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Club Safeguarding

Section 1 – Club Information

Liffeybank F.C. 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. Liffeybank is a Football Club operating on a local scale providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in our club. The Club offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 7 to 18. Liffeybank Football Club has recruited 44 volunteers with over 180 participants. Liffeybank Football Club is committed to safeguarding children and young people by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies and procedures. The volunteers 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

Section 2 - 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. Liffeybank Football Club adheres to the following set of principles:

  • Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in sport.
  • Needs of the child - All children’s sporting experiences should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical, and personal needs of young people.
  • Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with children in sport are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.
  • Fair Play - All children’s sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.
  • Quality atmosphere & ethos – Children’s sport should be conducted in a safe, positive, and encouraging atmosphere.
  • Competition - Competition is an essential element of sport and should be encouraged in an age-appropriate manner. A child-centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.
  • Equality - All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background, or political persuasion.

These underlying principles underpin our rules, policies and procedures to ensure that when children participate in our activities, they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Link to Downloadable FAI Concern - Complaint Procedure

Section 3 - Risk Assessment

This Liffeybank F.C. written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents require to alleviate these risks. The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:

Risk Identified

Procedure in place to manage risk identified

Club and Coaching Practices 1. Lack of coaching qualification.

  1. 2. Supervision issues.
  1. 3. Unauthorised photography & recording activities.
  1. 4. Behavioural Issues.
  1. 5. Lack of gender balance amongst coaches.
  1. 6. No guidance for travelling & away trips.
  1. 7. Lack of adherence with misc. procedures in Safeguarding policy.
  1. 1. Coach education policy/Recruitment policy.
  1. 2. Supervision policy/Coach education policy.
  1. 3. Photography & Use of Images policy.
  1. 4. Code of Conduct/Safeguarding1/ Complaints & Disciplinary policy.
  1. 5. Coach education policy/Supervision policy/recruitment of more female coaches
  1. 6. Travel/Away trip policy/Child Safeguarding Training.
  1. 7. Safeguarding Policy/Complaints & disciplinary policy.
  • 3. General behavioural issues.

    • Complaints & Discipline

    1. 1. Lack of awareness of a Complaints & Disciplinary policy.
    1. 2. Difficulty in raising an issue by child and/or parent or guardian.
    1. 3. Complaints not being dealt with seriously.

    Im

    1.

    2.

    3.

    mediate action needed

    Communication required within the club to ensure policies and procedures are accessible

    Complaints & Disciplinary procedure/policy/Communications procedure. Complaints & Disciplinary procedure/policy.

    Reporting Procedures

    1. 1. Lack of knowledge of organisational & statutory reporting procedures
    1. 2. No DLP appointed.
    1. 3. Concerns of abuse or harm not reported.
    1. 4. Not clear who young person should talk to or report to.

    1.

    2. 3.

    4.

    Reporting procedures/policy/Coach Education policy/Code of conduct/Behaviour.

    Reporting procedures/policy.

    Reporting procedures/policy/Child Safeguarding 1 Training.

    Post the names of CWO, DLP. Ensure all player, parents and coaches know who holds these roles within the Club. Provide opportunities for children and parents to meet with CWO and DLP.

    Use of Facilities

    1. 1. Unauthorised access to designated children’s play, practice areas and to changing rooms, showers, toilets etc.
    1. 2. Unauthorised exit from children’s areas.
    1. 3. Photography, filming or recording in prohibited areas.
    1. 4. Missing or found child on site.
    1. 5. Children sharing facilities with adults e.g. dressing room, showers etc.

    1. 2. 3. 4.

    5.

    Supervision policy/Coach Education.

    Supervision policy/Coach Education.

    Photography policy and use of devices in private zones.

    Missing or found child policy.

    Safeguarding policy.

    Recruitment

    1. Recruitment of inappropriate people.

    1.

    Recruitment policy.

    1. 2. Lack of clarity on roles.
    1. 3. Unqualified or untrained people in role.

    2. 3.

    Recruitment policy. Recruitment policy.

    Communications

    1. 1. Lack of awareness of ‘risk of harm’ with members and visitors.
    1. 2. No communication of Child Safeguarding Statement of Code of Behaviour to members of visitors.
    1. 3. Unauthorised photography and recording of activities.
    1. 4. Inappropriate use of social media and communications by under 18’s.

    1. 2. 3.

    4.

    Child Safeguarding Statement / Training Policy.

    Child Safeguarding Statement (display)/Code of Behaviour (distribute).

    Photography and Use of images policy

    Communications policy/Code of conduct.

    General Risk of Harm

    1. 1. Harm not being recognised.
    1. 2. Harm caused by:
    1. a. Child to Child.
    1. b. Coach to Child.
    1. c. Volunteer to Child.
    1. d. Member to Child.
    1. e. Visitor to Child.
      1. 4. Issues of Bullying.
      1. 5. Vetting of staff/volunteers.
      1. 6. Issues of Online Safety

      1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

      6.

      Safeguarding policy/Child Safeguarding Training.

      Safeguarding policy/Child Safeguarding Training.

      Code of Conduct.

      Anti-Bullying policy.

      Safe Recruitment policy/Vetting policy.

      Social Media/Online Safety policy.

      The Risk Assessment was undertaken on 01st of September 2024

      Section 4 – Procedures

      Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice (FAI). In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

      Liffeybank Football Club 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 of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities.
      • Procedures for 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.
      • Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.
      • Procedure for appointing a relevant person.

      Please note that all procedures listed are available on request.

      The Relevant Persons for Liffeybank Football Club are Antoinette Nolan D.L.P. and Simon Coburn C.W.O.

      Section 5 – Implementation

      We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities.

      Please note the following:

      • That all staff and volunteers have been furnished with a copy of this statement.
      • This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency, and members of the public on request.
      • This statement will be displayed on Liffeybank Football Club’s website.

      This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on 01/09/2025

      Signed: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

      (On behalf of Liffeybank Football Club – this is the Provider)

      Name: Antoinette Nolan Phone no: 0879496910

      For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact Antoinette Nolan or Simon Coburn by email: childwelfare@liffeybank.com

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