By Jamie Clarke. Tuesday, 25 March 2008.
The FA continues to be committed to ensuring all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm those children and young people who participate in football at all levels.
This policy together with the Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines and educational programme sets out The FA’s position, role and responsibilities, and clarifies what is expected of other organisations and individuals involved in football.
Further details regarding The FA’s Safeguarding Policies can be obtained from The FA’s Safeguarding Children and Young People – Operations Manual, which can be accessed via www.TheFA.com/Goal
Child Protection Policy statement
Every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.
The FA recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. The FA is therefore committed to working to provide a safe environment for all children and young people to participate in the sport to the best of their abilities for as long as they choose to do so.
Key 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, 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 people and their parents and carers is essential.
The FA is committed to working in partnership with the Police, Social Services
Departments and local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCB) Committees (ACPC) in accordance with their procedures. This is essential to enable these organisations to carry out their statutory duties to investigate concerns and protect all children and young people.
Grassroots football wouldn’t exist without the many thousands of volunteers involved today. Ensuring that we encourage those individuals that are suitable for the many roles football has to offer is essential. Remember that a friendly, well run club is more likely to be successful in encouraging additional volunteers. However, we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that anyone may have the potential to abuse children and young people.
Therefore all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children and young people. Sound recruitment and selection procedures will help to screen out those who are not suitable to work in football.