Club Child Protection Policy

 

1. .Albion Sports Juniors Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard

the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is

committed to working to provide a safe environment for all of its members. A child or

young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We

subscribe to The Football Association’s Child Protection and Best Practice Policy and

Procedures, Safeguarding Children and Young People in football (revised edition 2006)

and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.

 

2. The key principles of The FA Child Protection Policy are that:

 

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration

• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless

of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or

sexual orientation

• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to

swiftly and appropriately

• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and

their parents/carers is essential.

 

3. We acknowledge that every child or young person 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. Albion Sports Juniors Football Club recognises that

this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

 

4. Albion Sports Juniors Football Club has a 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 Regulations 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, coach, club official or medical staff.

 

We endorse and adopt The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines for

recruiting volunteers and will:

• Develop a role profile

• Request identification documents

• As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible conduct

interviews before appointing

• Request and follow up with two references before appointing

• Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with

FA guidelines.

 

All current Albion Sports Juniors Football Club members with direct access to

children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure

via The FA CRB Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an

individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part

of Albion Sports Juniors Football Club guidance will be sought from The Football

Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and

significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit and that all decisions will

be made in the best interests of children and young people.

 

It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and

significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the

opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to

prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children or young people and to minimise

the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

5.Albion Sports Juniors Club supports The FA’s Whistle-blowing Policy.

Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can whistle-blow by

contacting The FA Child Protection Team on 0207 745 4771 or by writing to The FA

Case Manager, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by

going direct to the Police, Social Services, or the NSPCC. Albion Sports Juniors

Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.

 

6. Albion Sports Juniors Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO)

in line with The FA’s role profile and completion of the Child Protection and Best

Practice Workshop. The post holder will be involved with designated persons training

provided by The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and

parents/carers regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They

liase directly with the CFA CPO and will be familiar with the procedures for referring

any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor

practice and abuse amongst club members.

7. We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of

abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying 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 CWO or member of the

committee or alternatively in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.

 

8. Codes of conduct for coaches, players, officials and parents/carers, officials and

coaches have been implemented by Albion Sports Juniors Football Club. In order

to validate these codes of conduct the club has clear sanctions to deal with any

misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which

may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All

prospective members will be informed of these codes.

 

9. Further advice on Child Protection matters can be obtained from:

• The West Riding County Football Association’s Child Protection

Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook

• The FA/NSPCC Child Protection 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000

• www.TheFA.com/Goal

• The FA Child Protection Team.