Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone involved in football
Safeguarding Children in Football
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 everyone involved in football. Football recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by seeking to protect them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying
Affiliated football is therefore committed to working to provide a safe environment for all children and young people to participate in the sport to the best of their abilities, whether involved in grassroots or professional football
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
Affiliated football is committed to working in partnership with the Police, Social Care 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
Categories
Physical Abuse: A child is physically hurt or injured by an adult or an adult gives alcohol or drugs to a child or young person
Neglect: A child’s basic physical needs are consistently not met or they are regularly left alone or unsupervised
Sexual Abuse: An adult or peer uses a child or young person to meet their own sexual needs
Emotional Abuse: Persistent criticism, denigrating or putting unrealistic expectations on a child or young person
Bullying: Persistent or repeated hostile and intimidating behaviour towards a child or young person Incidents of poor practice occur when the needs of children and young people are not afforded the necessary priority, so as their welfare is compromised
Hazing is any action or situation, with or without the consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or emotional wellbeing of a child or young person. Hazing is not tolerated in affiliated football.
Safeguarding Children Policy
Rainham Eagles F.C. acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to 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 club football activity
We subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children – Policy and Procedures and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document
Anti-Bullying Policy
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all club members or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a Telling club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the Club Welfare Officer or any committee member. This club is committed to playing its part to teach players to treat each other with respect
Equality Policy
Rainham Eagles F.C. is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to participate in it
Rainham Eagles F.C. in all its activities will not discriminate or in any way, treat anyone less favourably on grounds of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability. The club will ensure it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in and enjoy its activities
Reporting Safeguarding
Firstly, if you are worried about a child, it is vital you report your concerns – no action is not an option. There are five ways to report a concern:
To your club or league Designated Safeguarding Officer – please find out from your club who these people are
To your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer. A list of all County FA contact details is available at TheFA.com/my-football/more/county-fa
By emailing The FA Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@TheFA.com or by calling and asking for the team on 0800 169 1863.
If urgent and you cannot contact your club, league or County Safeguarding Officer, you should call the NSPCC 24 hour helpline on 0808 800 5000
If it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the Police or Children’s Social Care in your area
Photography
There has been much talk about who is allowed to take pictures of children (under 18s) playing sport and in particular what parents/carers are permitted to do. The FA would like to assure parents, carers, coaches, spectators, players and local media that we encourage the taking of appropriate images of children in football
It’s important to remember the majority of images taken are appropriate and taken in good faith. If we take the following simple measures we can help to ensure the safety of children in football
