Safeguarding at WYLDE
At WYLDE, the safety and wellbeing of every participant come first. All academy sessions are supervised by trained and Garda-vetted staff, with players grouped by age to ensure appropriate guidance and support. We follow recognised child protection practices and uphold the highest safeguarding standards across all activities.
Child-Friendly Safeguarding Statement
At WYLDE, your safety and wellbeing always come first. We want every player, student, and team member to feel supported, respected, and included – whether you’re training, competing, or just taking part in an event.
Our Promise
- We make sure every session, event, and activity is safe, positive, and age-appropriate.
- All our staff, coaches, and mentors are Garda-vetted and trained in child protection.
- Everyone who works with us follows clear rules about respect, communication, and boundaries.
- We include and support players of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities.
- We take online safety seriously – we expect everyone to behave respectfully both in-game and in chat.
If You Ever Feel Unsafe or Worried
- You can talk to any WYLDE staff member or your Designated Liaison Person (DLP).
- The DLP is there to listen, help, and make sure the right steps are taken.
- We promise to treat any concern seriously and handle it quickly and fairly.
Everyone Has a Part to Play
- We all share responsibility for keeping WYLDE a safe and positive space.
- That means being kind, looking out for each other, and speaking up if something doesn’t feel right.
- At WYLDE, we believe esports should be a place where every young person feels seen, valued, and safe.
Child Safeguarding Statement
WYLDE provides esports training, coaching, and club-based gaming activities to children and young people, including under-18s. In accordance with the Children First Act 2015 and relevant guidance from Tusla and the HSE, we recognise our statutory duty to safeguard the welfare of children. This document is our public commitment to protecting children from harm while participating in WYLDE activities.
We commit to providing a safe, positive, respectful and inclusive environment for all young participants, regardless of gender, neurodiversity, or additional access needs. Children’s wellbeing and safety are our top priority.
We follow strict safeguarding procedures to ensure that all sessions, events, and interactions are conducted in an age-appropriate, supportive manner.
To meet our safeguarding obligations and maintain a safe environment for children, WYLDE implements the following measures and procedures:
- All adult staff, coaches, volunteers and mentors are Garda-vetted before they engage with under 18s.
- All staff complete recognised child-protection training, including awareness of risks specific to esports – including online safety and appropriate online behaviour.
- We maintain, and make available on request, a Code of Behaviour for adults working with minors, which includes guidelines on appropriate communication, professional boundaries, supervision and avoiding one-to-one unsupervised interaction.
- We have a named Designated Liaison Person (DLP) responsible for managing any child protection concerns, ensuring they are recorded, acted on and if necessary reported to Tusla as per statutory requirements.
- We ensure clear, accessible reporting procedures for any safeguarding concerns raised by children, parents, staff or third parties.
- We treat all reports seriously and respond promptly and appropriately.
- We commit to equality and fairness: all participants are treated with dignity and respect; discrimination, harassment or bullying are not tolerated.
- WYLDE promotes children’s rights to be heard and to express their concerns. Young people and parents/guardians are given opportunities to raise questions or concerns.
- We will regularly review and update our safeguarding policies, at least every 24 months or sooner if there is any material change to how we operate.
As required under Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015, WYLDE has carried out an assessment of potential harm to children participating in our programmes. We have identified potential risks – including online safety (chat, voice, streaming), inappropriate contact, bullying, neglect or abuse – and put in place mitigation measures through staffing, supervision, training and conduct policies.
We keep a separate internal risk-assessment document summarising these risks and our control measures. This document is reviewed regularly and updated if there are changes to our operations, activities, or staff.
All adults working with minors agree to our Code of Behaviour which mandates:
- Respectful, professional communication at all times.
- Maintaining appropriate boundaries between staff and participants.
- No unsupervised one-to-one contact with minors.
- Fair and equitable treatment of all players.
- Adherence to safeguarding procedures and immediate reporting of concerns.
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is responsible for receiving reports or concerns, maintaining records, liaising with Tusla or other relevant authorities when required, and ensuring our safeguarding procedures are followed.
This Child Safeguarding Statement is publicly available and a copy can be provided to any parent, guardian, young person, or member of the public on request. All staff members have access to the full safeguarding policy and understand their responsibilities.
This Statement will be reviewed at least every 24 months or more frequently if there is a material change in WYLDE’s activities, structure or staffing.