Some of the policies in place at Caldecote Youth FC.
Anti Bullying Policy;Equality Policy;Safeguarding Children Policy and Health and Safety Policy.
Anti Bullying Policy
It is important that everyone connected to Caldecote Youth F.C. understands that bullying will not be tolerated.
When a manager/coach is confronted with or informed of a possible case of bullying all managers/coaches must be prepared to:
a. Take the problem seriously
b. Investigate the incident/report
c. Talk to the alleged bully and victims separately.
d. Inform the Children's Officer or a Committee member.
Decide on an appropriate action such as:
a. Obtain an apology from the bully to victim.
b. Inform parents of the bully (always inform parents of the victim).
c. Encourage/support the bully to change his/her behaviour.
d. If a bully persists with their behaviour sanctions will be imposed.
e. In cases of persistent bullying coaches/managers must inform the Children's Officer or Committee member, who will then decide an appropriate action in conjunction with the Club's Committee.
Equality Policy
The aim of this policy is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect and that Caldecote Youth Football Club is equally accessible to them all. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to participate in it.
Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability and to encourage equal opportunities.
This policy is fully supported by the Club Officers who are responsible for the implementation of this policy.
Caldecote Youth Football Club, 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, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability. This means that Caldecote Youth Football Club will ensure that 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.
The Club 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.
The Club will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.
The Club is committed to taking positive action where inequalities exist, and to the development of a programme of ongoing training and awareness - raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination and promote equality in football. The Club 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 –
Race Relations Act 1976,
Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and Disability
Discrimination Act 1995 as well as any amendments to these acts and any new legislation.
The Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims, when they are brought to its 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.
Safeguarding Children Policy
1. Caldecote Youth Football Club 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 child protection and best practice policy and procedures 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 or 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. Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
3. Caldecote Youth Football Club 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 child protection regulation (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This includes those who are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.
4. We 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 _ 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 Football Caldecote Youth Club 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 Caldecote Youth Football Club, 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 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. Football Club 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 Manager on 0207 745 4771, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London. W1D 4FA
or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC. The Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
6. Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the child protection and best practice workshop. The post holder will be involved with designated person’s training provided by The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person.
They will liaise directly with the 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 club members.
7. 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, parents or guardians should be able to tell the club and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Child Welfare Officer, a member of the committee or, in cases of serious bullying contact the County FA Child Protection Officer.
8. Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Caldecote Youth Football Club. In order to validate these codes of conduct The Club has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All prospective members 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 Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection
24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
www.TheFA.com/Goal
The FA child protection team on 0207 745 4649.
Health and Safety Policy
All players must inform Club registration Secretary of any allergies/illness/injuries/disabilities at the beginning of and any changes toany circumstances during the season. Details must be provided when completing the Clubs annual membership form.Necessary preventative medicines must be carried at all times for self administration unless an emergency.
All players must wear shin pads, and appropriate footwear and clothing for the playing and training conditions.No player will be allowed to train/play unless he/she is wearing them.
All managers must have a first aid kit with adequate and up to date supplies, readily available at all training sessions/matches and competitions.All managers must have completed first aid training.
All teams must have a level 1 qualified coach who is also trained in emergency first aid and is present at all times, both during matches, training and competitions.
All injuries to players resulting in medical treatment being required must be reported to the secretary and if he/she considers it necessary an accident report submitted.
Every care must be taken that, in the event of an accident, Club procedure is followed, namely;
·The injury must be assessed by a qualified first aider.
·In the event of further medical advice being sought, ie, hospital, a parent/carer must be contacted immediately.
·In the event that the team manager is unable to contact the parent/carer, the player remains his/her responsibility, or that of his/her representative, until such a time that a suitable person can be contacted and is present to assume that responsibility.
·All necessary care must be taken that at no time is an injured Club member left unattended by a Club official or a suitably responsible person.
A list of qualified first aiders within the Club is available for inspection and all certificates must be checked and approved by the Club before any addition to this list is made.
In accepting the responsibility to manage a team, the manager is deemed to abide by the Health and Safety policy.
