Children love playing football, however well our national team, the team we support or the teams we play for is doing.
Creating a fun, safe and enjoyable football environment is central to safeguarding children, young persons and vulnerable adults.
Most children and young people have a wonderful experience through football – but sadly, some don’t.
The Football Association takes its’ role as guardian of the game extremely seriously at every level and is committed to using the power of football to build a better future. That is why The FA developed the Child Protection Policy and Helpline.
These initiatives were not launched as a response to some vast problem in the game. They are there to ensure that children continue to enjoy their football in a safe environment and provide guidance for all those involved in football.
Safeguarding Children is everyone’s responsibility and making it mandatory from the 2008/09 season for Welfare Officers to be appointed in every youth club and league with youth teams, is important to The FA’s three part approach to safeguarding. This includes:
Getting the right people involved – carrying out CRB checks
Creating a safe environment – codes of conduct, education and best practice
Promoting clear and understandable systems – dealing with concerns, policies and procedures
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
The aim of this policy is to develop a pro-active and positive position in order to protect all children, young persons and vulnerable adults who are involved in football. This enables them to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.
The policy covers all activities run by The FA. An example is The FA Charter Standard Award. This award recognises best practice in football clubs and leagues. To gain this recognition, best practice has to be demonstrated which includes following The FA’s child protection procedures.
You can download the policy by following the link in the related links section on the right.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN WORKSHOPS
There is an online Child Protection course – This is an introductory course to safeguarding. This online course is ideal for parents and carers.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN WORKSHOP COURSE (3 HOUR COURSE)
This workshop is a requirement for all FA qualified managers, coaches, welfare officers, referees and medics. It is not just for the mentioned persons, this workshop is available to anyone who wishes to attend.
For dates and venues of the Safeguarding Children Workshops,follow the link on the right or contact Gerry Daish on 01223 209037 or email Gerald.Daish@cambridgeshirefa.com
WELFARE OFFICER WORKSHOPS
The Welfare Officer Workshop is a requirement for all Club Welfare Officers
Prerequisites: Welfare Officers must complete the Safeguarding Children Workshop to gain a basic awareness of safeguarding before attending the Welfare Officer Workshop. They also must have completed a F.A. CRB Enhanced Disclosure.
This workshop has been designed to:
• Explore the role of the welfare officer
• Identify the support network of designated persons in football
• Recognise the best practice that is already in place to safeguard youth leagues and youth teams
• Provide clarity on reporting concerns about child abuse
• Support welfare officers to take ownership and develop confidence in dealing with poor practice issues
• Provide information on key child protection legislation and the statutory agencies
• Identify areas within the youth league or youth teams that need to be addressed to provide fun, safe, positive football environments.
The Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Procedures and information on Safeguarding Children Legislation, is provided at the training.
A certificate of attendance will be mailed to you after the workshop.
For dates and venues of the Welfare Officers Workshops, follow the link in the related links section on the right or contact Gerry Daish on 01223 209037 or email Gerald.Daish@cambridgeshirefa.com
If you have any concerns regarding child protection, or want to report a child protection issue, then contact the County Welfare Officer, Diane Bradshaw on 01223 209038 or email Diane.Bradshaw@cambridgeshirefa.com
In addition, and in partnership with the NSPCC, The Football Association opened The FA/NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000. This is a 24 hour telephone line for children and adults to seek advice or report child protection issues on a confidential and, if required, anonymous basis.
THE RESPECT PROGRAMME AND SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN.
Respect is The FA’s programme to combat unacceptable behaviour – both on and off the pitch. Aggressive adult behaviour is one of the main reasons why young players, coaches and referees drop out from football.
Find out what you can do to ensure ‘Respect’ is part of your club and league by contacting Cambridgeshire Football Associations Lead Respect Officer, Richard Nichols, 01223 209022 or email Richard.Nichols@cambridgeshirefa.com
Let’s keep children safe and support their development through football in a safe, enjoyable environment.