Governance
Safeguarding
HHYFC takes its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child entrusted to its care very seriously. A child is anyone under 18 engaged in any club football activity — and safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult involved in the club.
Club Welfare Officer — Fiona Turner
welfare@hhyfc.info
Berks & Bucks FA: Safeguarding@Berks-BucksFA.com · 01235 554894
FA/NSPCC 24-hour helpline: 0808 800 5000 · help@nspcc.org.uk
Reporting a concern
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No action is not an option
If you are worried about a child, report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer (CWO), Fiona Turner, at welfare@hhyfc.info. Do not investigate yourself.
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What the CWO does next
If it is poor practice they will deal with it, or seek advice from the County FA Welfare Officer. If it is more serious — possible child abuse — they will contact the County FA Welfare Officer where possible, then immediately contact the Police or Children's Services.
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If a child needs medical treatment
Take them to hospital or call an ambulance, and tell them this is a child protection concern. Then let the CWO or County FA Welfare Officer know what action you took.
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If you can't reach the CWO, or it's clearly serious
Contact the Berks & Bucks FA Welfare Officer directly, call the Police (999 emergency, 101 non-urgent), or call the NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 (text 88858, help@nspcc.org.uk).
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Confidentiality
Only share information with those who need to know. Never promise a child you'll keep a disclosure secret.
Coach requirements
- FA Enhanced DBS Disclosure via the FA — required for anyone regularly caring for, supervising, training or in sole charge of children.
- FA Safeguarding Children course, kept in date.
- Emergency First Aid certificate from the FA — all HHYFC managers and coaches hold this as a minimum.
- Read and sign the club Code of Conduct annually.
The club also develops a role profile, requests identification documents, meets applicants and follows up two references before appointing anyone to a role with children.
Key principles of the FA Safeguarding Children Policy
- The child's welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
- All children have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of 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 their parents/carers is essential.