Safeguarding Policy

Halesowen Town Colts Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person directly connected with the club and is committed to providing a safe environment for all. We recognise that those aged 16/17 years-of-age are legally defined as children and therefore we have a responsibility to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. As such, we subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures.

1. Halesowen Town Colts Football Club endorses and adopts the following key safeguarding principles:

• 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, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity;
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately; and
• 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.

Halesowen Town Colts Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

Halesowen Town 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 FA’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (see The FA Handbook TheFA.com/football- rules-governance/lawsandrules/fa-handbook) apply to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, including coaches/managers, volunteers, match officials, helpers on club tours, or medical staff or other club officials/helpers.

• We endorse and adopt The FA’s Safer Recruitment guidelines and we will:
  • Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves;
  • Request identification documents;
  • As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible interview people before appointing them;
  • Ask for and follow up with 2 references before appointing someone; and
  • Where eligible require an FA- accepted DBS enhanced with barred list Check, in line with The FA’s current Safeguarding Children Policy and Regulations.

All current Halesowen Town Colts Football Club members working in eligible roles with children and young people, such as coaches/managers and physiotherapists, are required to hold an in-date FA accepted DBS enhanced with barred list check as part of safer recruitment practice.

It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via the DBS Process and that all suitability decisions will be made in accordance with legislation and in the best interests of children and young people.

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of a club official who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Halesowen Town Colts Football Club, guidance will be sought from the County FA.

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

Halesowen Town Colts Football Club supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing policy (as described in this paragraph), which requires any adult or young person with concerns about an adult in a position of trust within football can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ, by emailing Safeguarding@TheFA. com or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC. The club encourages everyone to know about The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.

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/carers should be able to access our anti- bullying policy and know that incidents will be dealt with appropriately. Incidents need to be reported in accordance with paragraph 6 below. In cases of serious bullying the CFA Designated Safeguarding Officer may be contacted.

• In this Club, Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We know that inaction is not an option. If anyone is worried about a child it is important that they report their concerns to the Club Welfare Officer (if there is one) or a member of the Club committee, who will deal with reported concerns as follows:
• The Club Welfare Officer, Julie Evans (“CWO”) or a member of the Club Committee will manage poor practice and, where necessary, seek advice from the CFA Designated Safeguarding Officer (CFA DSO).

1. The CWO or a member of the Club committee will make referrals about more serious concerns to the CFA DSO, or in an emergency, contact the Police or Children’s Social Care.
2. We will ensure that if the child needs immediate medical treatment that we take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them it is a child protection concern.
3. The CWO or a member of the Club committee will keep records of the actions taken and keep the CFA Designated Safeguarding Officer informed. Julie Evans email: jevanswohtcfc@hotmail.com
4. Safeguarding@TheFA.com;
5. Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care; and/or call Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care;
6. Call the NSPCC 24-hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Halesowen Town Colts Football Club Committee understands and accepts our collective responsibility to adhere to our safeguarding children policy and procedures. We commit to ensuring our members are aware of and have access to our policies.

Reviewed: May 2025