CHILD WELFARE
The club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults who are in membership of the club. The club will aim to provide good quality football in a safe environment by adopting the procedures and working practices of the Football Association Welfare Policy. The current Child Welfare Officer is Samantha Jennings (Mobile, Email). If you have any concerns please contact your age group manager first, or if not appropriate please contact Sam on the link below. We also have our complaints procedure which must be followed before any further escalation to the County FA.
FA Safeguarding in Football
Please watch the FA video as an introduction to safeguarding and the links below on our website that cover all the points raised:
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Intro to club Child Welfare Officer (this page)
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Parent/Carer Consent (Registration)
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Contact details for coaches and managers (or ask at training)
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FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE FA ON CHILD WELFARE:
Points of contact (outside the club):
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NSPCC - 0800 056 0566 - www.nspcc.org.uk
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The FA Safeguarding Children Enquiry Line - 0845 210 8080 - footballsafe@TheFA.com
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Child Line - 0800 1111 - www.childline.org.uk
SAFEGUARDING RATIOS
Safeguarding best practice dictates that two adults must always be present when football-related activity takes place for children. But the numbers of adults present depends on three main factors:
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The age of the children involved;
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The degree of risk the activity, location and or venue present;
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Whether there are additional supervision or support needs of some or all the participants e.g. disability or age.
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Training:
The club policy is that a minimum of two DBS check adults must be present at training; 1 of the DBS checked adults must hold a FA level 1 coaching badge* (or higher) with Emergency First Aid. Note that supervising parent is mentioned below, this is only in lieu of a DBS checked adult that can replace the parent (and is preferred); as stated this is the minimum requirement. This is further refined for each age bracket:
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U13s and above
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For 1-16: coach and DBS adult.
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17-32: coach and DBS adult.
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33 to 48: coach and 2 DBS adults.
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U9s to U12s
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For 1-8: coach and DBS adult.
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9-16: coach and DBS adult.
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17 to 24: coach and DBS adult and 1 parent**.
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25 to 32: coach and 2xDBS adult and 1 parent**.
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33 to 40: coach and 2xDBS adult and 2 parents**.
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U5s to U8s
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For 1-6: coach and DBS adult.
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7-12: coach and DBS adult.
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13 to 18: coach and DBS adult and 1 parent**.
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19 to 24: coach and 2xDBS adult and 1 parent**.
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25 to 30: coach and 2xDBS adult and 2 parents**.
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31 to 36: coach and 3xDBS adult and 2 parents**.
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Note: additional credit can be taken where multiple age groups are sharing a pitch, but this must be agreed between the two or more groups.
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Matches:
The club policy is that a minimum of one FA level 1 coaching badge* (or higher) with Emergency First Aid and DBS checked must be present at the game. This further refined for each age bracket:
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U13s and above
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Maximum team size is 11 + 5 substitutes.
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One parent** must be present if only one coach.
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U11s to U12s
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Maximum team size is 9 + 5 substitutes.
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One parent** must be present if only one coach.
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U9s to U11s
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Maximum team size is 7 + 5 substitutes.
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One parent** must be present if only one coach.
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U5s to U8s
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Maximum team size is 5 + 5 substitutes.
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One parent** must be present if only one coach.
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Note: additional credit can be taken where multiple games are playing in close proximity, but this must be agreed between the teams prior to kick-off.
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* The FA accept a coach as being applicable for running games if they have conducted the Playmaker course and intend to do the Level 1 in that season
** Parent must be present as a supervisor to the coach but not interacting with the children. They must be off the training area or for a game, behind the respect barrier. They are there to make the coach aware of any issues that may arise such as injury, upset child, bullying, require toilet etc. Please make sure the parent understands this obligation.
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Guest Coaches
Guest coaches, such as goalkeeping do not require a FA DBS, if they do not do more than 3 days in any period of 30 days (from FA guidelines). The club rule is that they must be at least two DBS adults present during the session.
HANDOVER & TOILET PROCEDURE
Handover:
Please make sure that if you are dropping your child off at training or on matchday that you have had a clear verbal agreement from the coach or manager. This agreement indicates that they will ensure the safeguarding of your child and that they are happy you have brought the appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, sun cream (if required), medical aids such as asthma inhaler (if required) and refreshments.
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For pickup please make sure you are punctual and acknowledge the handover of your child. If you are picking up another too then please ensure the Coach is aware of this before the session. If you are going to be late then please ensure you have contacted the age group manager. We will never leave the child alone and it's our club policy that two adults will wait with the child (one DBS checked) at the end of training/match - whilst waiting we will try to contact you using the phone number provided at registration.
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As Children grow older it may be appropriate for them to walk home from training; we will only permit this if this has been sanctioned in the registration form and the child is Year 7 or above.
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Note it is forbidden for the children to use anything other than the provided toilets.
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Toilet:
During training or a match it may be that a child will need to go to toilet - obviously our preference is they go before arriving. Different facilities have different locations for the toilet for example Kingswood Lower Astroturf has one immediately next to the pitch whilst Beckford you have to walk back to the Park and Ride.
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For training, going to the toilet should only be if absolutely necessary and conducted during the natural breaks for refreshment. During this period it is acceptable for 1 of the DBS checked adults to accompany the child to the toilet but they must have another parent with them. For the children remaining on the pitch there must be 1 DBS checked adult with Emergency First Aid and one parent to supervise. For both parents they must not interact with the children and are there to just supervise - please make sure the parent understands this obligation.
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During matches there may only be 1 DBS coach and 1 parent supervisor. In this instance talking to the other team and the referee is advisable to find the best and safe way forward compliant to the rules.