Whistle-Blowing Policy

PURPOSE
To encourage individuals to feel confident in raising concerns about the safety and
welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in football.

To provide a method of raising concerns and to receive feedback on any action taken.
To ensure that individuals receive a response to their concerns and that they are aware
of how to pursue them if they are not satisfied.

To reassure individuals that they will be protected from reprisals or victimisation for
whistle blowing in good faith.

SCOPE
ALL those involved in activity carried out under the jurisdiction of Adwick Park Rangers JFC are covered by this policy.
KEY PRINCIPLES
The following important principles are contained within this policy:
• The code is complementary to Adwick Park Rangers JFC’s Child Protection Policy &
Procedures and its Code of Conduct;

• The Club Welfare Officer has overall responsibility for the maintenance and
operation of this policy;

• If a matter raised results in any disciplinary action, the Adwick Park Rangers JFC’s
disciplinary procedures will apply.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Players, coaches, officials, parents or team followers are often the first to realise that a
child’s safety and welfare are under threat. However, they may not express their
concerns because they feel that speaking up would be too difficult to handle. It may
also, be that they fear harassment or victimisation.

In these circumstances it may be easier for them to ignore the concern rather than
report what may just be a suspicion of poor practice. Adwick Park Rangers JFC is committed
to the highest possible standards of openness, honesty and accountability. In line with
that commitment, individuals are encouraged, if they have serious concerns about any
aspect of a child’s safety and welfare, to come forward and voice those concerns.

This policy makes it clear that individuals can raise a matter of concern without fear
of victimisation, subsequent discrimination or disadvantage. The policy is intended to
encourage and enable individuals to raise serious concerns within Adwick Park Rangers JFC
rather than overlooking a problem or blowing the whistle outside.
It is in the interest of all concerned that disclosure of potential abuse or irregularities
are dealt with properly, quickly and discreetly. This includes the interests of the
Adwick Park Rangers JFC, all persons registered as members of the Adwick Park Rangers JFC and
any persons who are the subject of any complaint, as well as the person making the
complaint.

SAFEGUARDS
Adwick Park Rangers JFC FC is committed to good practice and high standards and wants to
be supportive of everyone within the club.

Adwick Park Rangers JFC FC recognises that the decision to report a concern can be a
difficult one to make, not least because of the fear of reprisal from those responsible
for the alleged poor practice. If an individual believes what they are saying to be true,
they should have nothing to fear because in reporting their concern they will be doing
their duty to the child, young person or vulnerable adult concerned.

Adwick Park Rangers JFC FC will not tolerate any harassment or victimisation (including
informal pressures) and will take appropriate action to protect individuals when they
raise a concern in good faith.

Any investigation into allegations of alleged poor practice will not influence or be
influenced by any disciplinary procedures that already affect individuals.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Adwick Park Rangers JFC FC will do its best to protect the identity of the whistle blower
when they raise a concern, and do not want their name to be disclosed. It must be
appreciated that the investigation process may reveal the source of the information
and a statement by the whistle blower may be required as part of the evidence. They
will be given prior notice of this and a chance to discuss the consequences. Support is
available from the club’s Child Welfare Officer.

ANONYMOUS ALLEGATIONS
This policy encourages the whistle blower to put their name to their allegation.
Concerns expressed anonymously are much less powerful, but they will be considered
(at the discretion of the club’s CWO).
In exercising the discretion, the factors to be taken into account would include:
• the seriousness of the issues raised;
• the credibility of the concern; and
• the likelihood of confirming the allegation from attributable sources or factual records.

UNTRUE ALLEGATIONS
If an individual makes an allegation in good faith, but it is not confirmed by the
investigation, no action will be taken against them. If, however, it is established that
they have made malicious or frivolous allegations, or for personal gain, disciplinary
action may be taken against them. In such cases, Adwick Park Rangers JFC disciplinary
procedure will apply.
THE ‘WHISTLE BLOWING’ POLICY
The whistle blowing policy should only be followed if the person raising the concern
feels unable to follow the standard reporting procedures as set out in the club’s Child
Protection Policy .

HOW TO RAISE A CONCERN
Concerns may be made verbally or in writing to the club’s child welfare officer. The
individual should set out the background and history of the concern, giving names,
dates and places where possible and the reason why they are particularly concerned
about the situation. The earlier the individual expresses concern, the easier it is for
someone to act. Although the whistle blower is not expected to prove the truth
of an allegation, they will need to demonstrate to the club’s CWO that there are
sufficient grounds for their concern.

Individuals should raise the concern in the first instance with the club’s Child Welfare
Officer (CWO) Hayley Thomson (Tel: 07766 152065 Email: xxxprimxxx@aol.com)
or by post to Hayley Thomson,APRJFC, 46 Princess Street, Woodlands, Doncaster DN6 7LU
(you should mark the envelope ‘private & confidential’).
If you believe that you have not received a satisfactory response to your concern, you
should approach the parties below ideally from the top down: -
• Club Chairman: Chris Crowe 07597 722665 or by post to:
Chris Crowe, APRJFC, 37 Howden Avenue, Skellow, Doncaster, DN6 8LH
(you should mark the envelope ‘private & confidential’) or email at aprjfc@btinternet.com
• Sheffield & Hallamshire FA County Football Association’s Child Protection Officer Lisa Graves by writing to Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, Clegg House,204 Meadowhall Road, Sheffield, S9 1BN
by email lisa.glaves@sheffieldfa.com or telephone 0114 2615 500
• The FA Child Protection Team on 0207 745 4771 or by writing to the FA
Case Manager, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA
• The FA/NSPCC Child Protection 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
• Or by going direct to the Police and/or Social Services