Safeguarding & good practice
Wye Juniors FC want all children, parents, coaches and officials to enjoy their football in a positive, respectful and safe context. All adults in football have a duty to ensure that children can play in a safe and positive way. To ensure this Wye Juniors FC has the following measures in place.
All players, coaches, parents and officials are expected to follow the FA RESPECT Codes of Conduct. Anyone not following the code of conduct can be suspended or removed from the club. Wye Juniors FC want all children to enjoy their football in a positive, respectful and safe context.
Winning always comes second to these criteria.
Wye Juniors FC has a a welfare officer to advise and guide the club. Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means protecting children from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to children’s health or development and taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes. This is different from, but related to, Good Practice. The FA have a host of dedicated safeguarding resources here on their website including guidance on social media use.
If there is a concern that a child is at risk of immediate harm, contact should be made with either the Police or Local Authority Children’s Services or the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000.
If there is concern about a child or an adult’s behaviour towards a child, or a child that is not at immediate risk of harm you should raise the concern immediately with the team manager and Club Welfare Officer.
- All coaches and assistants including parent helps must have Criminal Record Checks before volunteering at the club.
- All coaches and assistant coaches must also have a safeguarding qualification.
- All coaches must be FA Level 1 qualified
Wye Juniors FC has policy of equal play and training opportunity for all players up to and including the U11s. This means all children should have equal opportunity to play football irrespective of the impact on winning or losing a game
Good Practice is the collection of policies and procedures that help protect children from harm. If everyone follows good practice then risk of harm to children is minimised. The FA have a collection of Good Practice resources here.
Good Practice measures include adults not being alone with children, following RESPECT codes of conduct and ensuring players and parents do too, not having social media or text contact with children, taking care to avoid injuries, given all children equal play opportunities, ensuring safe equipment, taking additional needs into account, etc.
Following Good Practice benefits everyone in football and protects children from harm.
FA Safeguarding Awareness for Parents & Carers
Course overview
Minimum age: 16
Course Duration: 25-30 minutes
Price: Free
What will I learn on this course? This course will give you the tools and information to recognise what should be in place to support your child to have a positive football experience in their club or football setting, as well as how to identify and report any concerns about poor practice or abuse.
