We would like to introduce the role and duties of the Club Welfare Officer at Rotherfield United FC (“RUFC”).

RUFC has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop.

The post holder will be involved with Welfare Officer training provided by The FA and/or County FA

The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person

The Club Welfare Officer will liaise directly with the County FA (CFA) Welfare Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse amongst RUFC club members.

If you are worried about a child, then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.

We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. 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 the Club Welfare Officer; in cases of serious bullying the CFA Welfare Officer may be contacted.

RUFC acknowledge that every child / 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. RUFC recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

RUFC 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’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (see The FA Handbook) 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, football coach, club official or medical staff.

RUFC supports The FA’s Whistle blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can also use whistle-blowing by calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA’s safeguarding team, or via email on safeguarding@TheFA.com; by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW10 9EQ or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC. RUFC encourages everyone to utilize it if necessary.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child, it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.

Rotherfield United FC (“RUFC”) 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

The key principles of The FA Safeguarding Children 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, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief
• 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

We 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. RUFC recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

RUFC 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’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (see The FA Handbook) 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, football coach, club official or medical staff.

We endorse and adopt The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:

• Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves
• Request identification documents
• As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible interview people before appointing them
• Require an FA CRB Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA policy.

RUFC members who are regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of 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 RUFC, 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 Enhanced Disclosure 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 and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

RUFC supports The FA’s Whistle blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Safeguarding Team on 0844 980 8200 4787, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW10 9EQ or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC. RUFC encourages everyone to utilize it if necessary.

RUFC has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop. The post holder will be involved with Welfare Officer training provided by The FA and/or County FA. The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The Club Welfare Officer will liaise directly with the County FA (CFA) Welfare Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse amongst RUFC club members.

We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. 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 the Club Welfare Officer in cases of serious bullying the CFA Welfare Officer may be contacted.

Respect codes of conduct for Players, Parents/ Spectators, Officials and Coaches have been implemented by RUFC. In order to validate these Respect codes of conduct the club has clear actions it will take regarding repeated or serious misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the County FA in more serious circumstances.

Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.

If you are worried about a child, then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.

If the issue is one of poor practice the Club Welfare Officer will either:

• deal with the matter themselves or
• seek advice from the CFA Welfare Officer

If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible, contact the CFA Welfare Officer first, then immediately contact the Police or Children’s Social Care.

If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.

If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer, or the matter is clearly serious then you can either:

• contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly
• contact the Police or Children’s Social Care
• call the NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

If you have any concerns about equality, the Rotherfield United FC (“RUFC”) Club Welfare Officer (CWO) can be contacted.

RUFC is committed to promoting equality, diversity and football for all and as such has issued an equality policy.

RUFC’s commitment is to challenge and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, or disability and to encourage equal opportunities.

RUFC is also committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, and taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect and that RUFC is equally accessible to them all.

RUFC, in all its activities, will not discriminate, or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, or disability

RUFC will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual, which for the purposes of this policy and the actions and sanction applicable is regarded as discrimination. This includes sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal. RUFC will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

RUFC is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members to abide and adhere to these policies and the requirements of the relevant equalities legislation under the Equality Act 2010.

RUFC commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims, when it is brought to their attention, of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice stop and sanctions imposed as appropriate.

If you have any concerns about bullying, the Rotherfield United FC Club Welfare Officer (CWO) can be contacted.

Statement of Intent

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure environment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in 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 bullying is happening is expected to tell the club welfare officer or any committee member.

