adopted and implemented child welfare and safeguarding principles as part of its approach to club activity, junior participation, coaching, and federation programmes.
Players, parents, guardians, coaches, clubs, volunteers, and relevant adults should read and follow the Code of Conduct and safeguarding expectations that apply to their role or activity.
Club Child Protection Officers are available should any member, participant, parent, guardian, coach, or club require assistance in relation to child protection in a padel club. The Child Protection Officer for the Padel Federation of Ireland can be contacted at info@padelfederation.ie.
- Child welfare is part of safe club and federation activity
- Adults working with children should understand their role and boundaries
- Parents and guardians should know the supervision, communication, and concern routes
- Club and federation safeguarding information should be kept clear and current
Safeguarding Training and Roles
For up-to-date Sport Ireland child safeguarding courses, policies, and requirements, clubs and relevant adults should use the current Sport Ireland safeguarding training information.
Sport Ireland lists Safeguarding 1, Safeguarding 2, and Safeguarding 3 training routes, along with information for Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons.
- Safeguarding 1 - Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Workshop
- Safeguarding 2 - Club Children’s Officer
- Safeguarding 3 - Designated Liaison Person
- Club Children’s Officers (CCO)
- Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
Raising a Safeguarding or Child Welfare Concern
A safeguarding concern should be raised through the route that best matches the situation. If there is immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted without delay. Child welfare concerns may need to be reported to Tusla or An Garda Siochana using the relevant statutory route.
Where a concern relates to Padel Federation of Ireland activity, contact the federation with clear factual information so the matter can be directed to the appropriate person or process while respecting privacy and welfare needs.
- Use emergency services for immediate danger
- Use Tusla or An Garda Siochana routes for child welfare concerns where appropriate
- Use the PFI contact route for federation activity, club pathway, coaching, or event concerns
- Keep information factual, relevant, and respectful of privacy
Clubs, Coaches, and Volunteers
Clubs, coaches, and volunteers have a practical role in making padel safe and enjoyable. This includes appropriate supervision, respectful communication, suitable session planning, safe recruitment, Garda vetting where relevant, and awareness of safeguarding and child welfare guidance.
Coaches should also read the dedicated safeguarding for coaches, Garda vetting, first aid, insurance, and coaching standards pages so their preparation matches the role, venue, programme, and participants they work with.
- Age-appropriate coaching and competition environments
- Parent and guardian communication
- Photography, video, online communication, and consent awareness
- Clear concern routes for young people and adults supporting them
Child Protection Legislation
Sport Ireland and Sport NI are committed to ensuring that the best interests of children and young people attending sport services are of paramount importance. Their guiding principles and guidance are underpinned by national policy and legislation in the Republic of Ireland, including Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Children First Act 2015.
In Northern Ireland, the guidance is informed by the Children (NI) Order and Cooperating to Safeguarding Children and Young People 2017. It is also informed by Tusla guidance, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Child Care Act 1991, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016.
Source: Sport Ireland.
- Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017
- Children First Act 2015
- Tusla Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice
- National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016
Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport
The aim of Sport Ireland safeguarding guidance is to help sporting bodies create a culture of safety that promotes the welfare of children and young people engaged in sporting activities.
The guidance supports National Governing Bodies to meet child safeguarding and child protection responsibilities in line with policy, legislation, and best practice. It includes guidance on carrying out a risk assessment, developing a Child Safeguarding Statement, and developing and implementing policies and procedures for safeguarding and protecting children and young people.
This guidance is for the benefit of everyone involved in children and young people’s sport and supports National Governing Bodies for Sport in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- Risk assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement preparation
- Policies and procedures for safeguarding and child protection
- Safe participation guidance for children and young people in sport
- Shared guidance for clubs, coaches, volunteers, parents, and governing bodies
Safeguarding Requirements
The Padel Federation of Ireland has adopted and implemented child welfare and safeguarding principles as part of its approach to club activity, junior participation, coaching, and federation programmes.
Players, parents, guardians, coaches, clubs, volunteers, and relevant adults should read and follow the Code of Conduct and safeguarding expectations that apply to their role or activity.
Club Child Protection Officers are available should any member, participant, parent, guardian, coach, or club require assistance in relation to child protection in a padel club. The Child Protection Officer for the Padel Federation of Ireland can be contacted at info@padelfederation.ie.
- Child welfare is part of safe club and federation activity
- Adults working with children should understand their role and boundaries
- Parents and guardians should know the supervision, communication, and concern routes
- Club and federation safeguarding information should be kept clear and current
Safeguarding Training and Roles
For up-to-date Sport Ireland child safeguarding courses, policies, and requirements, clubs and relevant adults should use the current Sport Ireland safeguarding training information.
Sport Ireland lists Safeguarding 1, Safeguarding 2, and Safeguarding 3 training routes, along with information for Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons.
- Safeguarding 1 - Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Workshop
- Safeguarding 2 - Club Children’s Officer
- Safeguarding 3 - Designated Liaison Person
- Club Children’s Officers (CCO)
- Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
Raising a Safeguarding or Child Welfare Concern
A safeguarding concern should be raised through the route that best matches the situation. If there is immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted without delay. Child welfare concerns may need to be reported to Tusla or An Garda Siochana using the relevant statutory route.
Where a concern relates to Padel Federation of Ireland activity, contact the federation with clear factual information so the matter can be directed to the appropriate person or process while respecting privacy and welfare needs.
- Use emergency services for immediate danger
- Use Tusla or An Garda Siochana routes for child welfare concerns where appropriate
- Use the PFI contact route for federation activity, club pathway, coaching, or event concerns
- Keep information factual, relevant, and respectful of privacy
Clubs, Coaches, and Volunteers
Clubs, coaches, and volunteers have a practical role in making padel safe and enjoyable. This includes appropriate supervision, respectful communication, suitable session planning, safe recruitment, Garda vetting where relevant, and awareness of safeguarding and child welfare guidance.
Coaches should also read the dedicated safeguarding for coaches, Garda vetting, first aid, insurance, and coaching standards pages so their preparation matches the role, venue, programme, and participants they work with.
- Age-appropriate coaching and competition environments
- Parent and guardian communication
- Photography, video, online communication, and consent awareness
- Clear concern routes for young people and adults supporting them
Frequently Asked Questions
What does safeguarding mean in padel?
It means taking practical steps to protect people from harm, promote good practice, and make sure padel activity is safe, respectful, age-appropriate, and suitable for the people taking part.
Who should raise a safeguarding or child welfare concern?
Anyone who is worried about the safety, welfare, or treatment of a participant should raise the concern through the appropriate route. Immediate danger should be referred to emergency services.
Where can clubs check safeguarding training information?
Use the Sport Ireland safeguarding training page for current information on Safeguarding 1, Safeguarding 2, Safeguarding 3, Club Children’s Officers, and Designated Liaison Persons.