WELFARE
WITNEY & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
1. The adults involved in the Witney & District Youth Football League (WDYFL) acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to their care and WDYFL are committed to working to provide a safe environment for all their members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club or League football activity. WDYFL subscribe to The Football Association’s Child Protection and Best Practice Policy and Procedures, Safeguarding Children and Young People in football (revised edition 2006) and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.
2. 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/carers is essential.
3. WDYFL 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. WDYFL recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our League.
4. WDYFL 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 Regulations (“Child Protection”) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, coach, club official, league official or medical staff. WDYFL endorse and adopt The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines for recruiting 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 any representative team staff.
• Request and follow up with two references before appointing.
• Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines.
All current WDYFL members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of WDYFL, guidance will be sought from The Football Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.
It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children or young people and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.
5. WDYFL 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 Team on 0207 745 4771 or by writing to The FA Case Manager, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the Police, Social Services, or the NSPCC.
WDYFL encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
6. WDYFL has appointed a League Welfare Officer (LWO) and most clubs in the League have a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile and completion of the Child Protection and Best Practice Workshop. These post holders will be involved with designated persons training provided by The FA. The LWO/CWO is a point of contact for all League members and parents/carers regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person in their club. The LWO/CWO liaise directly with the County Football Association Child Protection Officer (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 the League’s members and young people in football.
7. WDYFL acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in our League. If bullying does occur, all players or parents/carers should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to their Club Welfare Officer (CWO) as the first point of contact. Or to the LWO or alternatively in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.
8. Codes of conduct for coaches, players, officials and parents/carers, officials, coaches and League Officials have been implemented by League. In order to validate these codes of conduct the League has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at League level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the League or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All prospective League member clubs and teams will be informed of these codes.
9. Further advice on Child Protection matters can be obtained from:
• The County Football Association’s Child Protection Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook
• The FA/NSPCC Child Protection 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
• www.TheFA.com
• The FA Child Protection Team.
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION REGULATIONS – CHILD PROTECTION
1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
2. (a) In these Regulations the expression "Offence" shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in the Schedules of the Criminal Justice and Court services Act 2000 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
(b) All persons in such positions that The Association deems relevant whose normal duties include caring for, training supervising or being in sole charge of children are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure via The Association’s CRB process.
3. Upon receipt by The Association of:
3.1 Notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
3.2 Notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Social Services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or
3.3 Any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The Association shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or an specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The Association shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-
4.1 Whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
4.2 Whether the matters are of a serious nature;
4.3 Whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of an investigation by The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded having regard to the need for any action to be proportionate.
5. The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of The Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.
6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
7. Where a person is convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of The Association and The Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific football activity for such period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
8. For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any committee or sub-committee thereof, including the Board.
9. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any club with which he/she is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.
10. The applicable standard of proof shall be the civil standard, of the balance of probability. The more serious the allegation taking into account the nature of the misconduct alleged and the context of the case the greater the burden of evidence required to find the matter proved. Save that for changes pursuant to The Football Association’s Child Protection Policy, where the welfare an protection of children shall be paramount and the test shall be whether more likely than not.
For further details of The FA’s Regulations, see the FA’s Handbook for the current football season.
GENERAL NOTES
Help line
The officers are here to help, their aim is to run an efficient friendly set of fixtures. If you have queries, then can you first check your rule book and only call if you are in doubt. Can you please make your calls after 09:30am and before 9.00pm (this is the times as stated in the rules). if you are really up tight about something, please do not take it out on the officers. Remember that, like you, the officers do all their work voluntarily, and may have a dozen calls a night. A discussion is always more productive in a civil tone.
Only complaints made in writing will be investigated, we will not investigate moans, groans and rumours made verbally at matches and in telephone calls.
Correspondence
Please send all formal correspondence must go via the League Secretary.
Child Protection
If you are concerned about matters relating to child protection and player’s well being, please either ring the FA/NSPCC Help line on 0808 800 5000 or ring the League’s Welfare Officer (Bob Sherlock) on 01865 371819. The League’s Welfare Officer can also be contacted by e-mail at lwo@wdyfl.org. All matters will be treated in strictest confidence.
First Aid Kit
Every team MUST have their own First Aid Kit. Medical supplies are now date stamped. All medical items must be current and unused. Spray bottles must be used and not buckets and sponges. Spray bottles and First Aid kits are to be visible on the touch line.
Attached to each team must be somebody suitably trained to at least FA Emergency Aid standard to use it. The League can arrange FA. Emergency Aid courses for all clubs. The course lasts for 2-3 hours in one evening. These courses are put on whenever we have sufficient numbers. Contact your county FA for more details (OFA is 01993 894403). Remember you may be liable if you are treating players whilst not qualified.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
It is a requirement of affiliation to the FA that all managers and club officials must be FA CRB checked. It is good practice to get everyone who is in regular contact with children in your club FA CRB checked.
As part of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, new legal requirements for anyone working in a role with children and vulnerable adults comes into effect from September 2008. So from September 2008, under this legislation youth football will be a "regulated activity." A Regulated activity is defined as paid and unpaid work that involves certain close contact with children (e.g. caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children, or where people are in a position to influence policy relating to children's football.) This includes referees, coaches, managers, welfare officers and medics. it will be a criminal offence for anyone to be in a paid or unpaid role, working with children or vulnerable adults as described above, if they have not completed an enhanced CRB disclosure and been accepted into football. This means that such a person is not to engage in regulated activity unless they are "subject to monitoring" e.g. have completed an FA CRB disclosure and been accepted into football.
