Club Policies and Procedures

Child Protection Policy

Rotherham Town JFC 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 18 engaged in any club 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.

The key principles of The FA child protection policy are that:

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

Rotherham Town JFC 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 Football Association’s child protection regulation (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This includes those who are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

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

All current Rotherham Town JFC Football Club members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Rotherham Town JFC guidance will be sought from The Football Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit Enhanced CRB Disclosure and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.
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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.

Rotherham Town JFC 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 Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC.

Rotherham Town JFC encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.

Rotherham Town JFC has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the child protection and best practice workshop. The post holder will be involved with designated person’s training provided by The FA.

The CWO 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 directly with the CFA CPO and will be familiar with 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.

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 CWO, a member of the committee or, in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.

Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Rotherham Town JFC. 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.

Further advice on child protection matters can be obtained from:

County Handbook

• The FA child protection team 0207 745 4649.

 

Child Protection Reporting Procedure

Whether informed directly by a child or young person, via a third party, or through your own observations within a football setting, you should follow the outlined procedure below (The FA Reporting procedure)

• Ensure the immediate safety of the child or young person
• If the child or young person needs immediate medical treatment, take them to hospital or telephone for an ambulance, inform doctors of concerns and ensure that they are aware that this is a child protection issue
• Report the concerns to the designated person for child protection or the person in charge immediately, unless the concern is about this individual. Rotherham Town JFC Child Protection officer is Paul Davis 01709 532144 and his deputy Joanne Galloway 01709 518791.
• If the designated person is not available, or the concern is about this person, report your concerns directly to the local Social Services, the local Police or The FA/NSPCC Child Protection Helpline (0808 800 5000).
• These agencies will advise you whether a formal referral to Social Services is necessary and what further action you might need to take. If you are advised to make a formal referral make it clear to Social Services or the Police that this is a child protection referral.
• All police forces have dedicated Child Protection Teams (CPTs) which deal with allegations of abuse within the family setting and by people in a position of trust. In a real emergency dial 999 to involve the full squad.
• Remember if the concern is about someone involved within a football setting and you are unable to contact the appropriate designated person, then you should also inform the FA Case Manager on 0207 745 4771 and let them know what action, in line with FA procedures, you have taken.

 

 




Anti-bullying Policy

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all club members or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the Club Welfare Officer or any committee member.

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures)
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic - because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.


Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. The impact upon a child or young person can be devastating and in some cases affect all aspects of their life, in extreme circumstances it can lead to suicide threats or even attempts.

The club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying by:

• All club members, coaches, officials and parents/carers showing an understanding of what bullying is
• All club members, officials and coaching staff knowing  what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
• All players and parents/carers knowing what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

Anti-bullying Procedure

• Report bullying incidents to the CPO or a member of the clubs committee or contact the CFA CPO. Rotherham Town JFC Child Protection officer is Paul Davis 01709 532144 and his deputy Joanne Galloway 01709 518791.
• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the CFA CPO for advice and possibly to The FA Case Management System
• Parents will be informed and will be invited to come to a meeting to discuss the problem
  If necessary and appropriate, the Police will be consulted
• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour
• If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.

 

Health and Safety Policy

Managers and Volunteers  in ensuring the health and safety of its players should always ensure the following wherever possible :

• There is a qualified first aider present
• There is a suitable first aid kit
• There is an emergency phone available
• Goal Post safety guidelines are followed
• The venue is safe
• There are no obstacles to cause injury
• If indoors the fire procedures are known
• Access for emergency vehicles is ensured
• Players are suitable attired, in particular shin pads MUST be worn
• The ball is safe—  i.e there are no splits

 

First Aid

Rotherham Town JFC commits to:

• Ensuring at least one qualified First Aider is present at all its matches.
• A suitable first aid kit is available at all matches.

Regular reviews of the qualifications held at each age group will be made and training will be facilitated where it is required.
Parents, guardians and relatives of playing members are reminded however that volunteers are trained in basic first aid only and seeking of medical advice may be recommended in some instances. 
Managers and volunteers registered with the club are specifically prohibited from administering drugs in any form.
Managers and volunteers will not undertake ANY task which may put them or their “patient” at risk under the Child Protection Policy.

 

Manager and Volunteer Training

Rotherham Town JFC understands the need for continued development of its volunteers to ensure the high standards and best practice it sets itself.
As such the club strongly recommends to all its volunteers and managers that they attend appropriate training courses, be that manager training, coach training, first aid and child protection.
The club commits to do all in its power to ensure that access to appropriate training is given and that equal opportunity for this is maintained.

 




Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunities

Rotherham Town JFC upholds the philosophy of the Football Association in believing that football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, everyone equally. We commit to eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or ability and to encourage equal opportunities.
With this in mind the following policies are at the heart of all our club's activities.

 

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Rotherham Town JFC will make itself responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. It agrees with the FA that 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 Rotherham Town JFC means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

This includes:

• The advertisement for volunteers
• The advertisement for players
• The selection of candidates for volunteers
• Football development activities
• Selection for teams

Rotherham Town JFC will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behavior, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such behavior is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs. This includes expulsion from the club where necessary.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Rotherham Town JFC is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority, to abide and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of the Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.
All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically discrimination is prohibited in:

• Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favorably than others.
• Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirement(s) for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which are different to the requirements for others.
• Imposing on an individual, requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example this would include applying a condition (which is not warranted by the requirements of the position) which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that race or sex.
• Victimisation or harassment of an individual.
• Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. In all the club's recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary and other matters (in other words all instances where those in control of members are required to make judgments between them) it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

Rotherham Town JFC commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement will be made that the practice cease forthwith.
Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against the Football Club's policy, any members offending and refusing to desist will be expelled from the club.
Rotherham Town JFC commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting, assistance will be given wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.

 

Club Complaints Procedure

In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way or that the club policies, rules or Code of Conduct have been broken, they should follow the procedures below.

They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or another member of the Committee.

Your report should include:

• Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.
• Any witness statement and names.
• Names of any 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 Management 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 or remove from membership, any person found to have broken the club's policies or Codes of Conduct.

Disciplinary Procedure

On receipt of any complaint made to the club, the Club’s management committee will meet to consider the allegation.  The quorum for a disciplinary meeting will be five.

The committee  will also be convened to consider other notification (e.g from the County FA or leagues the club is affiliated to) of members breaking the club’s rules or those of the FA.

Minutes will be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.

The panel shall have the power to impose any penalties it sees fit against club members found guilty of transgressing the rules, policies and procedures of the club. All penalties will be recorded such that similar future cases can be dealt with in a similar way ensuring consistency of penalties imposed.