Shannon Town Utd AFC  in accordance with the FAI Rulebook, FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy, other FAI policies, procedures and our legislative requirements have agreed on this Child Safeguarding Statement which is binding on all members. Shannon Town Utd AFC is a soccer club operating on a local scale providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs.  Shannon Town Utd AFC offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 4 years. Shannon Town Utd AFC recruits over 50 volunteers with over 250 participants. Shannon Town Utd AFC 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. Shannon Town Utd AFC  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 participate in our activities, they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Risk Assessment

In preparing this statement the Shannon Town Utd AFC 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 28/02/2022.  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 a 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

• Shannon Town Utd AFC  Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy
• Shannon Town Utd AFC Concern-Complaint policy
• Safeguarding training

Risk Identified

Risk of harm of online abuse through social media

Procedures/Policies in place

• Shannon Town Utd AFC Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy
• Shannon Town Utd AFC Social Media policy

 Risk Identified

Bullying of a child

Procedures/Policies in place

• Shannon Town Utd AFC Child Welfare and Safeguarding policy
• Shannon Town Utd AFC Concern-Complaint policy
• Shannon Town Utd AFC Social Media policy

The Shannon Town Utd AFC’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).

Shannon Town Utd AFC 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 the Shannon Town Utd AFC is Louise McNamara  and the Designated Liaison Person is Gerard Kelly

Shannon Town Utd AFC recognises 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 28/02/2024 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

This statement has been published on the Shannon Town Utd AFC 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: Louise McNamara                                                                                                                            Date: 28/02/2024

(On behalf of Shannon Town Utd AFC)

For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact relevant person Louise McNamara  0863488966