Club Safeguarding Children Policy

1. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved in the Shropshire Junior football league from harm.

2. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club confirms that it adheres to the FA’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorses and adopts the Policy Statement contained in that document.

3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any football activity. However, where a 17 year old male player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his safety and wellbeing are protected.

4. The Key Principles of the Safeguarding Children Policy are that:

• The welfare of the child is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations.
• All participants regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, shape, language or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse or harm.
• All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
• Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children and young people is essential for the welfare of children and young people.
• Children have a right to expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately recruited, vetted and managed in relation to their participation in rugby union, whether they are playing, volunteering or officiating in the community or professional areas of the sport.
5. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club recognises that all children have the right to participate in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

6. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club will implement and comply with the FA Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club will ensure its spectators, parents, members and officials are all aware of and have accepted the club Photographic Policy as set out in the club welcome pack and on the website.

7. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club will endeavour to comply with the Guidance for Websites as set out on the FA website.

8. The Club Safeguarding Officer is Sue Spellman (01743 365021). If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult has been put at risk you must in the first instance inform the Club Safeguarding Officer. . If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform Dai Lewis of the Shropshire FA (01743 362769).

9. All members of Meole Brace Juniors Football Club who have a regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with children must undertake a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and must also be registered with with The FA (FAN number)

10. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club will ensure that all its members, whether they are coaches, parents, players or officials will comply with the Best Practice Guidance as issued by the FA. In summary, the following are NOT acceptable and will be treated seriously by the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the club, the SFA or the FA:

• Working alone with a child, children, vulnerable adult, or adults.
• Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
• Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
• Smoking in the presence of children.
• Humiliating children or vulnerable adults.
• Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult.
• Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children or vulnerable adults.
• Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child or vulnerable adult developed as a result of being in a ‘position of trust.’
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

11. Meole Brace Juniors Football Club will ensure that its coaches [and team managers] will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role.

12. Any events held on Meole Brace Juniors Football Club must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected.

13. This must be adopted in accordance with the club constitution.