Version dated 16.11.20
section 1
The key principles of The FA Safeguarding Children Policy are that:
a. The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
b. All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith, belief, bullying or Intimidation.
c. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
d. Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential.
a. The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
b. All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith, belief, bullying or Intimidation.
c. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
d. Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential.
section 2
Every child or young person whatever race/gender who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
section 3
Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth has a key role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that The Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.
section 4
We endorse and adopt The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:
a. Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves and require certain criteria to be followed, we will…
b. Request identification documents
c. Meet and chat with parent applicant(s)
d. Try where possible interview people before appointing them
e. Potentially ask for 2 references before appointing someone
f. Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines
a. Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves and require certain criteria to be followed, we will…
b. Request identification documents
c. Meet and chat with parent applicant(s)
d. Try where possible interview people before appointing them
e. Potentially ask for 2 references before appointing someone
f. Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines
section 5
All Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth members who are supervising, coaching or being in sole charge of children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit 1. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth, the club could seek advice from The FA. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.
section 6
Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth supports The FA’s Whistle blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Safeguarding Team on 0207 745 4787, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, W1D 4FA or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Services or the NSPCC. Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
section 7
Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth has Laury Howat as Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop. The post holder will be involved with Welfare Officer training provided by The FA and/or County FA. The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The Club Welfare Officer will liaise directly with the County FA (CFA) Welfare Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse amongst club members.
section 8
We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying/intimidation of any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying/intimidation does occur, all players or parents/carers should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Club Welfare Officer in cases of serious bullying the CFA Welfare Officer may be contacted.
section 9
Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.
a. If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Lead Phase Coach/Club Welfare Officer immediately.
b. If the issue is one of poor practice then the Club Welfare Officer will deal with the matter immediately and if more serious will report to the County Welfare Officer.
c. If the concern is potentially more serious – possible child abuse then please contact the CFA Welfare Officer first then contact immediately the Police or Children’s Services.
d. If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.
e. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer or the matter is clearly serious then you can either:
• contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly
• contact the Police or Children’s Services
• call The FA/NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or Deaf users text phone 0800 056 0566
NB – The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures are available via www.TheFA.com/Footballsafe – click on the ‘downloads’ under Policy and Procedures. The policy outlines in detail what to do if you are concerned about the welfare of a child and includes flow diagrams which describe this process. How to make a referral is also covered in the Safeguarding Children workshop. Participants are given the opportunity to discuss how this feels and how best they can prepare themselves to deal with such a situation. For more information on this workshop contact your County Welfare Officer.
a. If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Lead Phase Coach/Club Welfare Officer immediately.
b. If the issue is one of poor practice then the Club Welfare Officer will deal with the matter immediately and if more serious will report to the County Welfare Officer.
c. If the concern is potentially more serious – possible child abuse then please contact the CFA Welfare Officer first then contact immediately the Police or Children’s Services.
d. If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.
e. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer or the matter is clearly serious then you can either:
• contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly
• contact the Police or Children’s Services
• call The FA/NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or Deaf users text phone 0800 056 0566
NB – The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures are available via www.TheFA.com/Footballsafe – click on the ‘downloads’ under Policy and Procedures. The policy outlines in detail what to do if you are concerned about the welfare of a child and includes flow diagrams which describe this process. How to make a referral is also covered in the Safeguarding Children workshop. Participants are given the opportunity to discuss how this feels and how best they can prepare themselves to deal with such a situation. For more information on this workshop contact your County Welfare Officer.
More information regarding Safeguarding Children can be obtained from:
Laury Howat
Sandridge Rovers Junior Youth Club Welfare Officer
Samantha Carey
FA Safeguarding Children general enquiry line
