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Procedures for Dealing with Child Abuse Concerns or Allegations
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Procedure for Dealing with Child Abuse Concerns or Allegations
It is important to note that the investigation of suspected child abuse is the responsibility of the Statutory Authorities (Gardaí, Health Board) and should not be undertaken by Children’s Officers or any other Club/League. All allegations of child abuse must be referred to the Statutory Authorities.
When an allegation is received it should be assessed promptly and carefully. It will be necessary to decide whether a formal report should be made to the health board and this decision should be based on reasonable grounds for concern.
The following examples would constitute reasonable grounds for concern:
1. a specific indication from a child that (s)he was abused;
2. a statement from a person who witnessed abuse;
3. an illness, injury or behaviour consistent with abuse;
4. a symptom which may not in itself be totally consistent with abuse, but which is supported by corroborative evidence of deliberate harm or negligence;
5. consistent signs of neglect over a period of time.
Step One
Should the Chairperson be unsure whether reasonable grounds for concern exist s/he can informally consult with the local health board duty social worker. S/he will be advised whether the matter requires a formal report. Coaches/volunteers may be subjected to erroneous or malicious allegations. Therefore, any allegation of abuse should be dealt with sensitively and appropriate support should be provided for staff/volunteers including counselling where necessary.
Step Two
Should Ratoath Harps Football Club become aware of an allegation of abuse of a child or children by a coach/volunteer during the execution of that coach’s/volunteer’s duties, the Chairman will privately inform the coach/volunteer of the following:
- the fact that the allegation has been made against him/her;
- the nature of the allegation.
Step Three The coach/volunteer should be afforded an opportunity to respond. The Chairman will note the response and pass on this information when making the formal report to the health board.
The report to the Health Board should contain observations, dates, times, locations and contexts in which the incident occurred, or suspicion was aroused, together with any other relevant information.
In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk and the Chairperson is unable to contact a duty social worker, the Gardaí shall be contacted.
Under no circumstances will a child be left in a dangerous situation pending intervention by the Statutory Authorities
Step Four
The Chairperson, if reporting suspected or actual child abuse to the Statutory Authorities will first inform the family of his/her intention to make such a report, unless doing so would endanger the child or undermine any investigation.
Step Five
All subsequent actions following an allegation of abuse against a coach/volunteer will be taken in consultation with the Health Board and An Garda Síochána. An immediate meeting will be sought with these two agencies for this purpose. The Football Association of Ireland National Children’s Officer is also available to provide support and advice. He can be contacted at any time Tel. 0879691422
Step Six
Under Football Association of Ireland rules, any coach/volunteer/manager who is the subject of a statutory investigation into alleged child abuse, is required to stand down from all soccer activities until the investigation is completed. Therefore, the FAI National Children’s Officer Tel. 087 9691422 must be informed immediately of any formal notification to the Statutory Authorities.
When a person is asked to stand down it should be made clear that it is a precautionary measure in keeping with standard procedures/guidelines and will not prejudice any later disciplinary proceedings. The coach/volunteer concerned should be advised that the procedures being undertaken are in accordance with statutory requirements. He or she should be treated with respect and fairness and be assured that all information will be dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner.
Step Seven
The Club will carefully consider the outcome of the statutory investigation and will then assess if there are any outstanding disciplinary issues in relation to their internal rules or infringements of the Football Association of Ireland best practice guidelines. It must be remembered that the fact that the alleged abuser has not been prosecuted or been found guilty does not mean that they are appropriate to work with young people in the future.
Internal Club disciplinary proceedings can only be initiated after the Statutory Authorities have completed their investigation.
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