Club Policies

Fair play is the guiding principle of the Irish Sports Councils Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport.

It states that “sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play”.

Ireland has contributed and is committed to the European Code of Sports Ethics, which defines fair play as: “much more than playing within the rules”.

It incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always playing with the right spirit.

Fair play is defined as a way of thinking, not just behaving. It incorporates issues concerned with the elimination of opportunities, excessive commercialisation and corruption. 

https://www.fai.ie/sites/default/files/atoms/files/FAI%20Child%20Welfare%20Safeguarding%20Policy.pdf

Role & responsibilities of the Designated Liason Person:

Designated Liaison Person shall mean the person who is responsible for ensuring that reporting procedures within the Club/League are followed so that child welfare and protection concerns are referred promptly to Statutory Authorities and will also liaise with outside agencies. Additionally, they will be a resource person to any employee or volunteer who has child protection concerns.

The Designated Liaison Person Roles and Responsibilities are;

• Have knowledge of the Code of Ethics, and statutory requirements
• Have 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 of 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 practice 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.

Role & responsibilities of the Clubs/League Children’s Officer:

Clubs/League Children’s Officer shall mean the person to who the Child welfare day-to-day functions are delegated. Their remit shall be a key component of the Safeguarding Statement and they shall be the Relevant Person for the Child Safeguarding Statement.

The Club/League Children’s Officer’s 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 dropout of players and volunteers.
• Handle any complaints received regarding poor practice.
• Make contact with League, Affiliate and National roles.

• In addition to the functions outlined above, all Affiliate League Children’s Officers should ensure that
all affiliated clubs with members under the age of eighteen have at least one Club Children’s Officer
appointed, and that the clubs have completed a Risk Assessment and have a Child Safeguarding Statement in place. The League Children’s Officer should also maintain a database with all of this information, along with training records of all the Club’s Children’s Officers which should be forwarded to the Football Association of Ireland’s Child Welfare and Safeguarding Manager on an annual basis