LUTON BOROUGH F.C.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1. Luton Borough football club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of eighteen, engaged in any football activity. We subscribe to the Football Association’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.

2. The key principles of the FA child protection policy are that:

• 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 or 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. Luton Borough F.C recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

3.   Luton Borough FC. 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 child protection regulation (see the FA handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or a voluntary capacity. This includes those who are a volunteer , match official, football coach, club official or medical staff.

4.  We endorse and adopt the FA’s child protection and best practice guidelines for recruiting volunteers and will:

1. Develop a role profile
2. Request identification documents
3. As a minimum meet and chat with the applicants and where possible conduct interviews before appointing.
4. Request and follow up with two references before appointing.
5. Require a CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines.

All decisions made by Luton Borough football club will be made 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 the same. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of `grooming’ within football.

5. Luton Borough FC supports the FA’s whistle blowing policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can `whistle blow’ by contacting the FA child protection Manager on 0207 745 4771, by writing to the FA case manager at the Football Association, 25 Soho Sq, London. W1D 4FA or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC. We encourage everyone to know about it and use it if necessary.

6. Luton Borough FC has appointed a Child Protection Officer who will have completed the Child Protection and best practice workshop. The CPO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They will liaise with the FA CPO and will be aware of the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst club members.

7. 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 , parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CPO, a member of the committee or, in cases of serious bullying contact the FA. CPO.

8. Codes of Conduct for players, parents or spectators have been implemented by Luton Borough FC.

In order to validate these codes of conduct the club has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All prospective members will be informed of these codes.

9. Further advice on Child protection can be obtained from:

·        The County Football Association’s CPO whose details can be found in the county handbook.

·        The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection 24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000.

·        www.TheFA.com/Goal

·        The FA child protection team  0207 745 4649.

The Luton Borough FC Child Protection Officer is Nigel Halley.

Tel:     01525 873850

Mob:  07889 091088