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Child Safeguarding Statement

Child Safeguarding Statement

Galway United FC, in accordance with the FAI Rulebook, 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. Galway United FC is a football club providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in football. Galway United FC 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 our Rulebook, Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy, other policies and procedures that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. Galway United 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, Galway United 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 16/10/2020. The table below lists the areas of risk identified and the list of procedures and policies for managing these risks:

Risk Identified Procedures and Policies in place
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
  • Coach Education policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Recruitment 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
  • Supervision policy
  • Away Trip policy
  • Code of Conduct
Risk of harm of online abuse through social media
  • FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy
  • FAI Social Media policy
  • Photography and use of Images policy
  • Code of Conduct
Bullying of a child
  • FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy
  • FAI Concern-Complaint policy
  • FAI Social Media policy
  • Supervision policy
  • Code of Conduct

 

Galway United FC’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). Each Football Association of Ireland affiliated Club/League publishes their own Club Child Safeguarding Statement.

Galway United FC 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. Policies and the Rulebook are available on fai.ie/domestic.

FAI and Club Contacts

The Mandated Person for the FAI is Kirsten Pakes, kirsten.pakes@fai.ie, (01) 899 9319.

The Designated Liaison Person for Galway United is Rosemary Killilea, 086 336 0488.
The Deputy Designated Person is Stephen Long, 083 130 0565.
The Club Children’s Officer is Colin Coyle, 086 441 6228.
You can also contact us at welfare@galwayunitedfc.ie.

Galway United FC recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our club 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 yearly 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 Galway United’s website, galwayunitedfc.ie/safeguarding, 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.

 

 

 

Rosemary Killilea,
Club Designated Liaison Officer.
welfare@galwayunitedfc.ie
086 3360488.

This version dated: Wednesday, February 1st, 2023