Cork Harlequins Recruitment Procedure for all leaders/staff/volunteers:
Cork Harlequins will take all reasonable steps to ensure that adults representing them and working with juniors are appropriate and suitable to do so and are experienced and motivated. Opportunities for young people to participate in hockey may not exist without the time and commitment of volunteers who are motivated by their desire to put something back into their sport. Recruiting individuals for positions is good practice and provides a better support structure for people. A recruitment process introduces staff and volunteers to their role and strengthens the message of safeguarding children within Cork Harlequins and also reduces the vulnerability of children and leaders. Recruitment and/or supervision procedures will apply to all persons with substantial access to juniors, whether paid or unpaid. Although the style of advertising a vacancy may differ between paid staff and volunteers, the system of recruitment will follow the same lines. A decision to appoint a Leader to represent Cork Harlequins is the responsibility of the club committee and not of any one individual within it.

Cork Harlequins use the following recruitment procedure and would expect all members to follow this:

• Promote the Club safeguarding statement at recruitment stage to provide a clear message of values and good practice.
• A description of the role including responsibilities, level of experience/qualifications required will be drawn up and clearly stated.
• Individuals will be asked to fill in an information form, giving names of two references that can be contacted.
• Certain roles may involve interviewing or meeting with the individual either formally or informally to be able to:
  • Assess the individual’s experience of working with children or young people and knowledge of safeguarding issues
  • Assess their commitment to promoting good practice
  • Assess their ability to communicate with children and young people (i.e. be approachable)
• Once voted / nominated / appointed to a position the Leader will be made aware of and sign up to the code of conduct and should read and become familiar with Cork Harlequins Safeguarding Policy. Failure to do so would generally result in their immediate removal.
• Both existing and new leaders must sign the appropriate code of conduct including the self-declaration questions
• All Leaders must successfully complete the Garda Vetting (ROI) or Access NI (NI) process through Hockey Ireland prior to commencing working with children.
• All leaders must undertake training: Safeguarding 1 (Basic Awareness Workshop) (ROI) Safeguarding Children & Young People in Sport (NI) must be completed.
• A probation period may apply in order to assess the leader’s commitment to promoting good practice in relation to young people.
• Adequate supervision will always be provided.
• Information in relation to applicants are treated as highly sensitive and confidential and are kept in a locked cupboard that Officer or is accessible only by Officer at club level.
• Names of National Children’s Officer/Designated Liaison Person within Cork Harlequins will be made known to all HI new Leaders as should the Munster and Hockey Ireland Child Officers.

Every effort will be made to manage and support appointed Leaders. Safeguarding training will be provided; codes of conduct will be made available, and Garda Vetting/Access NI will be implemented.