The Irish Chess Union has developed a new Child Protection Policy entitled "Code of Ethics for Chess for Young People". The Policy outlines the core principles governing the participation of young people in chess and is intended to provide a template that can be availed of by any organisations that are involved in junior chess, including:

• Provincial chess unions;
• Chess clubs; and
• Schools.

It takes account of the national guidelines outlined in the following documents:

(1) Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport, Irish Sports Council & Sports Council Northern Ireland, 2006;
(2) Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011; and
(3) Our Duty to Care, Department of Health & Children 2002.

One of the key elements of the Policy is that it outlines how Garda Vetting Services can be accessed in cooperation with "Volunteering Ireland" (see Section 2).

I would encourage everybody involved in Junior Chess in Ireland to read this Policy and to take the steps necessary to implement it in the interests of all children (and adults caring for them) who play chess. Any comments on its contents and suggestions for amendments to it are most welcome and can be addressed to me at [email protected].

The Policy is available here Child Protection Policy The Garda Vetting form is available here Garda Vetting Form

I would also like to thank all those who have already had an input into drawing up this Policy for their interest in this area and for their assistance.

Pat Fitzsimons
Chairperson
Irish Chess Union
June 2015