Wicklow Rovers AFC

Child Safeguarding Statement

Wicklow Rovers AFC in accordance with the FAI Rulebook, FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy, other FAI policies, procedures and our legislative requirements have agreed this Child Safeguarding Statement which is binding on all members. Wicklow Rovers AFC is a football club operating on a regional scale providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs. Wicklow Rovers AFC offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 3. Wicklow Rovers AFC recruits over 30 volunteers with over 280 participants. Wicklow Rovers AFC is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies and procedures, our staff, both volunteers and employed working with our children and young people, throughout the Association, seek to create a safe and fun environment for children and young people to participate in their sport.
Principles to Safeguard Children from Harm

This statement recognises that in accordance with legislation and the requirements of FAI Rulebook, FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy, other FAI policies and procedures that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. Wicklow Rovers AFC is established on a number of core principles:

- the needs of the Child, integrity and respect, environment, equality, fair play, welfare and safety in football. These underlying principles underpin our rules, policies and procedures to ensure that when Children participating in our activities, they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Risk Assessment

In preparing this statement Wicklow Rovers AFC have completed a Risk Assessment of the potential risk of harm to children when they are participating in any of our games and attending our activities. The risks were reviewed under the following headings; Club and Coaching Practices; Complaints & Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications; and General Risk of Harm. The Risk Assessment was undertaken on (Insert date). The table below lists the area of Risk identified and the list of procedures and policies for managing these risks
 
 
Risk Identified
Procedures/Policies in place
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Risk of harm including assault, ill treatment or neglect of a child in a manner that seriously affects or is likely to seriously affect the child’s health, development or welfare or sexual abuse of child
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Concern-Complaint policy

·       FAI Rulebook

·       Safeguarding training

·       (add any additional policies, procedures or code of Conducts)
1.FAI Child Welfare & Safeguarding Policy

 
Risk of harm of abuse when hosting an activity and or an away trip
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Concern-Complaint policy

·       Safeguarding training

·       (add any additional policies, procedures or code of Conducts)
2. FAI Concern-Complaint Policy

 
Risk of harm of online abuse through social media
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Social Media policy

·       (add any additional policies, procedures or code of Conducts)
3. FAI Social Media Policy

 
Bullying of a child
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Concern-Complaint policy

·       FAI Social Media policy

·       (add any additional policies, procedures or code of Conducts)
4. FAI Rulebook

Wicklow Rovers AFC’s Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of

Children (2017), and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice).
Wicklow Rovers AFC has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:

·       Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities;

·       Procedures for the safe recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities;

·       Procedures for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm;

·       Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities;

·       Procedures for maintaining a list of the persons in the relevant service who are mandated;

·       Procedure for appointing a relevant person.
All procedures/policies listed are available on request. FAI Policies and the FAI Rulebook are available on www.fai.ie/domestic
The Mandated person for Wicklow Rovers AFC is Kirsten Pakes of the FAI and the Designated Liaison person is Maria Lewins.
Wicklow Rovers AFC recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Wicklow Rovers AFC is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the accompanying child welfare and safeguarding policies and procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while participating in our activities. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on 9th June 2022 or as soon as practicable after there has been material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

This statement has been published on Wicklow Rovers AFC website; http://www.wicklowrovers.com/ and displayed in a prominent place on the premises.

It has been provided to all staff, volunteers and any other persons involved with the service. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and members of the public if requested.
 

Signed:                                                                                                                                   Date: 9th June 2020

                 Stephen Clarke

                 Club Secretary on behalf of Wicklow Rovers AFC.

For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact Maria Lewins by calling 086 085 1669 or emailing marialewins@gmail.com