The Huntingdonshire FA is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and young people in football, to ensure that the game is played in a safe, fun environment.

On Monday 5^th March 2018 the Cambridgeshire Police informed our Designated Safeguarding Officer that a Registered Sex Offender with a Sexual Harm Prevention order in place was involved as a volunteer within a club affiliated to the county, our Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately reported the matter to The FA Safeguarding Team at Wembley. The Huntingdonshire FA is extremely grateful for the individual that reported their concern to the Cambridgeshire Police in line with The Huntingdonshire FA and The FA Safeguarding Guidance.

Huntingdonshire FA wants to ensure everyone that we take all reports of safeguarding seriously, and in line with The FA safeguarding procedures, we are working closely with The FA, The Police, relevant authorities and the football club.

Safeguarding is embedded in everything Huntingdonshire FA does through the support and guidance we provide clubs, coaches, parents and referees as well as through our various courses and activities. Information regarding Safeguarding in Football can be read on http://www.huntsfa.com/about/rules-and-regulations/safeguarding-and-welfare.

All clubs affiliated to The Huntingdonshire FA are required to sign up to a Safeguarding Commitment each season; this is followed up by regular unannounced visits to training sessions/matches to ensure that only those individuals named by the club and have the relevant in-date coaching qualifications including safeguarding and Criminal Record Checks are involved in that respected team.

Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult towards a child or young person under 18 years of age in football, is required to refer it to The FA Safeguarding team. This team is staffed by professionals who are experienced in dealing with these concerns.

Referring a concern can be done via your club, league or County FA – all will have a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). Alternatively, you can email us directly via safeguarding@thefa.com.

If the matter is urgent and you cannot contact your club or County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, you can call The NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 – or if it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the police or children’s social care in your area.

If you are concerned that someone may be behaving inappropriately or seeking to groom a child in an online environment, then please use the CEOP https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/, as well as informing your County FA or The FA via safeguarding@thefa.com