Play Safe National Safeguarding Weekend is being held on Sat/Sun 17th/18th September. Led by The FA, it’s endorsed by the NSPCC and supported by the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and the Barclays Women’s Championship.
NWYFL is pleased to support the Play Safe campaign and we encourage all of our Member Clubs to help spread the message to all parents/carers.
Parents/carers can play a vital safeguarding role and to help spread this message The FA has released a new course specifically developed for parents/carers, which can be accessed here. This is a free online course and only takes 25-30minutes to complete.
Please visit the FA PlaySafe website for further information Football unites to promote the Play Safe message (thefa.com)
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
For example:
If you’re a coach working with children:
• Is your DBS Check up to date?
• Are you up to date with The FA’s ‘Safeguarding Children’ course?
• Do you regularly check-in with your players and help them to feel safe to share their thoughts and speak up about any concerns?
• Are you following safe practice when communicating with under-18s for example via social media?
If you’re a Board or Committee member at a club or league:
• Have you taken The FA’s ‘Safeguarding for Committee’ members’ course?
• Does your club have a formal welcome process for new players and their parents/carers?
• Are all your club’s safeguarding policies and procedures up to date?
• Are your Club Welfare Officers contact details widely available?
• Is safeguarding a constant item on your main meeting agendas and in your club’s day to day practices?
If you’re a parent/carer:
• Do you know your child’s club Welfare Officer?
• If so, do you have their tel no. in your ‘phone, as well as that of the NSPCC?
• Are you up to speed with your child’s club’s safeguarding policies and procedures?
• Have you taken The FA’s free online ‘Safeguarding For All’ course?
• Do you regularly check-in with your child to see what they are enjoying/not enjoying and why?
If you’re a Club or League Welfare Officer:
• Do you know who your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer is?
• If so, do you have their tel. no in your phone?
• Have you reviewed your club’s or league’s safeguarding policies and procedures recently?
If you are worried about a child, it’s vital you report your concerns. Doing nothing is not an option. It’s also important you stay calm, and if any child is present, reassure them they are not to blame. But don’t make promises of confidentiality or outcome.
There are five ways to report a concern:
1. To your club or league Designated Safeguarding Officer – please find out from your club who these people are;
2. To your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer. Click here for a list of County FA contacts;
3. By emailing The FA Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@TheFA.com;
4. If urgent and you cannot contact your club, league or County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline for expert advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk;
5. If it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the Police or Children’s Social Care in your area.
The NWYFL Designated Safeguarding Officer is Chris Dean (chris.dean@nwyfl.co.uk)
The Wiltshire County FA Safeguarding Designated Safeguarding Officer is Maria Lai Maria.Lai@WiltshireFA.com . Safeguarding@Wiltshirefa.com / 01793 486047
