Every child and young person who plays football should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football. We recognise, however, that child abuse is also very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgement about any action to be taken. 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 identity.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Working in partnership with children and young people/carers is essential. Social Services Departments have a statutory responsibility to ensure the welfare of children and young people.
This League recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual, or emotional harm and from neglect and bullying.
Boys and Girls can be sexually abused, Abuse can include: Full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, fondling. Showing children pornographic books or videos or taking pornographic photographs or videos.
In football situations, as with all sports, physical abuse may occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child’s body.
Neglect in a Football situation might occur if a coach fails to ensure children are safe or exposes them to extreme weather conditions or extremes of injury.
Emotional abuse in Football may include, situations where parents or coaches subject children to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform.
a) If necessary, only bone-fide “Friends” of the League / Club will be allowed to officiate.
b) Please obtain a copy of:- The F.A. Child Protection Policy
For safety reasons goalposts of any size (including those which are portable and not installed permanently at a pitch or practice field) MUST always be anchored securely to the ground. Regular inspections of goalposts MUST be carried out to check that they are SAFE and properly maintained.
People who use their cars for transport are to be advised that it is good practice to arrange the picking up and dropping off so that you are never alone with a child that is not your own.
Always have your child in your car with you. This is only to protect you. Never transport children in the back of a van without seat belts being fitted.
K. Inckle (2000)
1. Any person wishing to make a complaint / referral will contact the C.P.O. in the first instance.
2. The onus upon all personnel to report concerns / suspicions of abuse to the C.P.O. does not undermine their right to report such concerns to the statutory authorities or any other such authority that the complainant may deem appropriate.
3. The complaint / referral will be recorded and acted upon in accordance with the duties of the C.P.O. outlined above
1. The C.P.O. shall contact the subject of a complaint / referral within 7 days of receipt of the complaint / referral in writing.
2. The “subject” can respond directly to the C.P.O. in writing. The C.P.O. shall reserve the right to continue to engage in addressing the complaint / referral in person or to seek a legal or Club Executive response - whichever the C.P.O. deems appropriate
3. The “subject” has the right to:
a) Appeal and C.P.O. decision / response to the Club Executive within 14 days of that response.
b) Appeal any Club Executive decision within 14 days of that response and / or
c) Seek legal advice.
K. Inckle (2000)