Safeguarding Policy

Effective Date: September 2022

SSF (small sided football) Provider’s Responsibilities

The SSF Provider acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every young person registered with the SSF Provider and is committed to providing a safe environment for all. The SSF Provider recognises that those aged 16/17 years-of-age are legally defined as children, and it has a responsibility to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. As such it will subscribe to The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures.

The SSF Provider endorses and adopts the following key safeguarding principles:

1. The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration;
2. All 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;
3. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately; and working in partnership with other organisations, young people and their parents/carers is essential; and
4. That every young person who participates in the SSF Provider’s sites, leagues and competitions should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice inappropriate behaviour and abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in SSF Provider’s activities and it will effectively communicate this to its customers and players.

SSF Provider’s Role

SSF Provider has a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all 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 and Equality Policy (see The FA Handbook) apply to the SSF Provider and each of its employees and workers whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, including team organisers, administrators, referees/match officials, medical staff and players.

Acceptable Behaviour when working with Young People

The SSF Provider acknowledges that everyone who works or volunteers with young people is responsible and accountable for the way in which they behave around and towards them and every young person has a right to be treated with respect and dignity. The SSF Provider shall require all adults involved with its SSF activities to exhibit acceptable behaviour. The SSF Provider shall adopt The FAs ‘Acceptable Behaviours When Working With Young People; Guidance for Grassroots Football’ (5.7).

Managing Concerns

The SSF Provider acknowledges that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and it understands that inaction is not an option and if anyone within the SSF Provider’s organisation is worried about a young person it is important that they report their concerns to a member of the SSF Provider’s appropriated staff. The SSF Provider will follow the following process:

1. The SSF Provider’s staff will manage poor practice and where necessary seek advice from the local County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO);
2. The SSF Provider’s named senior member of staff, [ROSS SPACEY ross.spacey@soccersixes.net], will make referrals about serious concerns to the County FA DSO, or in an emergency contact the Police or Children’s Social Care;
3. If the young person needs immediate medical treatment, then the SSF Provider will call an ambulance and tell them it is a child protection concern or take them to a hospital;
4. A senior member of the SSF Provider’s staff, [ROSS SPACEY ross.spacey@soccersixes.net], will keep records of the actions taken and keep the County FA DSO informed; and
5. If a member of [ROSS SPACEY ross.spacey@soccersixes.net] staff is not available at any time, or the matter is clearly serious, the SSF Provider shall make its players and customers aware that they can:
   • Contact the County FA DSO directly;
   • Contact The FA’s Safeguarding Team via Safeguarding@TheFA.com;
   • Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care; and/or
   • Call the NSPCC Helpline (Monday to Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at the weekends) for advice on 0808 800 5000 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

Cick here to download Safeguarding Policy.