DEFINITION
- PSD acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted 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 activity.
We subscribe to The Football Association’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document. - 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 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. PSD recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved within PSD. - PSD 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 child protection regulation (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone within PSD.
- We endorse and adopt The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines for Recruiting Employee’s, Volunteers and will:
• Develop a role profile
• Request identification documents
• As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible conduct interviews before appointing
• Request and follow up with two references before appointing
• Require an DBS Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines. All current PSD members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a Enhanced Disclosure. - PSD 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, 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. Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
- PSD has appointed a Safeguarding Officer who has completion of the child protection and best practice workshop and safeguarding course. The post holder will be involved with designated person’s training provided by The FA. The Safeguarding Officer is the first point of contact for all PSD 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 PSD members.
- We acknowledge and endorse 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, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Safeguarding Officer.
- Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by PSD.
- Further advice on child protection matters can be obtained from:
• (SO) Andy Dickie 07734 322353
• Hampshire Children’s services: 0300 555 1384 (24 hours)
• The County Football Association’s Child
• Protection Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook
• The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection
• 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
• www.TheFA.com/Goal