WITNEY & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
1. The adults involved in the Witney & District Youth Football League (WDYFL) acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to their care and WDYFL are committed to working to provide a safe environment for all their members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club or League football activity. WDYFL subscribe to The Football Association’s Child Protection and Best Practice Policy and Procedures, Safeguarding Children and Young People in football (revised edition 2006) and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.
2. 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/carers is essential.
3. WDYFL 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. WDYFL recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our League.
4. WDYFL 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 Regulations (“Child Protection”) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, coach, club official, league official or medical staff. WDYFL endorse and adopt The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines for recruiting 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 any representative team staff.
• Request and follow up with two references before appointing.
• Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines.
All current WDYFL members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of WDYFL, guidance will be sought from The Football Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.
It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children or young people and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.
5. WDYFL 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 Team on 0207 745 4771 or by writing to The FA Case Manager, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the Police, Social Services, or the NSPCC.
WDYFL encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
6. WDYFL has appointed a League Welfare Officer (LWO) and most clubs in the League have a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile and completion of the Child Protection and Best Practice Workshop. These post holders will be involved with designated persons training provided by The FA. The LWO/CWO is a point of contact for all League members and parents/carers regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person in their club. The LWO/CWO liaise directly with the County Football Association Child Protection Officer (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 the League’s members and young people in football.
7. WDYFL acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in our League. If bullying does occur, all players or parents/carers should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to their Club Welfare Officer (CWO) as the first point of contact. Or to the LWO or alternatively in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.
8. Codes of conduct for coaches, players, officials and parents/carers, officials, coaches and League Officials have been implemented by League. In order to validate these codes of conduct the League has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at League level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the League or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All prospective League member clubs and teams will be informed of these codes.
9. Further advice on Child Protection matters can be obtained from:
• The County Football Association’s Child Protection Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook
• The FA/NSPCC Child Protection 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
• www.TheFA.com
• The FA Child Protection Team.
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION REGULATIONS – CHILD PROTECTION
1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
2. (a) In these Regulations the expression "Offence" shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in the Schedules of the Criminal Justice and Court services Act 2000 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
(b) All persons in such positions that The Association deems relevant whose normal duties include caring for, training supervising or being in sole charge of children are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure via The Association’s CRB process.
3. Upon receipt by The Association of:
3.1 Notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
3.2 Notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Social Services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or
3.3 Any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The Association shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or an specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The Association shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-
4.1 Whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
4.2 Whether the matters are of a serious nature;
4.3 Whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of an investigation by The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded having regard to the need for any action to be proportionate.
5. The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of The Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.
6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
7. Where a person is convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of The Association and The Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific football activity for such period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
8. For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any committee or sub-committee thereof, including the Board.
9. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any club with which he/she is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.
10. The applicable standard of proof shall be the civil standard, of the balance of probability. The more serious the allegation taking into account the nature of the misconduct alleged and the context of the case the greater the burden of evidence required to find the matter proved. Save that for changes pursuant to The Football Association’s Child Protection Policy, where the welfare an protection of children shall be paramount and the test shall be whether more likely than not.
For further details of The FA’s Regulations, see the FA’s Handbook for the current football season.
GENERAL NOTES
Help line
The officers are here to help, their aim is to run an efficient friendly set of fixtures. If you have queries, then can you first check your rule book and only call if you are in doubt. Can you please make your calls after 09:30am and before 9.00pm (this is the times as stated in the rules). if you are really up tight about something, please do not take it out on the officers. Remember that, like you, the officers do all their work voluntarily, and may have a dozen calls a night. A discussion is always more productive in a civil tone.
Only complaints made in writing will be investigated, we will not investigate moans, groans and rumours made verbally at matches and in telephone calls.
Correspondence
Please send all formal correspondence must go via the League Secretary.
Child Protection
If you are concerned about matters relating to child protection and player’s well being, please either ring the FA/NSPCC Help line on 0808 800 5000 or ring the League’s Welfare Officer (Bob Sherlock) on 01865 371819. The League’s Welfare Officer can also be contacted by e-mail at lwo@wdyfl.org. All matters will be treated in strictest confidence.
First Aid Kit
Every team MUST have their own First Aid Kit. Medical supplies are now date stamped. All medical items must be current and unused. Spray bottles must be used and not buckets and sponges. Spray bottles and First Aid kits are to be visible on the touch line.
Attached to each team must be somebody suitably trained to at least FA Emergency Aid standard to use it. The League can arrange FA. Emergency Aid courses for all clubs. The course lasts for 2-3 hours in one evening. These courses are put on whenever we have sufficient numbers. Contact your county FA for more details (OFA is 01993 894403). Remember you may be liable if you are treating players whilst not qualified.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
It is a requirement of affiliation to the FA that all managers and club officials must be FA CRB checked. It is good practice to get everyone who is in regular contact with children in your club FA CRB checked.
As part of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, new legal requirements for anyone working in a role with children and vulnerable adults comes into effect from September 2008. So from September 2008, under this legislation youth football will be a "regulated activity." A Regulated activity is defined as paid and unpaid work that involves certain close contact with children (e.g. caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children, or where people are in a position to influence policy relating to children's football.) This includes referees, coaches, managers, welfare officers and medics. it will be a criminal offence for anyone to be in a paid or unpaid role, working with children or vulnerable adults as described above, if they have not completed an enhanced CRB disclosure and been accepted into football. This means that such a person is not to engage in regulated activity unless they are "subject to monitoring" e.g. have completed an FA CRB disclosure and been accepted into football.
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