Safeguarding Children Policy and ProceduresClub Template
Using this Policy
This policy template is provided so that you can add
your club name to the relevant sections. It is importantthat this policy is discussed by the committee. The clubneeds to be sure it is clear about its responsibilities andthat it adheres to this policy in full. Having a proactive ClubWelfare Officer is an integral requirement of this policy.

Football Club Safeguarding Children Policy+XOO&LW\/DGLHV1. 				Football Club
acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard thewelfare of every child and young person who has been
entrusted to its care and is committed to working toprovide a safe environment for all members. A child or
young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged inany club football activity. We subscribe to The Football
Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children – Policy
and Procedures and endorse and adopt the Policy
Statement contained in that document.

2. The key principles of The FA Safeguarding Children
Policy are that:• the child’s welfare is, and must always be,
the paramount consideration• all children and young people have a right to beprotected from abuse regardless of their age, gender,disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief• 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.
We acknowledge that every child or young person
who plays or participates in football should be able totake part in an enjoyable and safe environment and beprotected from poor practice and abuse.
+XOO&LW\/DGLHV				
Football Club
recognises that this is the responsibility of every adultinvolved in our club.

+XOO&LW\/DGLHV3. 				Football Club hasa 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 FAHandbook) applies to everyone in football whether in apaid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you area volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, footballcoach, club official or medical staff.

4. We endorse and adopt The FA’s Responsible Recruitment
guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:• specify what the role is and what tasks it involves• request identification documents• as a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s)and where possible interview people before
appointing them
• ask for and follow up with 2 references before
appointing someone• where eligible require an FA accepted Enhanced
Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Barring List Checkin line with current FA policy and regulations.
+XOO&LW\/DGLHVAll current 				FootballClub members working in eligible roles, with children
and young people - such as managers and coaches arerequired to hold an in-date FA accepted Enhanced
CRC with Barring List check as part of responsible
recruitment practice1.

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of anindividual who is already involved or who has approached+XOO&LW\/DGLHVus to become part of 			Football Club guidance will be sought from The Football
Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA willconsider the relevance and significance of the informationobtained via the CRC Process and that all suitability
decisions will be made in accordance with legislation andin the best interests of children and young people.
It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people witha history of relevant and significant offending fromhaving contact with children or young people and theopportunity to influence policies or practice with children
or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or
physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of‘grooming’ within football.

TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding

Let’s make football safe – not sorrySafeguarding Children Policy and Procedures+XOO&LW\/DGLHV5. 				Football Club
supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or
young person with concerns about a adult in a positionof trust with football can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting
The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863, by writing
to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association,
Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ,
by emailing Safeguarding@TheFA.com or alternatively
by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or
the NSPCC.
+XOO&LW\/DGLHV				
Football Clubencourages everyone to know about The FA’s Whistle
Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.

+XOO&LW\/DGLHV6. 				Football Clubhas appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line withThe FA’s role profile and required completion of theSafeguarding 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 ofany 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 inincreasing awareness of Respect, poor practice andabuse amongst club members.

7. We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identificationof 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 telland 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.
8. Respect codes of conduct for Players, Parents/
Spectators, Officials and Coaches have been+XOO&LW\/DGLHV
implemented by 				Football Club. In order to validate these Respect
codes of conduct the club has clear actions it will takeregarding repeated or serious misconduct at club leveland acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions
which may be implemented by the County FA in more
serious circumstances.

The FA’s policy on Disclosure and Barring Service CRCs issubject to change. CRC information and guidance can be foundat www.TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding/criminal-records-checks
1

9. Reporting your concerns about the welfare of achild or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s
responsibility if you are worried about a child it isimportant that you report your concerns – no action
is not an option.
i. If you are worried about a child then you need toreport your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.
ii. If the issue is one of poor practice the Club Welfare
Officer will either:• deal with the matter themselves or• seek advice from the CFA Welfare Officeriii. If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse,
where possible, contact the CFA Welfare Officer first,
then immediately contact the Police or Children’sSocial Care.
iv. If the child needs immediate medical treatment takethem to a hospital or call an ambulance and tellthem this is a child protection concern. Let your Club
Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, theyin turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.
v. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club
Welfare Officer or the matter is clearly serious thenyou can either:• contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly• contact The FA Safeguarding Team on
0800 169 1863 or Safeguarding@TheFA.com• contact the Police or Children’s Social Care• call the NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on
0808 800 5000 or text 88858 or email
help@nspcc.org.uk
NB – The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy andProcedures are available via – www.TheFA.com/footballrules-governance/safeguarding – click on ‘Raising
Awareness – Best Practice Downloads’, the Policy andProcedures document is within the resources area. Thepolicy 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 isalso covered in the Safeguarding Children workshop.
Participants are given the opportunity to discuss how
this feels and how best they can prepare themselves todeal with such a situation. For more information on thisworkshop contact your County Welfare Officer.
10. Further advice on Safeguarding Children matters canbe obtained from:• Beth van Tilburg (Welfare Officer Hull City Ladies FC)
T: 07879779601
E: welfare@hullcityladies.com•County Football Association’s Welfare Officer
T: 
E: CountyWO@ VWHYHOD]HQE\#HDVWULGLQJIDFRP
• www.TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/		safeguarding• Emailing – Safeguarding@TheFA.com• The FA Safeguarding Children general enquiry line
0845 210 8080

TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding

Let’s make football safe – not sorry