Garda Vetting and Safeguarding / Grinnfhiosrú Gardaí agus Caomhnú Páistí
Our Club Children’s Officer Team oversees the implementation of Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding within the club in accordance with the GAA Code of Behaviour (Underage).
Who needs Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding / Cé ar gá dóibh Grinnfhiosrú agus Caomhnú Páistí a dhéanamh?
In the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, any person who carries out a role of responsibility such as coaching, managing or training underage teams that includes any player under 18 years of age must be vetted and safeguarded (Legal Requirement). It also applies to organising underage activities or refereeing underage games, FLOs and roles such as club officers and photographers of children’s games.
Cuala policy is that all coaches and mentors on adult teams must be vetted and safeguarded due to juvenile members playing up to adult teams.
Garda Vetting Procedure / Grinnfhiosrú Gardaí (Nós Imeachta)
The Garda Vetting System is now part of Foireann. The steps are briefly outlined below or click on the button for further information.
Step 1 - Log in to Foireann
If you do not have an account with Foireann you will need to create one. Select Cuala as your club.
Step 2 - Complete the Gaelic Game Vetting ID Validation Form
Once logged into your Foireann account, click on the Qualifications and Vetting tab and then click Apply to be Vetted. Check that your profile details are correct before selecting your club and/or association under which you wish to be vetted and the role you are applying for vetting. Follow the instructions on Foireann for submitting your ID Documentation (photo ID and proof of address) and upload all relevant documents. Your application will be sent to the Children’s Officer for validation and forwarded to the National Vetting Bureau.
Step 3 - Complete the National Vetting Bureau EVetting Application Form
You will receive an on-line NVB Vetting Form to complete.
What happens next?
You will be kept informed of the status of your application by email. You and your Club Children’s Officer will be notified when the vetting process has been completed.
Vetting is for a three-year period and must be renewed every 3 years.
Child Safeguarding Procedure / Caomhnú Páistí (Nós Imeachta)
Face-to-face Child Safeguarding 1 workshops take place in the club throughout the year. This certification is valid for a 3-year period and can be extended for a further 3 years by completing the online refresher course within 6 weeks of expiry renewal date.
For Face-to-face workshops
Face-to-face workshops take place several times a year. Please view our events calendar (Events (cualagaa.ie))and keep an eye on our communication channels (newsletter, website news and socials for upcoming safeguarding courses. Registration is via an online form.
To be certified for the Safeguarding course you will first need to register with Tobar (https://learning.gaa.ie/user/register), the online Gaelic Games Learning Portal. You will be sent a link to enrol on the course via this platform. This is essential to receive your certificate. The course itself takes approximately 2 hours.
For the Online Refresher Course
A Child Safeguarding 1 online Refresher Course is available for those who have already attended a full face-to-face Safeguarding 1 session in the last 3 years. This option can only be availed of once in the lifetime of the coach.
Visit Child Safeguarding Home | Tobar (gaa.ie) for more information.
What happens next?
Once you have registered on Tobar and attended the course your Safeguarding certificate will be issued.
You must connect your ‘Tobar’ account to your ‘Foireann’ profile to enable your certification to appear in the ‘Qualifications and Vetting’ section of your ‘Foireann’ profile.
To do this click on the green button on the top of the page in Tobar that says ‘Foireann Connect’. If this button is not visible then the accounts are already synced.
Your Child Safeguarding Certification is valid for 3 years.
FAQ’s / Ceisteanna Coitianta
I have Garda vetting and/or Child Safeguarding at another institution, will that suffice for Cuala?
- Vetting must be processed via Cuala GAC.
- Sport Ireland Safeguarding certification is acceptable but when due for renewal it must be via Cuala GAC.
My Garda Vetting and/or Safeguarding has not been issued yet/has lapsed, can I commence/continue to work with children while awaiting acceptance/renewal?
No, a person must be in receipt of a vetting acceptance letter and in-date safeguarding cert before commencing/continuing in their role.
I am working with children in multiple codes, which association do I apply for Garda Vetting under?
An agreement between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie permits each of the Gaelic Games Associations to recognise the vetting carried out by each other, i.e. the GAA will accept and recognise the vetting disclosure for a coach who has been vetted by either LGFA or Camogie and they will do likewise for each of the Gaelic Games Associations.
How often does Garda vetting need to be renewed?
Garda Vetting is for a three year period after which time it must be renewed following the procedure outlined above.
How do I know when my Garda vetting needs to be renewed?
You can check the validity of your Garda Vetting and Safeguarding in your Foireann Profile under ‘Qualifications and Vetting’.
How often does Child Safeguarding need to be renewed?
Your Child Safeguarding Certification lasts for 3 years. This can be renewed via an online refresher course provided you have previously attended a Safeguarding 1 face-to-face course in the previous 3 years.
How do I know when my Child Safeguarding needs to be renewed?
You can check the validity of your Safeguarding in your Foireann Profile under ‘Qualifications and Vetting’. To see your Safeguarding qualification in your Foireann account it must be connected to the Tobar Platform as outlined above.
How do I apply for Garda Vetting if I am U18?
Garda vetting is available to any person over 16 years of age. If a person in respect of whom an application for a vetting disclosure is made is under 18 years of age, a declaration of consent (Parent/Guardian Consent Form) is completed on his or her behalf by a parent or guardian of the person. The applicant must also use the email address of the parent/guardian when making the application. Applications are made via Foireann, under the ’Qualifications and Safeguarding’ tab of the applicant.
