insurance question

king_of_inismac

Hey Guys,

Thought some of ye might have some info on this situation.

I've been asked to teach a short self-defence course to secondary school students.

I've done this a few times over the years. One problem though. My club insurance only covers the students within my club, and not anyone else.

I wonder would the schools insurance cover me, or should I give it a miss.

I've never had an accident in my years of teaching, but as I'm sure you're all aware, you have to be extremely careful....

Thanks,
M

Roper

Public liability within the school should cover you BUT you need to make sure you've been vetted by the Gardaí and that all the stuff you're teaching and the methods you're using conform to the code of ethics in the child protection policy. Your own club should have one available if they're dealing with children at all. The school can do the vetting for you, just ring them and ask them to do it.

It's not just a case of turning up and doing it. The school may be fine with it but it's better to protect yourself. Like you I've never had an incident but that doesn't mean there might never be an incident or even a misunderstanding which can be just as harmful.

king_of_inismac

Thanks for the help Roper,

Is this a normal thing to ask the school to do the vetting?

I've taught self-defence classes in this school before.

I'm afraid I don't have a "child protection policy", but as you've suggested, I should probably sit down with the senior members of the club and put something formal together.

Could you point me in the direction of some examples, or appropriate guidelines?

Thanks,
M

yomchi

king_of_inismac wrote: »

Thanks for the help Roper,

Is this a normal thing to ask the school to do the vetting?

I've taught self-defence classes in this school before.

I'm afraid I don't have a "child protection policy", but as you've suggested, I should probably sit down with the senior members of the club and put something formal together.

Could you point me in the direction of some examples, or appropriate guidelines?

Thanks,
M

Most schools i've been in have requested vetting procedures. They usually post out the documents to ask your permission then you send them back and they forward them on to the gardai. It's a hassle free procedure really and worth it too.
You can get all the child protection guidlines from the IMAC ( www.martialarts.ie ) including the code of ethics. Or if you're group are with an NGB affiliated to the IMAC you can get it through them, for instance the AKAI for kickboxing.

Best of luck

Roper

What Jon said.

Get a CPP in place as soon as you can for your own sake. Really it's CYA (cover your ass!)

Vetting doesn't cost you anything and it's peace of mind for the school. Even if they don't want you to get it, ask them to do it anyway.