RECRUITMENT & SUPERVISION POLICY
Introduction
Firstly, it must be recognised that all executive officers, managers and lead coaches, assistant coaches, and all other helpers at Abbeyleix AFC, are all unpaid volunteers. Nevertheless, the club is fully committed to taking all reasonable steps to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with young people at the Club.
It is recognised that there are many individuals within the local community who have worked with young people in a voluntary capacity for many years. Whilst it is not being suggested that these individuals should now have to undergo a comprehensive recruitment process, it is considered in the best interests of the Club, the Club management, and crucially for the volunteers themselves, that all persons working with young people at Abbeyleix AFC undergo a realistic level of initial and on-going screening. The Club undertakes to do this in line with FAI Safeguarding policies and procedures
(1) Recruitment and management of volunteers at Abbeyleix AFC
At Abbeyleix AFC we are wholly dependent upon the support of parents to assist in the management and coaching of every juvenile team. There is often a direct family link between one or more of the players within the team and the parent(s) coaching that team. Nevertheless, the club has a duty of care to all the players across all the teams such that every volunteer parent/coach must undertake a core checking process and is then provided with some additional education to better able them to recognise potential risks and understand how to deal with any that might arise.
As such, the Clubs Volunteer Recruitment Procedure requires all volunteers to:
1. Complete the Club’s Application Form and provide two written character references.
2. Undertake a formal interview (as these are always required for positions involving working with young people).
3. Within all practicalities, be FAI Garda Vetted within six weeks of taking up the role (proof of being Garda Vetted via a different organisation allows the Club to extend this period to four months).
4. Have the key responsibilities of the role explained to them by an executive officer.
5. Be given a copy of the Clubs Child Safeguarding policy and be expected to fully read it.
6. Enrol on the FAI Child Safeguarding 1 course (see more details below) at the earliest opportunity and have completed this course within three months of taking up the roll.
(1.1) Provision of professional or third-party volunteer services
In the event of a professional organization or individual from another club providing services to Abbeyleix AFC, whenever there is any interaction with juvenile club members, evidence of and adherence to their own Child Safeguarding policy (and Garda vetting) should always be provided.
(1.2) FAI Safeguarding training
The FAI offers three safeguarding courses which have been developed by Sport Ireland. Each course is targeted at certain roles within the Club
Safeguarding 1- Basic awareness: This course is targeted at all volunteers, coaches, committee members and staff within a service for Children. It provides a good basic understanding of Child protection legislation and educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in football.
The course should be refreshed every 3 years. The initial course should be a face-to-face course (or via e-meeting post-Covid). After 3 years the individual can complete the Sport Ireland online refresher. Once the individual completes this online course, they should print off the completion certificate and attached it to the certificate obtained during the face-to-face course.
The individual will need to present both as evidence for the next 3 years. After the total 6-year period has completed then the individual will need to attend a face-to-face course again.
Safeguarding 2- Children’s Officer: This course is targeted at all volunteers who undertake the role of Children’s Officer. It provides a more in depth look at Child protection and helps Clubs to have a child centric approach with their services. It also helps explain the role of the Children’s Officer.
The Children’s Officer should do a refresher course within a 3-year period to ensure they are aware of any relevant legislation. The course must be completed by all Children’s Officers.
Safeguarding 3- Designated Liaison Person: This course is targeted at the Designated Liaison Person with Clubs/Leagues. It provides an in depth look at the Child protection legislations and the categories for abuse and reporting procedures. It also helps explain the role of the Designated Liaison Person.
The Designated Liaison Person should do a refresher course within a 3-year period to ensure they are
aware of any relevant legislation. The course must be completed by all Designated Liaison Persons.
More information on booking the courses or contacting tutors who can deliver the courses can be found on
the FAI website at https://www.fai.ie/domestic/safeguarding/training.
(1.3) Coaching Training and Qualifications
All coaches at the club will be required to undertake the First Player Development Programme (PDP1) coaching course within 12 months of taking on a coaching role. The club further encourages its coaches to progress to PDP2 and PDP3 at the earliest opportunities, plus undertake 5v5 and 7v7 courses, as and when appropriate.
(1.4) Supervision
a) A member of the Clubs Executive will endeavour to monitor all new coaches during their first season
with the club.
b) In addition, one of the established coaches, usually linked to the same team, will act as mentor for the
new coach during their first season.