Safeguarding Policy

1.

Hitchin Futsal acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person and is committed to providing a safe environment for all. We recognise that a child is anyone under the age of 18 and subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures.

Hitchin Futsal 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.

Hitchin Futsal recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

2.

Hitchin Futsal 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 https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding) 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

3.

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 two 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 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.

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Hitchin Futsal, guidance will be sought from the County Football Association (CFA). 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. 

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.

4.

Hitchin Futsal 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. Hitchin Futsal encourages everyone to know about The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.

5.

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 and parents/carers should be able to access our antibullying policy and know that incidents will be dealt with appropriately. Incidents need to be reported to Hitchin Futsal and in cases of serious bullying the CFA Designated Safeguarding Officer may be contacted.

6.

Codes of conduct for Players, Parents/ Spectators, Officials and Coaches (as required by the CPSU Safeguarding Standards) have been implemented by Football Club. In order to police these 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 CFA in more serious circumstances.