CHILD WELFARE ROLES

CHILD WELFARE AND SAFEGUARDING ROLES

All Clubs affiliated to the FAI are required to have two key roles in place to fulfil the Child welfare and safeguarding roles and responsibilities within the Organisation. These two roles are Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liaison Person.

Club Children’s Officer

(a) The appointment of a Club/League Children’s Officer is an essential element in the creation of a
quality atmosphere in any club.
(b) They act as a resource to members with regard to Children’s issues and also ensure that Children
have a voice in the running of the club and can freely talk about their experiences.
(c) The Children’s Officer should be a member of or have access to, the Club’s Management
Committee.
(d) To undertake the role of Children’s Officer, the individual must have completed the Safeguarding 1
and Safeguarding 2 courses.

The Club Children’s Officer roles and responsibilities are:

  •  Be familiar with the FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy, Complaints and Disciplinary procedures,
  • Social Media Policy and any other relevant guidelines.
  •  Implement Child centred policies and procedures within the football organisation
  • Ensure safe recruitment procedures are in place
  • Have completed the Risk Assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement
  • Promotion of Child Safeguarding Statement and be the first point of call for it
  • Host regular information meetings and get parental involvement
  • Ensure that Club/League members are adequately trained and adhere to the Child Welfare and
    Safeguarding Policy
  •  Ensure that there are accurate and up to date records of coaches and volunteers training and Garda
    Vetting Clearance
  • Monitor movement and drop out of players and volunteers.
  • Handle any complaints received regarding poor practise.
  • Make contact with League, Affiliate and National roles.

Children’s Officers do not have the responsibility of investigating or validating Child protection concerns within the Club/League and have no counselling or therapeutic role. This responsibility lies with the Gardaí, Tusla or the HSE.

Designated Liaison Person

(a) The Clubs, Leagues, Provisional Associations and other football bodies Designated Liaison Person

shall be the Chairperson who will be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of

Children.


(b) The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of Child abuse

to Tusla and/or An Garda Siochana,


(c) Support and advice is available from the Football Association of Ireland’s Child Welfare and

Safeguarding Manager, who is also the Mandated Person.


(d) To undertake the role of Designated Liaison Person, the individual must have completed the

Safeguarding 1 and Safeguarding 3 course.


(e) Clubs, Leagues, Provisional Association and other football bodies should make the name and

contact details of the Designated Liaison Person available to all staff and volunteers working within the

Organisation. It may also be useful to appoint a Deputy Liaison Person who can fulfil the role when the

Designated Liaison Person is not available.

The Designated Liaison Person Roles and Responsibilities are:

  • Have knowledge of the Code of Ethics, and statutory requirements Have a knowledge of categories
    and indicators of abuse
  • Be familiar with and able to carry out reporting procedures using the correct forms, (see appendix 6
    for forms).
  • Communicate with parents and/or agencies as appropriate
  • Assist with the ongoing development and implementation or Child protection training needs
  • Liaise with the League Officers and FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding Manager in relation to Child
    protection training needs.
  • Be aware of local contacts and services in relation to Child protection, i.e. principal and duty social
    workers and their contacts.
  • To inform duty social worker in Tusla – Child and Family agency and/ or An Garda Siochana of relevant
    concerns about individual Children, using the Reporting Form, keep a copy of this form and ensure
    acknowledgement of receipt of this form.
  • Reporting poor practise to their relevant governing body having ensured that any concerns regarding
    Child protection issues have been reported to the relevant Statutory Authority.
  • Advise Administrators on issues of confidentiality, record keeping and data protection.

Designated Liaison Persons do not have the responsibility of investigating or validating Child protection
concerns within the Club/League and have no counselling or therapeutic role. This responsibility lies with
the Gardaí, Tusla or the HSE.

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