The Designated Children’s Safeguarding Officer (DCSO) plays a fundamental role in the creation of a child-centred ethos that promotes the positive aspects of football.
This can be achieved by communicating to every adult in the club that they have a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and young people to protect them from inappropriate behaviour and to promote a culture of safety and fun.
To do this, the DCSO requires certain knowledge and skills - some of which are a pre-requisite for the role, and others that can be obtained through training and experience. The DCSO should be the first point of contact for anyone who feels the need to raise concerns about poor practice and/or abuse at club level.
Roles and responsibilities of Designated Children’s Safeguarding Officer
Work with others in the club to ensure a positive child centred environment
Assist the club to fulfil its responsibilities to safeguard all youth football players
Assist the club to implement its Safeguarding Children Policy
Make themselves known to and be the first point of contact for staff, volunteers, parents, children and young people at the club
Ensure all club members, volunteers, coaches, players and parents are aware of, and adhere to, the club Code of Conduct
Maintain contact details for Health and Social Care Trusts, the PSNI and any other relevant safeguarding body
Ensure all club volunteers who are responsible for supervising children have completed necessary Access NI checks prior to taking up their role and update them every 3 years
Ensure all club volunteers have participated in the Irish FA’s Safeguarding Children and Young People training and participate in refresher training every 3 years
Sit on the club's management committee and report back appropriately
Ensure the Irish FA is provided with safeguarding compliance requests including but not limited to contact details of the DCS) and alternative point of contact, preferably a Chairperson and relevant safeguarding records within the club
Maintain accurate and up to date records of all club volunteers including coaching qualifications, vetting check outcome, and safeguarding training dates
Share club safeguarding requests with each league / SSG the club participates in prior to each season and update as necessary
Characteristics of an effective Designated Children's Safeguarding Officer
Skills/Qualities of Designated Children’s Safeguarding Officer |
Knowledge |
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Basic advice and support-provision skills |
Awareness of the clubs legal and moral responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children and young people in the club |
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Good communication skills – verbal and written |
Awareness of the Irish FA’s policy and procedures for Safeguarding children and Young People in Football including procedures for vetting checks |
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Be approachable |
Knowledge of the club’s policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people |
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Have a child-centred ethos
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Awareness of local statutory bodies responsible for safeguarding |
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Trustworthy
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Knowledge of reporting procedures for any safeguarding issues |
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Sensitive
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Knowledge of what is poor practice and abuse – behaviour that is harmful to children |
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Impartial and fair
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Core values and principles underpinning practice |
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Non-judgmental
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Awareness of how adults groom/entrap children for abuse |
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Equitable
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Discreet
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Be organised and efficient
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Maintain accurate and up to date records of any incidents/issues |
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Ability to handle and manage confidential material |
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IT literate |
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Essential criteria
Full attendance at the Irish FA Safeguarding Children and Young People in Football Course
Full attendance at Irish FA Safeguarding for Designated Children’s Safeguarding Officer
Satisfactory Access NI check.