The welfare of children and young people is of paramount importance to Ridgeway Rovers FC. We endeavour to provide an environment which values and protects all children and young people, in all aspects of football that we facilitate, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religious belief, nationality and disability.

It is our policy and commitment to protect children and young people involved in football from inappropriate behaviour and all types of abuse.

The Children (NI) Order 1995 is based on a clear and consistent set of principles designed with the common aim of promoting the welfare of children and young people. Children and young people have the right to be safe. Ridgeway Rovers FC volunteers have a duty to ensure that this fundamental principle takes precedence over all other considerations.

Our endeavours to safeguard children and young people our care by:

• recognising and communicating to all volunteers that children have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse and harm;

• appointing a Safeguarding/Child Welfare Officer to oversee the implementation and development of safeguarding best practice;

• following carefully the procedures for recruiting and selecting volunteers and providing effective management for volunteers through supervision, support and training;

• disseminating the required code of behaviour for everyone involved within Ridgeway Rovers FC programmes, and ensuring the code is adhered to at all times;

• sharing information about safeguarding best practice with everyone involved at Ridgeway Rovers FC;

• educating volunteers about the signs and indicators of abuse and how to respond appropriately;

• ensuring that all allegations of abuse are responded to promptly, in a confidential manner and in line with statutory and IFA guidelines;

• sharing information about concerns with safeguarding agencies that need to know, and involving children and young people and their parents or guardians if appropriate;

• reviewing the Ridgeway Rovers FC Safeguarding Children and Young People in Football Policy and Procedures every five years to ensure it reflects current statutory and Association requirements.

Scope

This policy document covers all functions of Ridgeway Rovers FC and applies to all volunteers, in particular those who engage in regulated activity with children and young people.

This Safeguarding Children and Young People in Football Policy Statement is displayed and available on our website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/ridgewayroversfootballclub for all interested parties to read.

Policy Review

The Ridgeway Rovers Committee has a responsibility to ensure the implementation of all policies required to govern the club, including its safeguarding policy, by reviewing the policy every 5 years.

Key Principles

• The safety and welfare of every child and young person is of paramount importance and must take precedence over all other considerations at all times.

• Children and young people have the right to be treated equally, to be believed and to be protected from abuse and harm. Volunteers have a moral and statutory duty of care towards children and young people in their care.

• The club will continuously work to ensure that all children and young people can enjoy the positive benefits of football by participating in an environment that is safe and free from harm. Any behaviour that compromises the safety and wellbeing of children and young people must be reported immediately. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and acted upon in line with statutory and Irish Football Association guidelines.

Core Values

Equality

Ridgeway Rovers FC is committed to promoting the importance of equality so that every child and young person involved in our football programmes is presented with an opportunity to participate in the game regardless of their – or their parents’ or guardians’ - age, gender, ethnicity, religious belief, nationality, political opinion and disability.

Confidentiality

Ridgeway Rovers FC volunteers should adhere to the principles of confidentiality except where the information relates to the safety and welfare of a child or young person, in which case the information must be reported to the safeguarding/Child Welfare Officer or, when appropriate, to the relevant statutory organisation/s. Considerations of confidentiality must never be allowed to override the rights of children and young people to be protected from harm. Volunteers have a responsibility to ensure that information pertaining to a child protection concern is communicated on a ‘need to know’ basis, with the welfare of the child or young person remaining paramount. The Club will make every effort to ensure that confidentiality is maintained when an allegation is being investigated.

Integrity in Relationships

Any volunteer who interacts with children and young people is deemed to be in a position of considerable trust and influence. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that all children and young people who engage in club programmes are treated with integrity and respect – which is their right as defined in the UN Convention On The Rights Of The Child (1989).

All decisions and actions pertaining to the welfare and development of a child or young person should reflect this principle. Volunteers must never use their position of trust for personal gain or to exercise an inappropriate influence. Any form of abusive behaviour, including bullying, towards a child or young person is unacceptable. Volunteers are required to challenge and report any inappropriate behaviour with or towards a child or young person.

Fair Play

Football should be conducted in an atmosphere which promotes fair play. The club 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 within the right spirit. Fair play is defined as a way of thinking, not just a way of behaving. It incorporates issues concerned with the elimination of cheating, gamesmanship, doping, violence (both physical and verbal), exploitation, unequal opportunities, excessive commercialisation and corruption).

Every person who engages in club programmes has a responsibility to promote and adhere to the principles of fair play. Any behaviour that compromises the principle of fair play, and thus brings the Association into disrepute, will be treated seriously and appropriately sanctioned.

Competition

Competition is an essential part of football and, when conducted in the right manner, can contribute to a child’s or young person’s development. Through competition children and young people learn respect for opponents, officials and the laws of the game. Too often competitive demands are placed on children and young people too early, resulting in increased pressure and consequent drop-out from football. Volunteers have a responsibility to ensure that competitive standards are age appropriate. Competition and results must never override the welfare of children and young people in their care.