Southampton Saints G&L FC 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 safeguarding and and best practice policy and procedures and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.

The key principles of The FA Safeguarding Policy are that:

Child 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.
Southampton Saints G&L FC recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

Southampton Saints G&L FC 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 safeguarding 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 club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

Southampton Saints G&L FC endorse and adopt The FA Safeguarding and Best Practice Guidelines for Recruiting Volunteers and will:

Develop a role profile
Request identification documents
As a minimum meet, talk and where possible conduct interviews with the applicant(s) before appointing.
Request and follow up with two references before appointing
Require an FA DBS (formerly CRB) Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines

All current Southampton Saints G&L FC members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a DBS Enhanced Disclosure via The FA DBS Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached the club to become part of 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.

The FA Charter Standard Club Programme Safeguarding Policy obtained via The FA DBS Unit Enhanced DBS 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.

Southampton Saints G&L FC supports The FA Whistle Blowing policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can whistle blow by contacting The FA Safeguarding Manager on 0207 745 4771 or by:

Writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London. W1D 4FA , or
By going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC.

Southampton Saints G&L FC encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.

7.2 “Whistle-blowing”

Whistle-blowing can be used as an early warning system or when it’s recognised that appropriate actions have not been taken. It is about revealing and raising concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation or within an independent structure associated with it. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can also use whistle-blowing by contacting The FA’s safeguarding team on 0800 169 1863 Extension 6300 or 6400 or via email on safeguarding@TheFA.com. Alternatively you can go direct the Police or Children’s Social Care and report your concerns there, or contact the NSPCC Helpline via 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk

Southampton Saints G&L FC has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding and best practice workshop. The post holder will be involved with designated persons training provided by The FA.

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 the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst club members.

Southampton Saints G&L FC acknowledge and endorse The FA 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 of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.

Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Southampton Saints G&L FC. 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.

Further advice on safeguarding matters can be obtained from:

The County Football Association safeguarding Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook
The Football Association/NSPCC Safeguarding 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
www.TheFA.com/Goal
The FA Safeguarding on 0207 745 4649