Child Safeguarding Statement 2024

Tuam Celtic AFC 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. Tuam Celtic AFC is a football club operating on a local scale providing sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs. The club offers sporting activities to children and young people from the age of 3. Tuam Celtic AFC recruits over 85 volunteers with over 550 participants. Tuam Celtic 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 HarmThis 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. Tuam Celtic 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 participating in our activities, they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Risk AssessmentIn preparing this statement the club 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 the 16th of October 2024. The table below lists the area of Risk identified and the list of procedures and policies for managing these risks
	Risk Identified	Procedures/Policies in place	QR Code shortcut
	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 child	FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policyFAI Concern-Complaint policyFAI RulebookSafeguarding training	1.FAI Child Welfare & Safeguarding Policy
	Risk of harm of abuse when hosting an activity and or an away trip	FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policyFAI Concern-Complaint policySafeguarding training	2. FAI Concern-Complaint Policy
	Risk of harm of online abuse through social media	FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policyFAI Social Media policy	3. FAI Social Media Policy
	Bullying of a child	FAI Child Welfare and Safeguarding policyFAI Concern-Complaint policyFAI Social Media policy	4. FAI Rulebook

Tuam Celtic 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 ofChildren (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 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 (add in Club/League website if necessary)
The Mandated person for the club is Ashling Murphy CWO of Tuam Celtic and the Designated Liaison person is Tom Duffy, Vice Chairman
Tuam Celtic AFC 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 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 1st March 2024 or as soon as practicable after there has been material change in any matter to which the statement refers.This statement will be published on the Tuam Celtic 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: Liam Kilmartin, Secretary Date: 17th October 2024(On behalf of the Club) For further information on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact relevant person Ashling Murphy 0857193629