CHILD PROTECTION & WELFARE POLICY STATEMENT

Bunratty Cratloe FC 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.  

Bunratty Cratloe FC is a football club operating on a local scale providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in the Clare Schoolboys/girls Soccer League.  We offer sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 4.   Bunratty Cratloe FC recruits over 30 volunteers annually with over 300 participants across all adult and underage teams.  

Bunratty Cratloe 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.   Our Code of Conduct enshrines this policy.

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.

Bunratty Cratloe 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 Bunratty Cratloe 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 4 March 2022. The attached document lists the area of Risk identified and the list of procedures and policies for managing these risks.

Bunratty Cratloe Football Club’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).

Bunratty Cratloe 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 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 Bunratty Cratloe Football Club is Christine McNamara and the Designated Liaison person is Cathal Jones

Bunratty Cratloe 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 on 31 March 2023 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 Bunratty Cratloe FC website; 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:   CATHAL JONES       10 March 2022

CHAIRPERSON BUNRATTY CRATLOE FC

Child Welfare Officer:     Christine McNamara (087)7588699

Designated Liason Person:   Cathal Jones (086) 8109230