Safeguarding Children

The safety of children and vulnerable adults involved in football is of key importance to the Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association. This section of the website is aimed at developing knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the safeguarding children and best practice for those involved with youth teams or leagues, as well as providing specific information and guidance for both Youth Club and Youth League Welfare Officers. The Leicestershire and Rutland County FA are continuously working closely with The Football Association to ensure that all the latest Safeguarding Children policies and procedures are being adopted by the clubs and leagues that operate across the county. It is the clear stance that we must all work together to make football a safe – not sorry environment through taking a proactive approach towards safeguarding and protecting children.

Report your concerns
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.

1. If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.

2. If the issue is one of poor practice they will either:
• Deal with the matter themselves or
• Seek advice from the County FA Welfare Officer

3. If the concern is more serious - possible child abuse - where possible contact the County FA Welfare Officer first, then immediately contact the Police or Children's Services

4. If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken

5. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer or the matter is serious then you can either:
• Contact your County FA Welfare Officer directly
• Call The FA/NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000
• Contact the Police or Children's Services

If you are a Youth League Welfare Officer then please report your concerns directly to your County FA Welfare Officer or follow the advice given in point 5 above.

Safeguarding in Leicestershire & Rutland Football

The role of Youth League and Club Welfare Officers are now a mandatory position in children's football (all those under the age of 18). This is an indication of the importance that is being placed upon ensuring that football is experienced as a safe, enjoyable and positive activity by all. This will help to continue to promote best practices in the game as well as tackling all forms of abuse that may exists, whether it is through bullying, physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or neglect. We ALL have a moral and legal responsibility for the safety and protection of young people within football. However, the role of Welfare Officer takes on additional responsibility of aiming to make football as safe as possible.

The Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association’s commitment towards developing football and the knowledge and expertise those involved is continued in the domain of Safeguarding Children. The Safeguarding Children Workshop offers an excellent introduction into an understanding and awareness of the issues and procedures that surround the area of child protection for all involved in football, whether as a coach, parent, welfare officer, volunteer, secretary or referee. This workshop aims to explore what is meant by best and poor practice, and how to recognize concerns about the welfare of children and young people and what to do if you have any concerns. The Welfare Officers Workshop takes this to another level to give Welfare Officers a greater understanding of their role and how to do this to the best of their abilities, helping to develop the confidence required to deal with child protection issues at a local level, such as bullying and poor practice. Details of both these course can be find through the Coach Education Courses section of this website click here.

In addition to this, we will continue to use this section of the website to communicate with the entire county any developments or initiatives that target the Safeguarding of Children and Young Persons in football.