Safeguarding and Welfare
Lets make football safe, not sorry.
Gloucestershire FA is committed to its responsibilities to safeguarding the welfare of all young people involved in grassroots football
We fully support and appreciate our team of dedicated volunteer Club and League Welfare Officers working towards maintaining a safe and fun environment for young people who play, train, referee and coach.
We strongly believe in ‘listening to children and young people’ and that their views are really important.
Creating fun, safe football environments is central to safeguarding children.
Most children and young people have a fantastic experience through football – but sadly, some don't. This might be down to over-competitive parents and coaches shouting and constantly criticising them from the sidelines – the kind of behaviour that the Respect programme is designed to address. Or it might be due to some other kind of abusive behaviour towards them.
Safeguarding Children is everyone's responsibility and having Welfare Officers in all clubs and leagues with youth teams is crucial to The FA’s simple three part approach to safeguarding.
This includes:
- Getting the right people involved - seeking references and DBS checks.
- Creating a safe environment - codes of conduct, education and best practice.
- Promoting clear systems - to deal with any concerns - policy and procedures.
| GET IN TOUCH |
 |
|
Liz Barnett Designated Safeguarding Officer |
| FA / NSPCC 24 hour hotline: 0808 800 5000 The FA Safeguarding Team: Safeguarding.Children@thefa.com |
Welfare Officers
We now have a designated volunteer workforce of Welfare Officers who promote and oversee best practice in Safeguarding Children.
All Clubs with youth sections and youth leagues are required by The FA to have an appointed Club or Youth League Welfare Officer.
The Club or Youth League Welfare Officer is in place to improve practices at the Club and be the first point of contact for any concerns relating to children or vulnerable adults. If you are new to the role or thinking of taking up the position of Welfare Officer, please contact the GFA DSO using the details above and we will support you every step of the way!
If you have any concerns about a child or young persons welfare report it to your Club Welfare Officer or the Gloucestershire FA Designated Safeguarding Officer (details above). You can also contact The FA/ NSPCC's or The FA Safeguarding team, with the contact details in the box above.
Please remember that if a child or young person is in immediate danger, ALWAYS call 999.
Whistleblowing
Whistle-blowing can be used as an early warning system or when it’s recognised that appropriate actions have not been taken. This approach or policy is adopted in many different walks of life – including the world of football.
It is about revealing and raising concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation. For example, you may think that your club has not adequately dealt with a safeguarding concern and wish to elevate this.
Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague or club member can whistleblow by getting in touch with the GFA Designated Safeguarding Officer (details above), calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA's Safeguarding team, or via email on Safeguarding@TheFA.com
Alternatively you can go direct to the police or children’s social care and report your concerns there, or to the child protection in sport unit via cpsu@nspcc.org.uk or the NSPCC helpline via 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk
safeguarding organisations
best practice and guidance notes - the complete directory
Over the years The FA has been asked for advice and guidance to help clubs create fun, safe and inclusive environments.
This advice in the form of Guidance Notes is available to download in themed-sections on The FA website.
You’ll find top tips, templates and a great resource to browse through and see what you and/or your club might benefit from going forwards.
To view and download the complete Safeguarding Directory CLICK HERE.
England Football Safeguarding Courses
Have a look of all the available online England Football Safeguarding courses, including 'Safeguarding Awareness for Parents & Carers' and Safeguarding Children course.
