Child Welfare & Safeguarding Children Policy

THE BARKING & DAGENHAM SCHOOLS’ Football Association (BDSFA) recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people entrusted to its care. This includes protecting them from physical, sexual, or emotional harm, neglect, poor practice, bullying, and abuse.

The BDSFA Committee oversees all aspects of primary schools’ football, including representative football, and is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants in District Team activities. All primary schools in the borough are expected to endorse and adhere to this policy.

Safeguarding Principles

Every child or young person participating in sport should be able to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment, free from abuse of any kind. This is a shared responsibility for all adults involved in BDSFA activities.

The BDSFA Committee is committed to increasing awareness of poor practice and addressing incidents of verbal abuse or bullying, including those involving parents, coaches, or other children. This is supported by The FA’s Respect Programme.

Key Principles

  • The welfare of the child is paramount.
  • All children and young people have the right to protection from abuse, regardless of 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 promptly and appropriately.
  • Working in partnership with children, parents, carers, and other organisations is essential.

This policy, in accordance with The FA’s Safeguarding Children Regulation, applies to everyone involved in football, whether in a paid or voluntary role. All teachers and volunteers with direct contact with children are subject to scrutiny under FA guidelines.

Enhanced DBS disclosure via the ESFA/FA is mandatory for teachers and adults managing or organising district teams. A Code of Conduct for players, parents, and spectators is in place.

Child Welfare Officer (CWO)

BDSFA has appointed a designated Child Welfare Officer (CWO), who has attended relevant safeguarding training provided by Essex County FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for concerns about a child’s welfare and may liaise with the Borough Child Protection Officer and/or the ESFA when necessary.

District team players are nominated by their schools, and designated safeguarding leads at those schools may also be contacted if appropriate.

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

There are several ways to report concerns about a child’s welfare:

  • To the BDSFA Child Welfare Officer: mblooman@st-vincent.bardaglea.org.uk or via bdsfa@hotmail.co.uk
  • To the English Schools’ FA National Welfare Officers:
    Emma Allen: Emma.Allen@schoolsfa.com/07855 942337
    Martin Duffield: martin.duffield@schoolsfa.com/07852 276416
  • To your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer: safeguarding@essexfa.com
  • By emailing The FA Safeguarding Team at: safeguarding@TheFA.com
  • If urgent and you cannot contact the above, call the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
  • If it is an emergency and a child is at immediate risk, contact the Police or Children’s Social Care in your area.

Whistle-blowing

Whistle-blowing in a safeguarding context refers to raising concerns about misconduct or malpractice within an organisation.

Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague’s conduct towards a child can whistle-blow by:

  • Calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA’s Safeguarding Team.
  • Emailing: Safeguarding@TheFA.com
  • Reporting directly to the local Police or Children’s Social Care Services.
  • Contacting the Child Protection in Sport Unit: cpsu@nspcc.org.uk
  • Calling the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk