Safeguarding Children Policy
Making football safe - not sorry
Safeguarding advice and resources:
www.TheFA.com/Footballsafe
Footballsafe@TheFA.com
FA Safeguarding Children general inquiry line:
0845 210 8080
Safeguarding Policy for Canterbury Eagles FC
Introduction
Canterbury Eagles FC is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for young people and vulnerable adults participating in our activities. This safeguarding policy outlines our measures to protect our participants and ensure their well-being.
A child or young person is anyone under 18 engaged in any club football activity.
We subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children – Policy and Procedures and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.
A vulnerable adult, often referred to as an "adult at risk," is a person aged 18 or over who:
Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs).
Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.
As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.
This definition is outlined in the Care Act 2014.
1. Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
Protect young people and vulnerable adults from harm.
Provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles guiding our safeguarding approach.
Ensure that all staff and volunteers understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
All members, volunteers, and staff of Canterbury Eagles.
Any person working on behalf of Canterbury Eagles.
3. Legal Framework
This policy has been drawn up based on law and guidance that seeks to protect young people and vulnerable adults, including:
The Children Act 1989 and 2004.
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
The Care Act 2014.
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020.
4. Definitions
Young Person: Anyone under the age of 18.
Vulnerable Adult: A person aged 18 or over who is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation due to a mental or physical impairment or other reason.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Canterbury Eagles Football Club 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 neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that The Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football, whether paid or voluntary. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.
Canterbury Eagles Football Club will appointed a number of Club Welfare Officers in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop. The post holders will be involved with Welfare Officer training provided by The FA and/or County FA. The Club Welfare Officer(s) is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person.
The Club Welfare Officer(s) will liaise directly with the County FA (CFA) Welfare Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse among club members.
Club Welfare Officer (CWO): The CWO is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and handling any safeguarding concerns.
Coaches and Volunteers: Must adhere to this policy and report any concerns to the CWO.
Parents and Guardians: Encouraged to support the club’s safeguarding measures and report any concerns via the club's email account and complaints policy.
6. Recruitment and Training
Safer Recruitment: All staff and volunteers working with young people and vulnerable adults will undergo a thorough recruitment process, including background checks (DBS checks).
Training: All staff and volunteers will receive training on safeguarding procedures and how to recognise and report concerns.
We endorse and adopt The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:
• specify what the role is and what tasks it involves
• request identification documents
• as a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible interview people before appointing them
• where eligible require an FA accepted Enhanced Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Barring List Check in line with current FA policy and regulations.
All current Football Club members working in eligible roles, with children and young people - such as managers and coaches are required to hold an in-date FA accepted Enhanced CRC with Barring List check as part of responsible recruitment practice
If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Canterbury Eagles Football Club 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 CRC Process and that all suitability decisions will be made in accordance with legislation and 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 children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football
7. Code of Conduct
Players
Act respectfully and sportingly to all at all times
Behave appropriately when wearing the club’s kit
Regularly attend training and matches
Parents and spectators
Understand they, and their players, are representing the club
Remain behind the game’s "respect line"
Maintain the club's reputation for sportsmanship
Respect the decisions of the referee and match officials
Do not "coach" players during matches
Provide positive support and encouragement to all players
Every Canterbury Eagles player and parent must adhere to these guidelines. If the code is not followed, the offending party may, subject to review:
be asked to apologise to offended parties
Be required to meet with the club or FA Welfare Officer
receive a formal warning
be dropped, substituted, suspended, asked not to attend future games or have their membership revoked.
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 or parents/carers should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Club Welfare Officer in cases of serious bullying the CFA Welfare Officer may be contacted.
8. Children who Board
Canterbury Eagles Football Club recognises that some children and young people participating in club activities may live away from their parent(s) or person(s) with parental responsibility. This may include children attending boarding school, living with a host family or guardian, or otherwise living away from home.
Where a parent or person with parental responsibility is not available locally, the Club must be informed of the arrangements in place for the child's day-to-day care and participation in Club activities.
A Nominated Responsible Adult must be identified who is available locally and is authorised to act as the Club's primary contact in relation to the child's attendance at club activities. The Club must be provided with appropriate contact details for both the child's parent/person with parental responsibility and the Nominated Responsible Adult.
Clear arrangements must be in place for:
attendance, transport arrival and collection from training and matches
emergency contact and response
relevant medical information and emergency medical arrangements
communication between the Club, parent/carer and Nominated Responsible Adult
arrangements where the Nominated Responsible Adult is unavailable
Responsibility for ensuring these arrangements are in place rests with the parent/person with parental responsibility and, where applicable, the organisation or individual responsible for the child's day-to-day care.
Participation in Canterbury Eagles activities does not transfer parental responsibility or general responsibility for the child's care to the Club, its coaches or volunteers. The Club's responsibility relates to safeguarding and appropriately supervising the child while participating in Club activities. See Guidance for coaches around providing lifts
Any concerns about the suitability or operation of these arrangements must be referred to the Club Welfare Officer.
Parents/carers, Nominated Local Contacts and, where applicable, schools or other organisations responsible for a player's day-to-day care are expected to follow the arrangements agreed with the Club and to inform the Club promptly of any changes.
Where agreed arrangements are not followed, the Club will take a proportionate approach based on the circumstances and any potential impact on the player's welfare.
9. Reporting Concerns
Any concerns about the welfare of a participant should be reported to the CWO immediately.
If the CWO is not available, concerns should be reported to the deputy CWO or another senior member of staff.
All concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon in line with the club’s safeguarding procedures.
Canterbury Eagles Football Club supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about an adult in a position of trust with football can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ, by emailing Safeguarding@TheFA.com or by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC. Canterbury Eagles Football Club encourages everyone to know about The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.
10. Responding to Disclosures
Listen carefully and reassure the individual.
Do not promise confidentiality; explain that you may need to share the information to keep them safe.
Record the disclosure accurately and report it to the CWO as soon as possible.
11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Information about safeguarding concerns will be shared only with those who need to know in order to protect the individual.
All records will be kept securely.
12. Monitoring and Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant incidents or changes in legislation.
Feedback from participants, parents, and staff will be sought to improve safeguarding practices.
13. Additional Policies
This safeguarding policy should be read in conjunction with other club policies, including:
Risk Assessment
Equality and Diversity Policy
Complaints Policy
Contact Information - If a child is in immediate danger, please contact the police.
Club Welfare Officer (CWO)
Sam Evans
07418 361358 (Text only)
Kent FA
Lucy Kidd - Head of Safeguarding and Welfare
Sara Quinlan - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer
01622 792140 (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday)
For guidance related to a safeguarding concern outside of office hours, please email Safeguarding@KentFA.com or call NSPCC 24/7 on 0808 800 5000
The FA
The FA Safeguarding Children general enquiry line: 0845 210 8080
By implementing this safeguarding policy, Canterbury Eagles aims to create a safe and positive environment where young people and vulnerable adults can enjoy football and develop their skills.
Approval and Review
Policy Approved By: [Tony Payne - Chair]
Date: [1 Aug 2026]
Next Review Date: [1 Aug 2027]
This policy is approved and endorsed by Canterbury Eagles FC.