Child Safeguarding Statement

Knocklyon United is a football club operating on a Local scale, providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people. The clubs offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 5.

The club is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies and procedures, our volunteers and employees working with our children and young people, throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe and fun environment for children and young people to participate in their sport.

The Club’s written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents required to alleviate these risks. The list of risks identified are contained in the following categories: Club and Coaching Practices; Complaints & Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications; and General Risk of Harm. The list of procedures for managing these risks, available on request. The Risk Assessment was undertaken in February 2020

The Knocklyon United 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).

In addition to the procedures listed in the Knocklyon United Risk Assessment document, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

The club has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:

• Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by volunteers or employees 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;
• 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.

The Mandated Person/ Relevant person for the Club is Amanda Mowlds

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the accompanying child welfare 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 in February 2020 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 club’s website and displayed in a prominent place on the premises.

It has been provided to all volunteers, staff 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.

On behalf of the Club

For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact relevant person:
 Amanda Mowlds childwelfare@knocklyonfc.com