Safeguarding Children
Appendix A – Safegurading Children Policy - 06/06/11
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club Safeguarding Children Policy
1. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club 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 have followed the Policy and Procedures contained in The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Policy Statement, to create the Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club Safeguarding Children Policy.
2. The key principles of the Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club 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 be protected 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 to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
3. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club has a 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 FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.
4. All current Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club members who are regularly caring for, supervising,
training or being in sole charge of children and young people will be required to complete a CRB 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 Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club 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 CRB Unit 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. Goldsworth Park Rangers 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 Safeguarding
Team on 0207 745 4787, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, W1D 4FA or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Services or the NSPCC.
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
6. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club
has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion
of the Safeguarding 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 of any 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 in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse amongst club members.
7. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club acknowledges and endorses 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 or parents/carers should be able to tell and 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. Please see separate Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club Anti Bullying Policy.
8. Respect codes of conduct for Players, Parents/Spectators, Officials and Coaches have been
implemented by Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club. In order to validate these Respect codes of conduct the club has clear actions it will take regarding repeated or serious misconduct at club level
and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the County FA in more serious circumstances.
9. Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.
1. If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.
2. 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 Officer.
3. If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible, contacts the CFA Welfare Officer first, then immediately contacts the Police or Children’s Services.
4. If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.
5. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer or the matter is clearly serious then you can either:
• contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly
• contact the Police or Children’s Services
• call The FA/NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or Deaf users
text phone 0800 056 0566
Appendix B Anti Bullying Policy
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club
Anti-Bullying Policy
What is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain
and distress to the victim.
Bullying can be:
• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages and tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures)
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, teasing
Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
• All club members, coaches, officials and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is
• All club members, officials and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
• All players and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
• As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported
• Bullying will not be tolerated
Signs and Indicators
A child may indicate by signs or behavior that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• says he or she is being bullied
• is unwilling to go to club sessions
• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• feels ill before training sessions
• comes home with clothes torn or training equipment damaged
• has possessions go “missing”
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• is frightened to say what’s wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above
In more extreme cases
• starts stammering
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
•
These signs and behaviors may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.
Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or a member of the clubs committee or contact the County FA Welfare Officer.
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the County FA Welfare Officer for advice and possibly to The FA Case Management Team.
3. Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
5. The bullying behavior or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behavior.
7. If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.
Recommended club action
If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation they should follow the procedure
outlined below:
1. Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
2. If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up from Chairman, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, committee members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
3. The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent/s and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
4. If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.
5. In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
6. All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.
In the Case of Adults Reported to be Bullying Anyone Within the Club Under 18:
1. The County FA Welfare Officer should always be informed and will advise on action to be taken where
2. It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation is made regarding a team manager, official or coach, The FA’s Safeguarding Children Education Programme may be recommended.
3. More serious cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children’s Services.
Prevention
1. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club have a written constitution, which includes what is acceptable and proper behavior for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is one part.
2. All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
3. The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meeting with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.
This policy is based on guidance provided to schools by KIDSCAPE. KIDSCAPE is a voluntary organisation committed to help prevent child bullying. KIDSCAPE can be contacted on 0207 730 3300 or you can access their website via www.kidscape.org.uk. You may also wish to access any of the following websites designed to give advice and guidance to parents and children who are faced with dealing with bullying:
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
www.stoptextbully.com
www.bullying.co.uk
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club Safeguarding Children Policy
1. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club 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 have followed the Policy and Procedures contained in The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Policy Statement, to create the Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club Safeguarding Children Policy.
2. The key principles of the Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club 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 be protected 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 to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
3. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club has a 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 FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.
4. All current Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club members who are regularly caring for, supervising,
training or being in sole charge of children and young people will be required to complete a CRB 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 Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club 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 CRB Unit 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. Goldsworth Park Rangers 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 Safeguarding
Team on 0207 745 4787, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, W1D 4FA or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Services or the NSPCC.
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
6. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club
has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion
of the Safeguarding 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 of any 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 in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse amongst club members.
7. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club acknowledges and endorses 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 or parents/carers should be able to tell and 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. Please see separate Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club Anti Bullying Policy.
8. Respect codes of conduct for Players, Parents/Spectators, Officials and Coaches have been
implemented by Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club. In order to validate these Respect codes of conduct the club has clear actions it will take regarding repeated or serious misconduct at club level
and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the County FA in more serious circumstances.
9. Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.
1. If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.
2. 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 Officer.
3. If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible, contacts the CFA Welfare Officer first, then immediately contacts the Police or Children’s Services.
4. If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.
5. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer or the matter is clearly serious then you can either:
• contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly
• contact the Police or Children’s Services
• call The FA/NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or Deaf users
text phone 0800 056 0566
Appendix B Anti Bullying Policy
Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club
Anti-Bullying Policy
What is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain
and distress to the victim.
Bullying can be:
• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages and tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures)
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, teasing
Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
• All club members, coaches, officials and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is
• All club members, officials and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
• All players and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
• As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported
• Bullying will not be tolerated
Signs and Indicators
A child may indicate by signs or behavior that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• says he or she is being bullied
• is unwilling to go to club sessions
• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• feels ill before training sessions
• comes home with clothes torn or training equipment damaged
• has possessions go “missing”
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• is frightened to say what’s wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above
In more extreme cases
• starts stammering
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
•
These signs and behaviors may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.
Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or a member of the clubs committee or contact the County FA Welfare Officer.
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the County FA Welfare Officer for advice and possibly to The FA Case Management Team.
3. Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
5. The bullying behavior or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behavior.
7. If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.
Recommended club action
If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation they should follow the procedure
outlined below:
1. Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
2. If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up from Chairman, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, committee members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
3. The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent/s and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
4. If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.
5. In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
6. All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.
In the Case of Adults Reported to be Bullying Anyone Within the Club Under 18:
1. The County FA Welfare Officer should always be informed and will advise on action to be taken where
2. It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation is made regarding a team manager, official or coach, The FA’s Safeguarding Children Education Programme may be recommended.
3. More serious cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children’s Services.
Prevention
1. Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club have a written constitution, which includes what is acceptable and proper behavior for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is one part.
2. All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
3. The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meeting with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.
This policy is based on guidance provided to schools by KIDSCAPE. KIDSCAPE is a voluntary organisation committed to help prevent child bullying. KIDSCAPE can be contacted on 0207 730 3300 or you can access their website via www.kidscape.org.uk. You may also wish to access any of the following websites designed to give advice and guidance to parents and children who are faced with dealing with bullying:
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
www.stoptextbully.com
www.bullying.co.uk
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