1. INTRODUCTION

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment where every child and young person can enjoy football, develop with confidence and feel respected, valued and protected.

The welfare of children and young people is our highest priority and will always take precedence over footballing success, competition or individual interests.

This handbook explains how Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC delivers safeguarding in practice and should be read alongside The FA Safeguarding Policy, the Club Constitution, Governance Framework and supporting Club policies.

2. OUR COMMITMENT

GCFC is committed to ensuring that every child:

• Is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
• Feels safe, listened to and supported.
• Can enjoy football in a positive environment.
• Is protected from abuse, neglect, bullying and exploitation.
• Has the opportunity to develop regardless of ability, background or personal circumstances.

We believe safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and expect every volunteer, parent, player and visitor to contribute to a safe Club environment.

3. OUR SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES

At GCFC we believe:

• The welfare of every child is paramount.
• Every child has the right to feel safe.
• Every concern should be taken seriously.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
• Early reporting protects children.
• Respect and inclusion create safer environments.
• Football should always be a positive experience.

4. WHO THIS APPLIES TO

This handbook applies to everyone involved at GCFC, including:

• Players
• Coaches and Managers
• Committee Members
• Volunteers
• Match Officials
• Parents and Carers
• Spectators

Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children.

5. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Everyone at GCFC must:

• Put the welfare of children first.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Promote a safe and inclusive environment.
• Report safeguarding concerns immediately.
• Follow Club policies and Codes of Conduct.

Managers and Coaches must:

• Hold an appropriate FA accepted DBS.
• Maintain current FA Safeguarding training.
• Hold appropriate coaching qualifications.
• Understand this handbook.
• Create safe training and match environments.
• Report concerns immediately to the Club Welfare Officer.
• Managers and Coaches must never:
• Promise to keep a safeguarding concern secret.
• Investigate safeguarding concerns themselves.
• Delay reporting a safeguarding concern.
• Ignore concerns because they appear minor or unsubstantiated.

Parents and Carers should:

• Support the Club's Respect programme.
• Raise concerns promptly where appropriate.
• Promote positive behaviour.
• Help create a welcoming environment for all players.

6. CLUB WELFARE OFFICER

GCFC has a designated Club Welfare Officer (CWO) who is responsible for safeguarding within the Club.

The Club Welfare Officer will:

• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
• Support volunteers and families.
• Liaise with West Riding FA, The FA and statutory agencies.
• Maintain appropriate safeguarding records.
• Promote safeguarding awareness across the Club.

Email: welfare@gcfc.co.uk

7. RECOGNISING SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS

Safeguarding concerns may include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Bullying
• Online abuse
• Grooming
• Exploitation
• Poor practice by adults

You do not need proof to report a concern. If something does not feel right, report it.

8. REPORTING A CONCERN

If you have a concern about the welfare of a child or young person, always act. You do not need proof to report a concern, and it is always better to report a concern than ignore it.

What should I do if I have a concern?

1. Is the child in immediate danger?

➡ Yes – Call 999 immediately.

➡ No – Continue to Step 2.

2. Report the concern immediately to the Club Welfare Officer.

3. IF THE CLUB WELFARE OFFICER IS UNAVAILABLE, CONTACT

• West Riding FA Safeguarding Team
• The FA Safeguarding Team
• Children's Social Care
• NSPCC
• Police (where appropriate)

4. Record what you have seen, heard or been told as accurately as possible.

5. Do not investigate the concern yourself.

Never assume somebody else has reported a concern. Acting quickly helps protect children and young people.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY

Safeguarding concerns must always be treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.

Information should only be shared with those who need to know in order to protect a child or young person and fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities.

Managers, coaches, volunteers and committee members must not discuss safeguarding concerns with other players, parents, volunteers or members of the public unless authorised to do so by the Club Welfare Officer or the relevant safeguarding authority.

Confidentiality must never prevent appropriate information being shared where doing so is necessary to protect a child.

10. SAFER RECRUITMENT

All volunteers working with children will be recruited safely.

This includes:

• Identity checks
• Appropriate FA accepted DBS checks
• FA Safeguarding training
• Appropriate coaching qualifications where required
• Understanding of Club policies
• Appropriate induction

The Club reserves the right to refuse or withdraw volunteer appointments where safeguarding concerns exist.

11. CREATING A SAFE CLUB ENVIRONMENT

GCFC promotes a culture where:

• Children feel listened to.
• Volunteers feel supported.
• Parents feel welcomed.
• Concerns can be raised without fear.
• Respect is shown to everyone.
• Inclusion is promoted at all times.

Every adult at GCFC is responsible for creating a culture where children feel confident to speak up, knowing they will be listened to, taken seriously and supported.

Safeguarding is embedded within the way the Club operates every day

12. BULLYING

GCFC operates a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.

Bullying may be:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Verbal
• Racist
• Homophobic
• Online
• Discriminatory

All reports of bullying will be taken seriously and investigated appropriately

13. PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA

To protect children:

• No photography or filming is permitted in changing rooms, toilets or medical areas.
• Images will only be used in accordance with Club policy.
• Parents will be informed where photography is taking place.
• Appropriate consent will be obtained where required.
• Volunteers must follow the Club's Photography and Social Media Policies.

14. DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

Communication with children should always be appropriate, transparent and professional.

Managers and volunteers should:

• Use approved Club communication platforms wherever possible.
• Avoid private messaging children unless absolutely necessary and in line with Club procedures.
• Include parents or carers where appropriate.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times.

15. AWAY FIXTURES AND TRIPS

When organising away fixtures or trips, managers must:

• Ensure appropriate supervision.
• Carry emergency contact details.
• Have suitable first aid provision.
• Follow Club risk assessment procedures.
• Ensure children are safely returned to parents or carers.

16. WHISTLEBLOWING

GCFC encourages anyone with safeguarding concerns about the behaviour of an adult or volunteer to speak up.

Concerns may be raised with:

• Club Welfare Officer
• West Riding FA
• The FA
• NSPCC
• Police

Concerns raised in good faith will always be taken seriously.

17. RELATED DOCUMENTS

This handbook should be read alongside:

• Club Constitution
• Governance Framework
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Volunteer Recruitment, Induction & Management Procedure
• Code of Conduct
• Safeguarding Handbook (if you keep the "Related Documents" section, don't list the document itself)
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Handbook
• Data Protection Handbook
• Digital Communication & Social Media Handbook
• Respect & Conduct Procedure
• The FA Safeguarding Policy

18. OUR COMMITMENT

Safeguarding is more than a policy - it is the responsibility of every volunteer, parent, coach and committee member.

Together we will create a Club where every child feels safe, respected, included and supported, allowing them to Play, Develop, Progress and Belong with confidence.