Child Safeguarding Statement

Laytown United is fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of child safeguarding, in line with all relevant legislation including the Children First Act 2015 and informed by best practice including Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017 edition) as published by the then-named Department of Children and Youth Affairs (now the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) as well as Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A guide for Policy Procedure and Practice. The safety, welfare and development of children and young people is a core objective and key priority for the club. Every member of Laytown United has a responsibility and a duty of care to ensure that every child/young person availing of our services is safe and protected from harm (physical/emotional/sexual abuse or neglect). The policies and procedures outlined in this Child Safeguarding Statement apply to all Department staff. Key child safeguarding principles:

  • The safety and protection of children who come into contact with Department officials is of paramount importance.

  • The club has introduced, and shall continue to implement, measures to raise awareness among all staff regarding child safeguarding principles and best practice.

  • Members who make disclosures about suspected child abuse or neglect are protected by relevant legislation, including the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998 which provides for the protection from civil liability of persons who have communicated child abuse or neglect ‘reasonably and in good faith’ to Tusla and/or An Garda Síochána. Staff should know that they are always correct to raise reasonable concerns, even if these are not validated in a subsequent Tusla assessment or Garda investigation, and responsible action at all times is strongly encouraged by this Department.

  • In line with best practice under Children First: National Guidance, a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) have been appointed (See Section 8).

  • All staff must undertake training on the Procedures for responding to child protection concerns which come to the attention of members of Laytown United FC.