The Gloucester Primary Schools’ Football Association (GPSFA) in association with the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) and the Football Association (FA), 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 District Committee which oversees the Association’s representative football is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all those who participate in any District Team activities.

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 in that sport.

The key principles of the FA’s and GPSFA’s 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 FA’s Safeguarding Children Regulation applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. The GPSFA ensures that all those teachers and volunteers who have direct contact with the children will be subject to scrutiny in accordance with FA guidelines. All are required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via the ESFA/FA CRB Unit and attend the FA’s Safeguarding Children Workshop which is run by the Gloucestershire County FA (GFA).

GPSFA has adopted and published separate individual policies on Anti-Bullying and Discipline, and these should be read in conjunction with this Safeguarding Children Policy. A Code of Conduct for players, parents and spectators operates for all the Association’s games and is published in every home match day programme.

GPSFA has in accordance with ESFA / FA policy appointed an Association Welfare Officer (AWO) who has attended the designated person’s training provided by the GFA on behalf of the FA. The AWO is Keith Steadman (District Chairman, home telephone number 01452 502972), to whom any concerns with regard to this policy should be referred. The AWO is the first point of contact for children, parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child. The AWO will liaise directly with the ESFA or GFA Child Protection Officers who will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. 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. The AWO will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst all those actively involved with the GPSFA.

Other members of the District Committee have also undergone the designated training which will ensure a wider availability of the required knowledge.