Scroll down for details on:

1. ​Supervision Requirements
2. Garda Vetting
3. Child Safety Training
4. Individualised Supervision Needs
5. Further Information on Supervision​

1. Supervision Requirements

It's a Community Effort
The project is a non profit voluntary organisation and could not function without the hard work and dedication of the Committee members and supervisors which comprise parents within the community who volunteer their time to ensure that as many children as possible can be involved in the project.  

For insurance and child safeguarding purposes an appropriate adult-child ratio must be adhered to at each activity. The rules dictate that we must have an adult supervisor for every 8 children on an activity.  

If sufficient supervisors are not available we may be forced to cancel some activities.  Please play your part in making this year's project as successful as the previous years!
In order to enrol your child a time commitment of 2 periods of supervision per family over the course of the two weeks is required from you. These may be on the same day or over two different days. 

Supervision Slots
You sign up for supervision slots at the end of in-person enrolment (which takes place in the hall a number of weeks after online registration). We try to assign you to the activities that suit you and your child, but it is a first come first served approach and all activities have to be adequately supervised.  

Remember, you will not be asked to deliver any activity (we leave that to the experts) and in addition each activity will be attended by a committee member so no prior knowledge is required.
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All parent supervisors must be Garda Vetted and have completed Child Protection training. 
Even if you are Garda Vetted for another organisation or for your work, you must go through the process for the Summer Project. 

Renewal is once every 3 years thereafter for Garda Vetting. In conjunction with the Garda Vetting, supervisors must have completed Child Protection training. This can be done in one of 2 ways: individually online, which must be renewed annually, or in-person training (organised by the Committee) which must be renewed every 3 years.
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2. ​Garda Vetting

The summer project is required to comply with National Child Protection Procedures, which came into effect on 1st September 2006.  These guidelines require that any adult (over 18) volunteering with the project is required to have Garda clearance (valid for 3 years).
Crosscare support the delivery of the Garda vetting process and the child protection training.  Ad hoc inspections take place by various agencies during our activities and we must be able to produce the required confirmations on request.  

How do I get Garda Vetted by Crosscare?

The Summer Project child safe-guarding co-ordinator  will contact you with the garda vetting details including the required forms. These must be completed and brought in person with ID for review and processing by Crosscare to St Pius School on Tuesday 29th April, 6:30 to 7.30pm. 

The Crosscare contact for Garda Vetting is: Deborah Brannigan, tel: 086 1301575.

NB: When you complete the process you will receive a letter by post from Crosscare. Please email a copy/photo of this letter to the Summer Project Child Safeguarding Co-ordinator: [email protected]. 

3. Child Protection Training 

In addition to Garda vetting the National Child Protection Procedures require that all supervisors complete a Child Protection Training Course. This can be done in one of 2 ways: individually online, which must be renewed annually, or in-person training (organised by the Committee) which must be renewed every 3 years. If you have completed the training as part of another organisation and have a valid (12 months) certificate please send a copy to the child safeguarding co-ordinator as no child protection training is required.

The in-person child protection training will take in St Pius School on Tuesday 13th May, 7-9pm.

NB: When you complete the training you will receive a certificate from Crosscare. Please send a copy/photo of this cert to the Summer Project Child Safeguarding Co-ordinator: [email protected].
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4.Individualised Supervision Needs

​The Summer Project aims to provide an inclusive and safe environment for children to experience activities they may not have experienced before. 

If your child requires additional supports during school activities it is important that you include this information on registration and our Health and Safety Officer will be in contact with you so that we can work out how best to support your child.   This may require a dedicated guardian to accompany your child, particularly at activities that take place outside of school.  All information provided will be in full confidence.

The Summer Project provides a great variety of activities and scheduling but this may be an unsettling environment for some children.  In the main the Summer Project supervisors are volunteer parents who are not trained to deal with medical/behavioural issues.  Therefore some additional attention may be required which we hope you can assist us with to ensure your child's safety and in the best interest of all the children.​

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4. Further Information On Supervision​

For each activity, a committee member acts as Lead Supervisor. 

They will send you a message approx 2 days in advance of your supervision slot. Please respond promptly that you are still available. 

In the event that you can no longer attend your scheduled activity please find another person who is able to swap with you and send us an email ([email protected]) with the details of the swap so that we can update our list for the Lead Supervisor.  

Supervisor numbers are scheduled to meet the minimum 8:1 child : adult ratio so if you can't attend it is vital you find a replacement.  Committee members are involved in multiple activities so we'd appreciate it if you can find a non-committee member to fill in for you.

On the same note please don't send children to activities that they aren't enrolled in as we may already have a wait list and/or we may not have sufficient supervisors if the numbers increase, even by one or two.  

On the day of Supervision

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the activity to be briefed by your Lead Supervisor who will assign tasks as required.  
• Supervisors should wear a High Viz jacket at all times. This consistency helps children (and adults) and reduces the chaos particularly at the larger events. 
• Tick each child as present on the Activity Roll List as they arrive and cross off the same tick when they child departs.
• Once all have arrived take headcount and make sure it tallies with the numbers on the list. Make sure to note if a child is taken home earlier or taken in a car by a parent driving.  
• If a child wishes to leave an event early the parent must be contacted. The parent should be asked to send a text to the Lead Supervisor stating that the child has permission to leave early.
• Ensure 2 adults are always present when taking children to toilets etc. At the cinema, children of all ages should be accompanied to the toilets. 
• You may have to roll up your sleeves at times and give the kids a hand at an activity.
• Each year the Summer Project has a theme, as supervisor you’re asked to watch out for instances of this theme being demonstrated and share it with the Lead Supervisor so that it can be recognised. 

Ensure you implement all of the Child Safety training provided to you by Crosscare and note the Code of Good Practice provided by Crosscare. 

Most of all on the Supervision front please enjoy being part of your child's activity, make new friends yourself but keep a watchful eye!