Child Safeguarding Statement
St Kevin’s FC in accordance with our club Code of Conduct, 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.
St Kevin’s FC is a voluntary organisation that provides football activities, operating on a local scale. Providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in academy and league football. St Kevin’s FC offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 4 to 18. St Kevin’s has over 100 volunteers and over 650 participants. St Kevin’s FC is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our club code of conduct and the Safeguarding Policies and procedures of the FAI. Our Volunteers who are working with our children and young people, throughout the Club, 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. St Kevin’s Boys FC 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 St Kevin’s FC 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 2nd Oct 2023. 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 | Comments/Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | • SKFC Code of Conduct • FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy • FAI Concern-Complaint policy • FAI Rulebook • Safeguarding training | Ongoing coach and volunteer education |
| Risk of harm with regard to Behavioural issues, supervision issues, unauthorised photography and recording | • SKFC Code of Conduct • FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy • Club complaints procedure • Photography and use of image policy | Continued level 1 courses, Code of conduct review Monitor at training and games |
| Risk of harm with regard to Complaints and disciplinary procedures, complaint not dealt with seriously, reporting procedures. | • SKFC Code Of Conduct • FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy • Club complaints procedure | Continued coach and parent communication |
| Risk of unauthorised exit/access to children’s areas, missing or found child on site, access to dressing rooms and facilities | • SKFC Code of Conduct • Missing or found child policy • Restricted access policy for dressing rooms | Ongoing review and education, club personnel only in restricted areas. |
Child Safeguarding Statement
St Kevin’s FC 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 Tulsa’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice).
St Kevin’s 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 Further information can be found at www.skbfc.com or by Contacting Carole Daly Children’s Officer St Kevin’s FC on 0861733311
The mandated person for St Kevins FC is Kirsten Peakes of the FAI and the designated person for the Club is Michael O Callaghan Contact 086 8340648
St Kevin’s FC recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club is fully 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 2nd Oct 2024 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 the St Kevin’s FC website and is displayed in a prominent place on the premises See www.skbfc.com.
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: 02.10.23
On Behalf of St Kevin’s FC
For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact Carole Daly Children’s Officer on 086 1733311 or at caroledalyskb@gmail.com
