Child Welfare / Child Protection Policy

Our child welfare officer is Millie Woodliffe - [email protected]

Our Child Protection Policy 

1. We acknowledge our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to our care. We are committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any football activity. We subscribe to The FA’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures 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 organizations, children and young people and their parents or careers 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. We recognize that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our Association. We have a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. We note and accept that The FA’s child protection regulation (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This includes those who are a volunteer, match official, helper on association tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

4.  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
  • Require an FA CRC Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines.

All current LGCSA members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRC Enhanced Disclosure via the FA CRC Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of our club then 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 CRC Unit Enhanced Disclosure and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.

FA Safeguarding Children Policy

The FA has completed its review of the Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures for Grassroots Football. You can access the updated policy via clicking this link:

http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/safeguarding/raising-awareness/grassroots-football-safeguarding-children-policy-and-procedures.ashx

If you have any questions about the above then please contact Millie, by e-mailing [email protected]