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Est. 1880 · Bishops Castle, Shropshire
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Bishops Castle Town Football Club

Safeguarding – The FA

Safeguarding Children Policy

In line with The Football Association (The FA) & Shropshire FA

1. Introduction

Approximately four million children and young people are involved in football across England. For the vast majority, football provides a positive, enjoyable and memorable experience that often leads to lifelong involvement in the game.

However, Bishops Castle Town Football Club recognises that this is not always the case. As such, affiliated football remains committed to:

  • Raising awareness of safeguarding
  • Supporting education and training across the game
  • Challenging inappropriate behaviour
  • Promoting and embedding best practice at all levels

The welfare of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do.

2. Safeguarding Policy Statement

Every child or young person, defined as anyone under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to do so in a safe, enjoyable and supportive environment, free from abuse or harm.

Safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone involved in football.

Bishops Castle Town Football Club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by:

  • Protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm
  • Protecting them from neglect and bullying
  • Following FA and Shropshire FA safeguarding rules, policies and procedures

This policy applies to all grassroots football activity, including training, matches, travel, tours, social events and online activity.

3. Key Safeguarding Principles

  • The welfare of the child is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
  • All children and young people have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, culture or sexual orientation
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  • Working in partnership with parents/carers, children, statutory agencies and football authorities is essential

Affiliated football works in partnership with:

  • Police
  • Social Care Departments
  • Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCPs)

This ensures concerns can be investigated appropriately and children protected effectively.

4. Position of Trust

Football recognises that there are roles where adults have responsibility, authority and influence over children and young people.

Any inappropriate behaviour, including sexual relationships with young people aged 16 or 17, will be treated as a serious breach of trust, referred to The FA Safeguarding Team, and may be referred to statutory agencies.

5. Definitions of Abuse and Poor Practice

Safeguarding concerns may fall into one or more of the following categories:

Abuse

  • Physical abuse – where a child is physically harmed or injured
  • Neglect – where a child’s basic needs are not met or they are left unsupervised
  • Sexual abuse – where a child is exploited for sexual gratification
  • Emotional abuse – persistent criticism, rejection or unrealistic expectations
  • Bullying – persistent or repeated hostile or intimidating behaviour

Poor Practice

Poor practice occurs when standards fall short and the welfare of children is compromised, even if abuse has not occurred.

Hazing

Hazing is any behaviour that recklessly or intentionally endangers a child’s physical, mental or emotional wellbeing and is not tolerated in football.

6. Affiliated Football’s Safeguarding Approach

Affiliated football adopts a three‑part approach to safeguarding:

1) Getting the Right People Involved

All clubs must follow safer recruitment procedures, including:

  • Clear role profiles
  • Identity checks
  • Interviews or meetings
  • Two references where required
  • DBS criminal records checks in line with FA policy
  • Appropriate induction and training

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is only one part of a robust recruitment process.

2) Creating a Safe Environment

Bishops Castle Town FC will maintain clear, accessible policies covering:

  • Safeguarding
  • Reporting abuse and poor practice
  • Recruitment
  • Whistle‑blowing
  • Anti‑bullying
  • Equality
  • Social media
  • Codes of conduct
  • Complaints and discipline
  • Health and safety

The Club ensures safeguarding training is completed at appropriate levels and updated as required.

We also recognise the importance of managing safeguarding risks linked to:

  • Online activity
  • Social media
  • Messaging apps and digital communication

3) Promoting Clear Systems

Bishops Castle Town FC has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), also known as the Club Welfare Officer, who:

  • Acts as first point of contact for concerns
  • Is appropriately recruited, trained and supported
  • Refers concerns to statutory agencies and The FA where required

Failing to act on safeguarding concerns is never an option.

7. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

If you are worried about a child:

  1. Report concerns immediately to the Club Safeguarding Officer
  2. If a child is in immediate danger, contact:
    • Police (999)
    • Emergency services
  3. Concerns will be:
    • Recorded
    • Referred appropriately
    • Managed in line with FA and local authority procedures

All allegations involving someone in football will be reported to The FA Safeguarding Team.

8. Referrals Within Affiliated Football

Concerns are reported using an Affiliated Football Referral Form and shared with:

  • The FA Safeguarding Team, or
  • Shropshire FA Welfare Officer

High‑risk concerns may require immediate referral to Police or Social Care.

The FA Safeguarding Team provides updates throughout the lifecycle of a case until closure.

9. Dealing with Poor Practice

Poor practice concerns are managed at club or County FA level, unless escalation is required.

Examples include:

  • Inappropriate training practices
  • Ignoring abusive behaviour
  • Inappropriate social media use
  • Ignoring health & safety
  • Repeated breaches of Codes of Conduct

Three poor practice incidents involving the same individual require referral to The FA for oversight.

10. Criminal Records Checks

Bishops Castle Town FC follows FA safer recruitment and DBS rules, including:

  • Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s Barred List for eligible roles
  • Compliance with frequency and supervision thresholds
  • Use of DBS Update Service where applicable

DBS checks are not carried out on anyone under 16.

Failure to comply with DBS requirements may result in suspension from football.

11. Whistle‑Blowing

The Club supports The FA Whistle‑Blowing Policy.

Concerns may be raised directly to:

  • The FA Safeguarding Team – 0844 980 8200
  • Shropshire FA Welfare Officer

Whistle‑blowers will be supported and treated seriously.

12. Useful Contacts

13. Our Commitment

Bishops Castle Town Football Club is fully committed to:

  • Safeguarding children and young people
  • