Safeguarding & Child Welfare
Safeguarding
Bealonians Football Club is totally committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The club holds an expectation that all volunteers share and adhere to this commitment.
Standards of practice promoted by the football club look to ensure that all volunteers are aware of their responsibilities to safeguarding. There is a requirement that all volunteers undertake relevant safeguarding training and courses promoted by the Football Association.
Our key safeguarding principles
To administer our safeguarding initiatives and controls, Bealonians Football Club has a nominated Child Welfare Officer, Bill Blackwell.
Bill has attended the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop and a Welfare Officer Workshop, in addition to having an in-date enhanced DBS/ criminal records check.
The primary roles of the Child Welfare Officer are:
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to initiate the relevant certification checks on individuals looking to volunteer and work with young people and adults at risk
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to ensure safeguarding is at the core of the club's ethos and statement of intent
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to promote best practice and to deal with any poor practice and welfare issues that may arise
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to investigate fully any safeguarding complaints that are raised, and document completely the findings and outcomes
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to consult with the relevant authorities as needed
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to promote the Safeguarding Awareness for Parents and Carers course
With the above in place the following standards are up-held:
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To ensure all volunteers are duly certified, allowing them to participate at the club
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To safeguard all children and young people who interact with the club
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To demonstrate best practice in safeguarding children and young people
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To develop a positive and initiative-taking welfare programme to enable all children and young people to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment
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To promote high ethical standards throughout the football club
Reporting a safeguarding concern
At Bealonians FC, anybody with concerns about the safety of and wellbeing of a child, young person and adults at risk, should contact our designated Child Welfare Officer, Bill Blackwell.
If you would prefer not to report into the club's Child Welfare Officer, please contact the NSPCC, Essex County FA safeguarding team and/or the police.
Please Note: All information provided to us will be shared with other agencies if we think that a child, young person or adult could be at risk of harm.
When a member of staff or volunteer raises a concern, it is known as whistleblowing. All issues raised will be taken very seriously. Our Child Welfare Officer will follow the procedures when a case is reported and will maintain confidentiality on all information, only sharing with relevant parties if required. The person who reported their concerns will be updated with all findings during the process.
Child Welfare Officer
If you are concerned about the immediate safety or welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk, please contact our Child Welfare Officer, Bill Blackwell:
You can also contact the following:
NSPCC
0808 800 5000 (24-hour helpline)
help@nspcc.org.uk
Essex County Football Association
www.essexfa.com/safeguarding-and-welfare/report-a-concern
Police
101 (999 in an emergency)
Further support and useful links
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
Childline
Samaritans
Stonewall
Young Minds