TEVERSHAM COLTS 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 it's 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, safeguarding children and young people (revised edition 2004) and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.

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, religous beliefs or sexual orientation.

...All suspicions and allegations of all abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

...Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/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. TEVERSHAM COLTS 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 Associations Regulation applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

We endorse and adopt The FA's Child protection and best practice-Guidelines for recruiting volunteers and will:

...Develop a role profile and use standard application forms.

...Request identification documents.

...As a minimum meet the applicant and where possible conduct interviews.

...Request a follow up two references before appointing.

...Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure.

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of TEVERSHAM COLTS FOOTBALL CLUB guidance will be sought from The Football Associaion. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the offence, and or soft data provided on the enhanced disclosure, to the safety of children. All decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.

In addition all current TEVERSHAM COLTS FOOTBALL CLUB members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRB E nhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit.

It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or oung 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.

TEVERSHAM COLTS FOOTBALL CLUB supports The FA's Whistle Blowing Policy - this is an early warning system where anyone can raise concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation or within an independent structure associated with it.

Any adult or young persons with concerns about a colleague can also use 'whistle blowing' by contacting The FA Child Protection Team on 0207 745 4914 or by writing to The Case Administrator, Child Protection Team, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London, W1D 4FA. We would encourage everyone to know about it and utilise it whenever necessary.

TEVERSHAM COLTS FOOTBALL CLUB has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with the FA's role profile and attendance at a Child Protection and Best Practice - Workshop. The post holder will be involved with any designated persons training provided by The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents/guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They liase 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.

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 or parents/guardians should be able to tell and know the incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO or member of the committee or alternatively contact the CFA CPO. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to The FA. The bullying allegation will be investigated and an attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour. If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.

Codes of Conduct have been developed in partnership with the relevant stakeholders as part of TEVERSHAM COLTS FOOTBALL CLUB safeguarding initiatives. All stakeholder groups are to be informed of the clubs codes on joining the club. There will be an annualreview to make any necessary amends. See:

(i) Players Code of Conduct
(ii) Parents/Spectators Code of Conduct
(iii)Officials Code of Conduct
(iiii)Coaches Code of Conduct

In order to validate/substantiate these codes of conduct the club has developed sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and accepts the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstances. (IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE CLUB MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED IN DECIDING WHAT SANCTIONS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE E.G. VERBAL WARNING, MATCH BAN).

Further advice on Child Protection matters can be obtained from:

The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection 24 - Hour Help Line 0808 800 5000

The Cambridgeshire County Football Association's Child Protection Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook.