Child Protection Policy

Policy statement

Upminster Park Rovers Junior Football Club is committed to creating and preserving the safest possible environment for children to play football. It is the duty of all Club Officials, Team Management and any other individuals directly or indirectly involved with the club to be aware of and help prevent the abuse which children can suffer - neglect, physical, sexual and emotional.

Upminster Park Rovers Junior Football Club accepts children’s welfare is paramount and all children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender or religious belief, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. The club assures all members that it will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith, reports a concern that a club member is, or may be, abusing a child.

Screening

All existing and prospective adult members will be required to complete adult membership documentation and any adult in direct contact with children will be subject to the Football Association’s CRB checking procedure.

Club procedure

Upminster Park Rovers Junior Football Club will follow the procedures and practices set out in the Football Association’s Child Protection Procedures & Practices Handbook. The designated person in charge in relation to club activities is the Club Welfare Officer (CWO).

It must be stressed that it is not the member’s responsibility to prove that abuse is actually taking place. It is however, their responsibility to report any concerns to the CWO who has been trained to deal with such allegations. The CWO will report these concerns in accordance with the Football Association’s Child Protection Procedures and will act in the strictest of confidence at all times. If the allegation concerns the CWO the matter should be reported to the Club Chairman.

There may be circumstances where concerns raised relate to poor practice rather than abuse. If the CWO is advised that the matter relates to poor practice rather than abuse the matter will be dealt with by the Club. If the poor practice continues the matter will be reported to the Football Association. 

Any member suspended under Football Association Regulations will have their club membership suspended. Members under suspension may not attend any club activities where children are in attendance. Any members that allow a suspended member to attend such an activity will be subject to disciplinary action.

The suspended member may apply to resume their membership when the suspension is lifted by the Football Association.