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Edenderry Town FC 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. Edenderry Town FC is a soccer club operating on a local/county/regional scale providing activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs. Edenderry Town FC offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 4 years old. Edenderry Town FC recruits over 35 volunteers with over 200 participants. Edenderry Town FC 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 sport.

Principles to safeguard children from harm.

This statement recognises that in accordance with legislation and the requirements of the FAI rulebook, FAI child welfare and safeguarding policy, other FAI policies and procedures that the welfare and interest of children are paramount in all circumstances. Edenderry Town FC is established on several 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 Edenderry Town FC 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 10/03/2023. The table below lists the area of risk identified and the list of procedure and policies for managing these risks.

Edenderry Town FC’s Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015(the Children’s First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of children 2017 and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy Procedure and Practice).

The club has the following procedures in place as part of our safeguarding policy:

•             Procedures for the management of allegations or misconduct by volunteers against a child availing of our activities.

•             Procedures for the safe recruitment and selection of volunteers who work with children in our activities.

•             Procedure for the 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 for Edenderry Town FC are available on request from any committee member.

The mandated person for Edenderry Town FC is Richie Byrne and the Designated Liaison Person is Seamus Kane.

Edenderry Town FC recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club is committed to the implementation of this child safeguarding statement and the accompanying child welfare and safeguard 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 10^th March 2025 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 Edenderry Town FC Website and displayed on the clubs notice board in our club house.

It has been provided to all volunteers and any other person involved with the club. 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 interested.

Signed: _____Seamus Kane_______                                                         Date: __10/03/2023______

                                Chairman

For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact Richie Byrne, Child Welfare Officer, Edenderry Town FC, Tel: 087-8266242