Child Safeguarding Statement

Organisation: Cyclopath Cycling School
Address: Dromiskin, Co. Louth, Ireland
Email: info@cyclopath.ie
Telephone: 089 272 8935
Website: www.cyclopath.ie

Adopted: 19 October 2026 · Next review: By 19 October 2028, or sooner where required.

Statement · Safeguarding contacts · Risk assessment

1. Nature of Service

Cyclopath Cycling School provides bicycle education, cycling skills development and road safety training to children, primarily through programmes delivered in primary schools.

Activities include learning to cycle, developing bicycle handling skills, balance bike training, inclusive cycling instruction and supervised on-road cycling.

Training takes place primarily on school premises, with on-road activities provided to pupils who have been assessed as ready to participate.

Programmes are delivered by trained instructors, with appropriate supervision and safeguarding arrangements in place.

2. Safeguarding Principles

The welfare and best interests of children are paramount.

Cyclopath Cycling School is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment in which all children are protected from harm and treated with dignity.

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard children participating in our activities and to identify, respond to and report child protection and welfare concerns appropriately.

Our safeguarding practices are informed by the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, and relevant Sport Ireland and Cycling Ireland safeguarding guidance.

3. Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Measures

Cyclopath Cycling School recognises the potential risks of harm to children arising from its activities and has identified appropriate measures to minimise these risks.

Our safeguarding arrangements include:

Adult supervision: A minimum of two adults must be present throughout cycling instruction sessions. Where only one Cyclopath instructor is present, a member of the host school’s staff must also be present throughout the session. No session may proceed without the required supervision.
Instructor suitability: Cyclopath instructors are required to have appropriate Garda vetting, safeguarding training and insurance.
Professional conduct: Instructors must maintain appropriate professional boundaries, treat children respectfully and avoid isolated one-to-one situations.
Physical assistance: Any physical assistance during cycling instruction must be necessary, appropriate, explained and respectful of the child’s dignity and individual needs.
On-road training: On-road activities are restricted to pupils assessed as road ready. A maximum of 10 pupils participate in each on-road group, supervised by two Cyclopath instructors.
Inclusive participation: Activities are adapted where appropriate to accommodate children’s abilities and additional needs, in consultation with teachers and SNAs.
Safeguarding concerns: Any concerns about a child’s safety or welfare must be recorded and reported promptly in accordance with Children First procedures.

The accompanying Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment identifies potential risks of harm and the measures in place to manage them.

4. Photography and Video Recording

Photographs and videos may be taken during group cycling activities, subject to appropriate permissions and the host school’s policies.

No child will be deliberately photographed or filmed individually. Photography and recording will focus on group cycling activities rather than individual pupils.

Children’s faces will be blurred before photographs or videos are published on Cyclopath Cycling School’s website, social media or other promotional materials.

Other identifying information, including names, school uniforms and locations, will also be considered before publication.

Children without the necessary permissions will not be photographed or recorded.

Images and recordings will be stored securely, accessed only by authorised personnel and retained only for as long as necessary, in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.

5. Child Safeguarding Procedures

Cyclopath Cycling School maintains written safeguarding procedures covering:

The management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against instructors.
Safe recruitment and selection of instructors.
Garda vetting and safeguarding training.
The provision of safeguarding information and training to instructors.
The reporting of child protection and welfare concerns to Tusla.
Maintaining a list of mandated persons, where applicable.
The appointment of a Relevant Person for the Child Safeguarding Statement.
Appropriate professional conduct and supervision.
Confidentiality, secure recordkeeping and information sharing.
Cooperation with schools and their safeguarding personnel.

These procedures support the implementation of this statement and the protection of children participating in Cyclopath activities.

6. Safeguarding Contacts and Reporting

Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Relevant Person

Garreth Curran
Founder and Lead Instructor
Cyclopath Cycling School
Email: info@cyclopath.ie
Telephone: 089 272 8935

Garreth Curran is present during programme delivery and is responsible for coordinating Cyclopath Cycling School’s safeguarding arrangements.

Instructors must promptly report any child safeguarding concerns to the DLP.

Where a concern relates to Cyclopath’s DLP, or the DLP is unexpectedly unavailable, the concern should ordinarily be reported to the host school’s Designated Liaison Person or Deputy Designated Liaison Person, where appropriate.

Any person may report a child protection or welfare concern directly to Tusla. Reporting a concern to Cyclopath or the host school does not replace any individual statutory reporting obligation.

No person is required to obtain permission from Cyclopath or the school before making a report to Tusla.

Where a child is in immediate danger, An Garda Síochána should be contacted by calling 999 or 112.

7. Working with Schools

Cyclopath Cycling School works collaboratively with school principals, teachers, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and school safeguarding personnel.

The host school retains its own child safeguarding responsibilities, while Cyclopath remains responsible for safeguarding practices within its service.

