our child protection policy

...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 its members. We endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in the Football Association’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures. 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 or allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• Working in partnership with children, 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. Weekley Rovers Youth Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in the club.

Weekley Rovers Youth Football Club has an appointed Club Welfare Officer who has completed the requirement of the Child Protection and Best Practice workshop. The Child Welfare Officer 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. The CWO will liaise directly with the County FA’s Child Protection Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. The CWO will also be proactive within the club to increase awareness of any poor practice and abuse.

We endorse and adopt the FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice guidelines for Recruiting Volunteers and will:

• Request identification documents.
• Meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible conduct interviews before appointing.
• Request and follow up two references before appointing.
• Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines.

All Weekley Rovers Youth Football club members with direct access to children and young people are required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via the FA CRB Unit. If there are any concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved then guidance will be sought from the FA.

We acknowledge and endorse the FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying is any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, any player, parents or guardian should tell the clubs Child Welfare Officer and assured that all incidents will be dealt with promptly. If the CWO is not available, a member of the committee should be contact.

Weekley Rovers Youth Football 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 Manager on 0207 745 4771 or by writing to The FA Case Manager at :

The Football Association,
25 Soho Square,
London
W1D 4FA.


Alternatively the Child Welfare Officer at Northants FA, Sue Millar, can be contacted via their offices in Northampton on 01604 670741. Weekley Rovers Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it as necessary.

Codes of Conduct for players, parents/carers or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Weekley Rovers Youth Football club.

The Child Welfare Officer for Weekley Rovers FC can be contacted via the website committee page – which gives a contact number for the CWO and other relevant members.