This policy is based on the FA Child Protection Policy

1.       Preston Gawcott Football Club (PGFC) 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 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 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 or carers is essential.

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.

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

3.       PGFC has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted 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 all club officials, managers, coaches, referees and parent helpers.

4.       We endorse and accept The FA’s child protection and best practice guidelines for recruiting volunteers and will:

·         Develop a role profile for all roles in the club

·         Request identification documents

·         As minimum meet and chat with the volunteers 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.

PGFC’s recruitment process is set out in the attached document ‘Recruitment and Appointment of Volunteers’.

All current PGFC 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 PGFC, guidance will be sought 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 CRB Disclosure 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 and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

5.       PGFC 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 manager on 0207745 4771, by writing to The FA case manager at The F A, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC.PGFC encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.

 6.       PGFC has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the child protection and best practice workshop. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They will liaise directly with the CFA CPO and will be familiar with 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, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO, a member of the committee or, in cases or serious bullying, contact the CFT CPO.

8.       Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by PGFC. 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 County Football Association’s Child Protection Officer, whose details can be found on the Bucks and Berks website.
• The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection 24 hour Helpline 0808 800 5000.
• www.The FA.com/Goal
• The FA child protection team 0207 745 4649

All of our coaches and managers have undertaken a Child Protection workshop as part of their Level 1 Coaching Certificate and in addition we have a designated Welfare Officer, who can be contacted using details as shown below.

Club Welfare Officer

Gaynor Heritage

01296 715989

07702 192148

gaynor.heritage@hotmail.co.uk

If you have any concerns at all, whether you are a player, parent, manager or friend, please do not hesitate to contact Gaynor. You will be listened to very carefully and will take immediate action to investigate any problems raised.