What is Bullying?
• Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person.
• Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:
• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages and tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures).
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.
• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
• Homophobic because of / focusing on the issue of sexuality.
• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
• Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect.
• Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

This club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy
• All club members, coaches, officials, and parents should understand what bullying is.
• All club members, officials and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All players and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
• As a club, we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

Signs and Indicators
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• says he or she is being bullied
• is unwilling to go to club sessions
• becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence
• feels ill before training sessions
• comes home with clothes torn or training equipment damaged
• has possessions go “missing”
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• is frightened to say what’s wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above

In more extreme cases
• starts stammering
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• becomes aggressive, disruptive, or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away

These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures
• Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or a member of the clubs’ committee or contact the County FA Welfare Officer.
• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the County FA Welfare Officer for advice and possibly to The FA Case Management Team.
• Parents should be informed and will be asked to come into a meeting to discuss the problem.
• If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly.
• An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.
• If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.

Recommended club action

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation, they should follow the procedure outlined below:

• Reconciliation by getting the parties together.
• It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
• If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up from Chairman, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, committee members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
• The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent/s and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
• If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action, i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.
• In some cases, the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they can do so, and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
• All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.

In the Case of Adults Reported to be Bullying Anyone Within the Club Under 18:
• The County FA Welfare Officer should always be informed and will advise on action to be taken where appropriate.
• It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation is made regarding a team manager, official or coach, The FA’s Safeguarding Children Education Programme may be recommended.
• More serious cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children’s Services.

Prevention
• The club will have a written constitution, which includes what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is one part.
• All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
• The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meeting with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.

You may also wish to access any of the following websites designed to give advice and guidance to parents and children who are faced with dealing with bullying:

• anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
• nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk
• familylives.org.uk

If there is a concern with regard to the behaviour of an adult towards a young person, it is important that you share your concerns with the Club Welfare Officer, or the County Welfare Officer.

All information received and discussed will be treated in confidence and only shared with those individuals within The FA who will be able to manage and resolve the situation. On occasion it may be necessary to seek advice, or inform the statutory agencies e.g. Children’s Social Care or the Police. All concerns will be taken seriously and managed according to The FA Safeguarding Young People Policies and Procedures.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES A member of the Rotherfield United FC family is often the first to realise that a young person’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.

The FA 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 young person’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 The FA 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 FA, its employees, all persons registered as members of The FA and any persons who are the subject of any complaint, as well as the person making the complaint.

SAFEGUARDS The FA is committed to good practice and high standards and wants to be supportive of everyone within the Rotherfield United FC Family. The FA 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 young person concerned. The FA 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 poor practice will not influence or be influenced by any disciplinary procedures that already affect individuals unless there may be a pattern of poor practice/ abuse which requires the cases to be linked /dealt with together.

CONFIDENTIALITY The FA will do its best to protect the identity of the whistleblower 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 whistleblower may be required as part of the evidence. They will be given prior notice of this and a chance to discuss the consequences

The following policy is based on The Child Protection In Sport missing children procedure.

If a child goes missing at an event Rotherfield United Football Club will apply the following procedure:

1. Ensure that all other children are supervised appropriately while a search for the child is carried out.
2. Organise the remaining available adults to conduct a search of the remaining area, allocating each individual a specific area. Request all those searching report back in a short time dependent on the size of the area being searched.
3. If the child can not be found after a good search of the surrounding area, contact the child’s parent to advise them of the concern and reassure them that everything is being done to locate the child.
4. Make a note of the circumstances in which the child has gone missing and where they were last seen and prepare a detailed physical description of the child to include their hair and eye colour, approximate height and build and clothing they were wearing, as this will be required by the police. If photographs have been taken at the event, these could be useful to the police.
5. Report the concern to the police if the search has been unsuccessful and no later than 20 minutes after the initial missing person report if the search is ongoing.
6. Follow police guidance if further action is recommended and maintain close contact with the police.
7. Report the incident to the Rotherfield United Football Club, Club Welfare Officer- James DeJode 07950 669 842
8. Ensure that you inform all adults involved including the parents, searchers and police if at any stage the child is located
9. Following the incident, to be logged and discussed at the following committee meeting. Feedback to be given as required to all relevant parties.

In an emergency, where a young person is at immediate risk of harm, call 999

Click here to download the Relationship of trust statement.

Click here to download the Photographing & Filming Children guide.