Welfare
SAFEGUARDING WITHIN THE NORTHUMBERLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUES
HELP US KEEP FOOTBALL SAFE AND ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE
Everyone shares the responsibility for safeguarding children and creating safe environments in football whether as a parent, coach, spectator or club official.
If you are involved in a club, which involves anyone under the age of 18 or thinking of setting up one, you need to ensure you have the correct safeguards in place to protect yourself, the organisation and the individuals involved.
Safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility. If you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns - no action is not an option.
If you are concerned about your child or another child in your club, you would normally contact your Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in the first instance. You should be given the contact details of the CWO at the start of the season.
If you do not know who your CWO is, speak to a coach in your club and ask for their details. The CWO will normally deal with cases of poor practice and behaviour within your club.
Please use the contact information supplied on this page to report any cases or concerns regarding safeguarding. And see the links below for more information and guidance on social media.
ONLINE SAFEGUARDING
In today’s world, safeguarding children and young people applies as much online as it does face-to-face.
We’re constantly looking to provide a supportive framework around everyone who participates in football, whatever their role.
This guidance role clearly extends to the use of digital platforms in a football context. Such platforms include websites, email, mobile messaging, and use of social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
Of course, these technologies have huge benefits. For example, it’s so much easier nowadays for a team or club to let its players know the times of training sessions, meet-ups, and match venues. However, we have to recognise that digital platforms can be misused, with increased risks to children and young people.
Football takes these risks extremely seriously. It’s with this in mind that a series of guidance notes have been developed, all listed below.
It’s essential that everyone involved in our great game makes informed decisions about how they use the internet, social media, mobile phone, and email communications – particularly when children and young people are involved.
