Child Safeguarding Statement
Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) 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. Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL)  is a football club operating on a local  scale Providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs. Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL)  (offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 4-17. Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) recruits over 25 volunteers with over 200 participants. Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) 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. Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) 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 the Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) 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 30 September 2021. The table below lists the area of Risk identified and the list of procedures and policies for managing these risks

Risk Identified                                        

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

Procedures/Policies in place 
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Concern-Complaint policy

·       FAI Rulebook

·       Safeguarding training

Risk Identified                                        
Risk of harm of abuse when hosting an activity and or an away trip

Procedures/Policies in place 
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Concern-Complaint policy

·       Safeguarding training

 
Risk Identified                                        
Risk of harm of online abuse through social media

Procedures/Policies in place 
·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Social Media policy

 

Risk Identified                                        
Bullying of a child

Procedures/Policies in place 

·       FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy

·       FAI Concern-Complaint policy

     FAI Social Media policy
The Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) 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).

The Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) 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 Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) is Kirsten Pakes of the FAI and the Designated Liaison person for the club is Colman Lynch
Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our football 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 30 September 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 Stepaside FC (MGL and DDSL) website; stepasidefc.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:    Alan Lynch                                                                                                                          Date: 20 Sept 2022

Chairperson

For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact relevant person Colman Lynch (087 6866393)