Safeguarding children is about doing things the right way and doing things properly. The Safeguarding agenda is about allowing children to enjoy the game without abuse of any kind. That means bullying, physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect.
Football can have a powerful and positive influence on children. But that means everyone involved in football must take on the responsibility of looking after those children that want to play the game.
Safeguarding Statement
Every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.
The FA 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 or bullying. The FA is therefore committed to working in order to provide a safe environment for all children and young people to participate in the sport to the best of their abilities for as long as they choose to do so.
Key principles
• 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 and carers is essential. The FA is committed to working in partnership with the Police, Social Services Departments and Local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCB) in accordance with their procedures. This is essential to enable these organisations to carry out their statutory duties to investigate concerns and protect all children and young people.
Grassroots football would not exist without the many thousands of volunteers involved today. Ensuring that we encourage those individuals that are suitable for the many roles football has to offer, is essential. Remember that a friendly, well run club is more likely to be successful in encouraging additional volunteers. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that anyone may have the potential to abuse children and young people.
Therefore all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children and young people. Sound recruitment and selection procedures will help to screen out those who are not suitable to work in football.
Manchester Football Association is working with the FA as part of its National Game Strategy for 2008-12 and acting on legislation outlined in the Children’s Act (2004) and Every Child Matters.
Requirements
Youth League Welfare Officers (Y.L.W.O) and Club Welfare Officers (C.W.O) must have;
• Been made mandatory from the season 2008 - 2009 for all Clubs and Leagues with youth teams.
• An ‘accepted’ or as a minimum an ‘in progress’ enhanced CRB check via The FA CRB Unit from the season 2008 - 2009.
• Completed The FA Safeguarding Children workshop (formerly known as Child Protection and Best Practice workshop) by the start of season 2009 -2010.
• Completed The FAs Welfare Officer Workshop (WOW) by the start of season 2010 - 2011.
Manchester FA will then look to offer support and guidance by delivering Safeguarding Children, WOW Workshops and Advisory Groups.
Why is Football important to children?
Football and Sport in general helps children and young people to grow healthily and develop personally, socially, emotionally and physically. It can provide them with opportunities to have an enormous amount of fun and increase their circle of friends. Also, by being supported in setting and achieving their own goals in sport, young people can overcome the impact of challenges and barriers in other areas of their lives. Through football children can develop valuable qualities including leadership, independence, cooperation, confidence and self-esteem.
Useful Numbers
FA/NSPCC 0808 800 5000
FA/NSPCC (for hearing impaired) 0800 056 0566
Reporting Discrimination 0800 058 0508