Safeguarding is about all the things we do to create fun, and inclusive football environment and how we keep children and young people safe from harm when we are with them.

There are different types of safeguarding actions that help reduce the risk of harm for children.

Preventative Safeguarding measures minimise the risk of harm occurring in the first place. Preventative safeguarding includes – Policies, Safer recruitment, safeguarding training and ensuring adults working with children follow guidance around issues such as lone working and the use of social media.

Responsive Safeguarding includes things such as reporting mechanisms and review process. When low-level concerns, harm or abuse are identified they are quickly and effectively managed in line Lions City Football Club as well as Middlesex FA policies and procedures. 

Safeguarding Principles – A child is anyone under the age of 18, and that includes 16- and 17-year-olds. 

Safeguarding applies to all children – not just in our team but also the other team, young referees, young coaches, and spectators. 

Lions City 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 members. 

The key principles of ‘The FA Safeguarding Children Policies’, which we, Lions City FC follow are: 

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.

• All children and young adults have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief.

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

• Working in partnership with other organisations, children, and young adults as well as their parents/carers is essential. 

We acknowledge that every child or young adult 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. Lions City Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

Lions City Football Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young adult by protecting them from physical, sexual, or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that The Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Regulations 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.

Lions City FC endorses and adopts The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:

• Specify what the role and tasks are involved.

• 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.

• Where eligible require an FA accepted Enhanced Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Barring List Check in line with current FA policy and regulations.

At present Lions City Football Club members working in eligible roles, with children and young adults – such as managers and coaches are required to hold an in-date FA accepted Enhanced CRC with Barring List check as part of responsible recruitment practice1.

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Lions City Football Club guidance will be sought from The Football Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via the CRC Process and that all suitability decisions will be made in accordance with legislation and in the best interests of children and young people.  

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.

Lions City Football Club supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about an adult in a position of trust with 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. 

Lions City Football Club encourages everyone to know about The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.

Lions City Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers course. The post holder will be involved with Welfare Officer training provided by The FA and/or County FA. The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The Club Welfare Officer will liaise directly with the County FA (CFA) Welfare Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice, and abuse amongst club members.

Lions City Football Club, 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 tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Club Welfare Officer in cases of serious bullying the CFA Welfare Officer may be contacted.

Respect codes of conduct for Players, Parents/ Spectators, Officials and Coaches have been implemented by Lions City Football Club. To validate these Respect codes of conduct, The club has clear actions it will take regarding repeated or serious misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the County FA in more serious circumstances.

Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young adult, Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if you are worried about a child, it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.

If you are worried about a child, then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.

If the issue is one of poor practice the Club Welfare Officer will, deal with the matter themselves or seek advice from the CFA Welfare Officer

If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible, contact the CFA Welfare Officer first, then immediately contact the Police or Children’s Social Care.

If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.

If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer, or the matter is clearly serious then you can contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly.

Contact The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863 or Safeguarding@TheFA.com

Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care, call the NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Further advice on Safeguarding Children matters can be obtained from:

safeguardingofficer@lionscityfootballclub.co.uk

Suraj – 07984578263

Salim Rehman – 07949533199

County Football Association’s Welfare Officer

safeguarding@middlesexfa.com

The FA Safeguarding Children general enquiry line 0845 210 8080

Safeguarding helps to keep football safe, fun, and open to everyone.