Huntingdonshire FA
Safeguarding Policy Statement
1. “Huntingdonshire Football Association is committed to its responsibilities to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people involved in football. Huntingdonshire FA extends this responsibility to every adult involved in youth football whether as managers, coaches, referees, parents or spectators.”
2. “We maintain the conviction that all children and young people have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, language, culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or social/economic background.”
3. “We are dedicated to creating and maintaining a safer, more enjoyable and inclusive environment for all children and young people to participate in football to the best of their abilities for as long as the choose to do so.”
For further information on The FA guidance, Policy and Procedure on Safeguarding Children and young people, or general advice, visit any of the website links to the right of the page.
For Welfare concerns contact your Club or League Welfare Officer or County Welfare Officer:
Mark Moffett – Mark.Moffett@huntingdonshirefa.com
If your concern is an urgent concern about serious abuse contact your local police station or social services department.
For general safeguarding advice or queries out of office hours contact The FA’s 24 hour reporting and helpline on 0800 085 0508 or email them at FootballforAll@TheFA.com
The FA and the Huntingdonshire FA believe football can have a powerful positive influence on children. But that means everyone involved in football must take on the responsibility of looking after those children that want to play the game.
How do I find out more information or have a specific concern?
If your child(ren) is already a member of a local junior football club, they will have a Club Welfare Officer. This person has volunteered to safeguard the best interests of children within that club and is your first point of contact. Alternatively you can contact your County FA and speak to the County Welfare Officer.
Some of the more worrying concerns are; How can we find out more about the dangers the Internet might pose and how can we educate ourselves and children to help combat those dangers? There are a host of information and educational websites available to; parents, carers, coaches and children (of various ages), but CEOPS (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre), in particular has a very informative website; http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk .Please visit and explore, it is well worthwhile.
Safeguarding Children Workshops
What are they?
These are three hour workshops which aim to encourage a safer environment for everyone. You will be encouraged to discuss some of the most important Safeguarding Children issues in football. The aim is to explore what appropriate and inappropriate behaviour looks sounds and feels like. Clear guidance is given on best practice in football and on what actions should be taken if there are worries about the welfare of a child or young person.
Why are they important?
Football, like any activity with children and young people, can and does attract people who wish to abuse their power over children. Sometimes this is sexual and sometimes it is physical or emotional and may include bullying or racist abuse.
Some people will have been coached or trained or brought up to think that shouting and even hitting children is acceptable in football. This workshop confirms that bullying and abuse in any form is unacceptable and we all have a legal and moral responsibility to be aware of and look out for children in our care.
How do I get on one?
Contact your County FA, they have a range of courses running and can direct you to the nearest one. The cost, which includes delivery by an FA accredited Tutor, a comprehensive resource pack and a certificate of attendance, To find out more contact wendy.chambers@huntsfa.com