The following policy is written in line with the Football Association Child Protection Policy and the Cheshire County FA guidelines for volunteer managers/coaches who come into contact with young children.
Appointment of all staff and volunteers at New Ferry Rangers FC will be subject to the completion of a FA approved application procedure including the completion of a disclosure form, CRB check, positive feedback from references and a successful interview with the club committee.
All staff are trained to FA Level 1 standard and as part of this a Child Protection FA course is completed. This is renewed every three years as indicated in Aim 7 of our Development Plan.
Child abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject and it is of paramount importance the Coaches, Team Managers and volunteer helpers, should not place themselves at risk from accusation or suspicion, either from parents or from children themselves.
As a Coach/Manager you can reduce situations where accusations or suspicion of abuse may arise by following the good practice outlined below and by organising other volunteers; for whom you may be responsible in an appropriate way.
- Never spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
- Where possible all activities should be carried out with a minimum of two people in supervision.
- Never take children alone in a car on journeys, however short, unless with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge or the child’s parents or carers.
- Never take children to your home, unless with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge or the child’s parents or carers.
- Never engage yourself in rough, physical or sexually provocative games or horseplay.
- Never allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form.
- Never allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
- Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
- Never let allegations made by a child go unchallenged or unrecorded – always act.
- Never do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves, unless necessary, particularly for very young or disabled children. In these instances such tasks should be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents. In an emergency situation that requires this type of help parents must be fully informed at the earliest opportunity. Tasks of this kind must always be carried out sensitively bearing the child’s needs in mind and with the utmost discretion.
Procedures – Signs and Indicators
Children are reluctant to tell someone when they are being abused so it is essential that every adult is aware of the possible signs that a child’s welfare or safety is being threatened. However, there is rarely a clear sign and you may well have to piece together various snippets of information and rely on your instinct that something does not seem quite right.
Remember, it is not your job to decide if a child is being abused, but it is your responsibility to share your concerns.