Heckington JFC is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

Equality of opportunity at Heckington JFC means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

This includes:

The advertisement for volunteers.

The selection of candidates for volunteers.

Selection/provision of courses.

External coaching and education activities and awards.

Football development activities.

Selection for teams.

Appointments to honorary positions.

Heckington JFC will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

Heckington JFC is committed to the development of the programme of on-going training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation and in the wider context, within football as a whole.

Complaints Procedure

In the event that any member feels that they have suffered discrimination in any way or that the club policies, rules or codes of conduct have been broken the procedures shown below should be followed:

They should report the matter to the club secretary or another member of the committee.

The report should include:

Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.

Any witness statement and potential further witness details.

Names of others who have been treated in a similar way.

Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made.

A preference for a solution to the incident.

The club’s committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.

The club’s management committee will have the power to:

Warn as to future conduct.

Suspend from membership.

Remove from membership any person found to have broken the club’s policies or codes of conduct.

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Heckington JFC. If bullying does occur, all club members and parents/carers should be able to tell their club about this and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively by the club.

Anyone involved in Heckington JFC – including parents and spectators should read and understand this document – SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILTY.

Every child and young person who plays football should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football as a manager/coach/helper and spectator.

1. Heckington JFC 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 Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures.

Heckington JFC 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.

Heckington JFC recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

2. Heckington JFC has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted the The FA’s Safeguarding Children’s Regulations (within the FA Handbook) 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 Heckington JFC 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 Heckington JFC, guidance will be sought from the County Football Association. 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. Heckington JFC supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing policy 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 SW1P9EQ, by emailing Safeguarding@TheFA.com or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC.

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

5. Heckington JFC has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile who has completed the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop. The post holder will be involved with on-going Welfare Officer training provided by the The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The CWO will liaise directly with the County Welfare/Designated Safeguarding Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. The CWO will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of respect, poor practice and abuse amongst club members.

6. 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 anti-bullying policy and know that incidents will be dealt with appropriately. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO and in cases of serious bullying the County Welfare/Designated Safeguarding Officer may be contacted.

7. Codes of conduct for Players, Parents/Spectators, Officials and Coaches (as required by the CPSU Safeguarding Standards) have been implemented by Heckington JFC. 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 County Welfare/Designated Safeguarding Officer in more serious circumstances.

8. In this club safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we know that inaction is not an option. If anyone is worried about a child, it is important that they report their concerns to the CWO, who will deal with the reported concerns as follows:

Our CWO will manage poor practice and where necessary seek advice from the County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer (CFA DSO)

Our CWO will make referrals about more serious concerns to the County FA DSO, or in an emergency contact the police or Children’s Social Care

We will ensure that if the child/young person needs immediate medical treatment that we take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them it is a child protection concern.

Our CWO will keep records of the actions taken and keep the County FA DSO informed.

If at anytime our CWO is not available, or the matter is clearly serious, all our members should be aware that they can:

Contact the CFA DSO directly;

Contact The FA’s Safeguarding Team on 08001691863 or Safeguading@TheFA.com

Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care; and/or

Call the NSPCC 24-hour Helpline for advice on 08088005000 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures (including anti-bullying policy) are available via: TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding/section-1-footballs-safeguarding-framework

The FA’s Safer Recruitment guidance is available via: TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding/section-3-safer-recruitment-and-dbs-checks

Heckington JFC committee understands and accepts our collective responsibility to adhere to our safeguarding children policy and procedures. We commit to ensuring our members are aware of and have access to our policies.

Heckington Junior Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to participate in it.

Heckington Junior Football Club in all its activities will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably on grounds of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability. The club will ensure it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in and enjoy its activities.

Heckington Junior Football Club will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual, which for the purpose of this policy and the actions and sanctions applicable is regarded as discrimination. This includes sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal. The club will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

This policy is fully supported by the Club Welfare Officers who are responsible for the implementation of this policy.

Heckington Junior Football Club is committed to taking positive action where inequalities exist and to the development of a programme of on-going training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination and promote equality in football.

Heckington Junior Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members to abide and adhere to these policies and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

Heckington Junior Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination when brought to its attention, and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith and sanctions imposed as appropriate.