THE BARKING & DAGENHAM Schools’ Football Association (Primary) recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people entrusted to its care by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm, poor practice, neglect, bullying and abuse. The BDSFA Committee, which oversees all aspects of primary schools’ football including representative football, is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all those who participate in any District Team activities. All primary schools in the borough are expected to endorse and adhere to this policy.

Every child or young person who plays or participates in sport should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse of any kind. This is the responsibility of every adult involved. The B.D.S.F.A. committee will play a proactive role in increasing awareness of poor practice and will address, whenever possible, verbal abuse and / or bullying of children by others, including parents, coaches and indeed other children. This aspect of the policy is supported by the F.A. Respect Programme.

The key principles of this Child Welfare and Safeguarding Children Policy are:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
• All children and young persons have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
• 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 persons and their parents or carers is essential.

The policy in accordance with the F.A.’s Safeguarding Children Regulation applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. The BDSFA ensures that all those teachers and volunteers who have direct contact with the children will be subject to scrutiny in accordance with FA guidelines.  CRB Enhanced Disclosure via the ESFA/FA is required for teachers and other adults who manage or organise the District teams. A Code of Conduct for players, parents and spectators operates.

BDSFA has in accordance with ESFA/FA policy appointed an Association Child Welfare Officer who has attended the designated person’s training provided by the Essex County FA on behalf of the FA. The CWO has attended the Safeguarding children workshop and the Child Welfare officer course run by Essex County F.A. The Child Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for children, parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child. When appropriate, the Child Welfare Officer will liaise with the Borough’s Child Protection officer and/or the ESFA.  District representative teams are selected from children who have been nominated by their schools and as such the designated person within the child’s school may be contacted should this be appropriate.

What to do if you have a concern about the welfare of a child or children

There are five ways to report a concern:

1. To the BDSFA Child Welfare Officer: dmoore50@hotmail.co.uk or bdsfa@hotmail.co.uk
2. To the English Schools’ F.A. National Welfare Officer: Emma.Allen@schoolsfa.com (07855 942337) or martin.duffield@schoolsfa.com (07852 276416)
3. To your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer: safeguarding@essexfa.com
4. By emailing The FA Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@TheFA.com
5. If urgent and you cannot contact your CWO or County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline for expert advice and support on 0808 800 5000or help@nspcc.org.uk

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.

Whistle-blowing

Whistle-blowing in a safeguarding context means revealing and raising concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation, or within an independent structure associated with it.

Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague’s conduct towards a child or young person can also use whistleblowing by calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA’s safeguarding team, or via email to: Safeguarding@TheFA.com

Alternatively, concerns can be reported:

• Direct to the local Police or Children’s Social Care services; or
• The Child Protection in Sport Unit at cpsu@nspcc.org.uk; or
• The NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Last reviewed: February 2024