School staff may assist with supervision where only one Cyclopath instructor is present, provided they remain present throughout the session.

Safeguarding information will be shared with appropriate school personnel where necessary and lawful, while respecting confidentiality and applicable reporting requirements.

8. Implementation and Review

Cyclopath Cycling School is committed to implementing this Child Safeguarding Statement and ensuring that instructors understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

The statement is made available to instructors, schools, parents, guardians and other relevant parties, and is published on the Cyclopath Cycling School website.

The statement and supporting risk assessment will be reviewed at least every two years, or sooner where there are significant changes to legislation, guidance, activities or identified safeguarding risks.

Approved by: Garreth Curran
Position: Founder and Lead Instructor
Relevant Person: Garreth Curran
Date adopted: 19 October 2026
Next review: By 19 October 2028

Appendix A: Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

This assessment identifies potential risks of harm to children participating in Cyclopath Cycling School activities and the safeguards intended to minimise those risks.

It addresses child safeguarding risks rather than general cycling safety hazards.

1. Inadequate Supervision

Risk: A child may be exposed to inappropriate behaviour, abuse or other harm where adequate adult supervision is not maintained.

Controls:

A minimum of two adults must be present during cycling instruction.
Where only one Cyclopath instructor is present, a school staff member must also be present throughout.
Sessions must not proceed without the required supervision.
Isolated one-to-one situations are avoided.
On-road training requires two Cyclopath instructors.

2. Inappropriate Physical Contact

Risk: Unnecessary or inappropriate physical contact during cycling instruction.

Controls:

Physical assistance is limited to what is necessary for instruction or safety.
Assistance is explained to the child where appropriate.
Instructors respect children’s dignity, boundaries and individual needs.
Physical assistance takes place in appropriately supervised settings.

3. Bullying, Discrimination or Inappropriate Conduct

Risk: Children may experience bullying, discrimination, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour.

Controls:

Instructors follow a professional code of conduct.
Children are treated fairly and respectfully.
Instructors intervene promptly where inappropriate behaviour occurs.
Concerns are recorded and escalated through safeguarding procedures.

4. On-Road Cycling Activities

Risk: Children may be exposed to inappropriate interactions or safeguarding risks while participating in activities away from school premises.

Controls:

Only pupils assessed as road ready participate.
A maximum of 10 pupils participate in each on-road group.
Two Cyclopath instructors supervise each group.
Pupils remain appropriately supervised throughout the activity.
Instructors maintain professional boundaries with pupils and members of the public.

5. Children with Additional Needs

Risk: Children with additional needs may experience inappropriate assistance, inadequate supervision, discrimination or a failure to recognise safeguarding concerns.

Controls:

Activities are adapted to individual needs and abilities.
Instructors work collaboratively with teachers and SNAs.
Children’s dignity, communication needs and personal boundaries are respected.
Appropriate adult supervision is maintained throughout activities.

6. Photography and Video Recording

Risk: Inappropriate photography, recording without permission, identification of children through published material or unauthorised access to images.

Controls:

Photography and filming focus on group cycling activities.
No child will be deliberately photographed or filmed individually.
Appropriate permissions and school photography requirements are observed.
Children without the necessary permissions are excluded from photography and recording.
Children’s faces are blurred before publication.
Other identifying details are assessed before publication.
Images and recordings are stored securely, with access restricted to authorised personnel.
Images and recordings are retained only for as long as necessary.

7. Failure to Recognise or Report Safeguarding Concerns

Risk: A child protection or welfare concern may not be recognised, recorded or reported appropriately.

Controls:

Instructors receive appropriate safeguarding training.
Safeguarding concerns are promptly communicated to Cyclopath’s DLP.
Concerns are documented and handled confidentially.
Where concerns involve the DLP, the host school’s DLP or Tusla may be contacted.
Individuals retain the right and any statutory obligation to report directly to Tusla.

8. Allegations Against Instructors

Risk: An allegation involving a Cyclopath instructor may not be managed appropriately.

Controls:

Allegations are handled in accordance with Children First guidance.
The safety and welfare of the child take priority.
Concerns are reported to the appropriate safeguarding personnel and Tusla where required.
Cyclopath instructors do not independently investigate allegations of child abuse.
Confidentiality and appropriate recordkeeping are maintained.

9. Recruitment, Vetting and Training

Risk: Unsuitable or inadequately trained individuals may be involved in delivering activities to children.

Controls:

Cyclopath instructors must meet appropriate Garda vetting requirements.
Relevant safeguarding training is required.
Recruitment and selection procedures consider suitability to work with children.
Safeguarding responsibilities and professional conduct requirements are communicated to instructors.

Risk Assessment Review

Responsible Person: Garreth Curran
Position: Founder and Lead Instructor
Review Frequency: At least every two years, or sooner where required
Status: Approved and adopted on 19 October 2026
Next review: By 19 October 2028