Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Children Policy

‍

1. Acknowledgments

The Foundation acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and youngperson who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment forall members.

A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We subscribe to The FootballAssociation’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.

‍

2. Key Principles        

The key principles of The FA Safeguarding Children Policy are that:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramountconsideration;

• 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 theirparents or carers is essential.

We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football shouldbe able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.

We recognise that this is the responsibility of every adult involved within the Foundation.

‍

3. Welfare

The Foundation 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 Regulation (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This includes those who are volunteers, match officials, helper on tours, football coaches, club officials or medical staff.

‍

4. FA’s Safeguarding Children Guidelines

We endorse and adopt The FA’s Safeguarding Children Guidelines for Recruiting coaching staff and volunteers and where appropriate will:

• Develop a role profile;

• Request identification documents;

• Meet and chat with the applicant(s) and conduct interviews before appointing;

• Request and follow up with two references before appointing; &

• Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure in line with FA guidelines.

All current Foundation volunteers 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 be come part of the Foundation, guidance will be sought from the FA. It is noted and accepted that the Foundation will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit Enhanced CRB 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.

‍

5. FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy

The Foundation supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The Jersey FA safeguarding officer – Elizabeth Fenlon or by going direct to the Foundation and we encourage everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.

‍

6. The Safeguarding Lead and School Liaison Officer

The Foundation has appointed Dan Pateman as its Safeguarding Lead, with Alan Williams appointed as School Liaison Officer. The Safeguarding Lead and School Liaison Officer are the first points of contact for all individuals regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They will liaise directly with the Jersey FA Welfare Officer 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 volunteers.

Contact details are as follows:

Dan Pateman
‍Safeguarding Lead
d.pateman@vcp.sch.je
07797763841

Alan Williams
‍School Liaison Officer
alanw52@hotmail.com
07797 839466

‍

7. Bullying

We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable within the Foundation. If bullying does occur, all children, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Safeguarding Lead or the School Liaison Officer or the Jersey FA Welfare Officer.

‍

8. Code of Conduct

A code of conduct has been implemented for the Foundation and in order to validate the code of conduct the Foundation has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct.

‍

9. Further Advice

Safeguarding Children matters can be obtained from:

Elizabeth Fenlon
‍Jersey FA Designated Safeguarding Officer
‍elizabeth.fenlon@jerseyfa.com
07700 366645

‍

• The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection 24-Hour Helpline Tel: 0808 800 5000

• www.footballsafe@thefa.com

• The FA Child Protection Team Tel:0207 745 4895

• The Children and Families Hub https://www.gov.je/Caring/ChildrenAndFamiliesHub/Pages/ChildrenAndFamiliesHubHomepage.aspx Tel: 01534 519000

‍

—

‍

Code of Conduct

‍

1. Purpose

This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected from trustees, staff, volunteers, children, and families involved in the Foundation. It ensures that our activities remain safe, inclusive, and respectful for everyone.

2. Core Values

Respect: Treat everyone with dignity, kindness, and fairness.

Inclusivity: Welcome and support all children, regardless of gender, ability, background, or circumstances.

Safety: Prioritise the wellbeing of children by maintaining safe environments and practices.

Integrity: Act honestly, responsibly, and in the best interests of the Foundation and its mission.

3. Expectations for Behaviour

Trustees, Staff and Volunteers:

• Provide positive role models for children.

• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities at all times.

• Avoid discriminatory, offensive, or inappropriate language and behaviour.

‍

Respect confidentiality and handle information responsibly.

• Children and Families:

• Show respect to coaches, volunteers, and fellow participants.

• Play fairly, encourage teamwork, and celebrate effort as well as achievement.

• Avoid bullying, exclusion, or negative behaviour.

• Take care of equipment and facilities.

‍

4. Safeguarding and Safety

All adults must follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns immediately.

Activities must be supervised appropriately, with risk assessments carried out where necessary.

Health and safety guidelines must be followed to protect children and volunteers.

‍

5. Breaches of the Code

Breaches will be taken seriously and may result in appropriate action, including warnings, suspension, or removal from activities.

Serious safeguarding concerns will be reported to the relevant authorities.

‍

6. Review

This Code of Conduct will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and aligned with our mission.

‍

‍

—

‍

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (“EDI”) Policy

‍

1. Purpose

The Foundation exists to increase participation in football for children by offering vibrant, inclusive and accessible sporting activities. We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, ability, background or circumstances, has the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from football.

‍

2. Principles

Equality: We treat all children, families, volunteers and staff fairly and with respect.

Diversity: We celebrate the differences that make each child unique, including culture, language, ability, and identity.

Inclusion: We actively remove barriers to participation, ensuring our activities are welcoming and accessible to all.

‍

3. Our Commitments

Provide football opportunities that are safe, supportive and open to everyone.

Ensure facilities, coaching and equipment are accessible to children of all abilities.

Challenge discrimination, prejudice or exclusion in any form.

Promote positive role models and encourage participation across underrepresented groups.

Train staff and volunteers to understand and uphold EDI values in their work.

‍

4. Responsibilities

Trustees and Leadership: Ensure EDI principles are embedded in all decisions and practices.

Staff and Volunteers: Model inclusive behaviour, challenge unfair treatment, and support every child’s participation.

Children and Families: Respect and value each other, contributing to a welcoming environment.

‍

5. Monitoring and Review

We will regularly review this policy to ensure it reflects best practice and continues to meet the needs of the children and communities we serve.