Garda Vetting Policy
- SGSBC
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Version 1 Policy Document
Status: Version 1 for committee adoption and use by the South Galway Stormers Basketball Club. This document should be reviewed against current Basketball Ireland, Sport Ireland and legal requirements before adoption and during each review cycle.
Document owner: Club Committee / Secretary (secretary.sgsbc@gmail.com) / Club Children's Officer (cco.sgsbc@gmail.com)
Version: Version 1
Prepared for: South Galway Stormers Basketball Club
Version date: 14 July 2026
Review cycle: Annual or sooner if Basketball Ireland/Sport Ireland guidance changes
1. Purpose
This policy sets out South Galway Stormers Basketball Club's approach to Garda vetting for adults and relevant young people who work with children or vulnerable persons through the Club.
2. Policy Statement
The Club will not permit any person to undertake relevant work with children or vulnerable persons on behalf of the Club unless the required Garda vetting process has been completed and approved through Basketball Ireland or another accepted process where applicable.
3. Who Requires Vetting
The following roles normally require vetting before beginning unsupervised or regular activity with children:
Coaches and assistant coaches.
Team managers and regular training/match volunteers.
Club Children's Officer and Designated Liaison Person.
Committee members or volunteers with regular access to children or sensitive child-related information.
Junior helpers aged 16 or 17 where they are involved in coaching or regular support with younger children, subject to parental consent and current Basketball Ireland guidance.
4. Process
The volunteer registers as required by Basketball Ireland and provides a valid BIPIN where required. Club vetting administration queries should be sent to the Club Secretary (secretary.sgsbc@gmail.com), with safeguarding-related questions directed to the Club Children's Officer (cco.sgsbc@gmail.com).
The volunteer completes the current Basketball Ireland Garda vetting process and submits the required forms and identity verification evidence.
The Club confirms that vetting has been completed before the person begins relevant work.
The Club records only the compliance status, date and renewal requirement. Vetting disclosures and sensitive documents must be handled securely and only by authorised persons.
5. Renewal
Vetting must be renewed at the interval required by Basketball Ireland, Sport Ireland or law. For coaching licence purposes, the Club should plan around the current Basketball Ireland minimum standards cycle, which refers to valid Garda vetting renewed every three years.
6. No Start Before Completion
A person must not commence relevant work with children until vetting and other required compliance checks are completed. Where a new helper is observing or shadowing, they must be supervised and must not be placed in a position of responsibility for children until cleared.
7. Refusals, Concerns or Disclosures
If vetting information raises a concern, the matter shall be handled confidentially by the appropriate Club officer and Committee representatives. The Club may seek guidance from Basketball Ireland and may decide not to appoint, to restrict duties, or to remove a person from a role where this is necessary to protect children or the Club.
8. Record Keeping
The Club shall maintain a secure compliance register showing name, role, vetting status, completion date, renewal date and any restrictions. Access shall be limited to authorised officers.
Reference Points Used for Version 1
This Version 1 document has been prepared as a club-level document using Basketball Ireland and Sport Ireland resources as reference points. The club should adopt official Basketball Ireland documents where required and update this document whenever national guidance changes.
Basketball Ireland Vetting Policy: https://ireland.basketball/downloads
Basketball Ireland Garda E-Vetting: https://ireland.basketball/e-vetting
Basketball Ireland Safeguarding / Child Welfare: https://ireland.basketball/childprotection
Basketball Ireland Coach Licensing: https://ireland.basketball/coach-licencing
Basketball Ireland Coaching Minimum Standards: https://ireland.basketball/coaching-minimum-standards
Sport Ireland Safeguarding Sport: https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/safeguarding-sport
Sport Ireland Garda Vetting: https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/garda-vetting
Committee Review Record
Date: Reviewed by Decision / Changes Next review
[Insert details]: [Insert details] [Insert details] [Insert details]
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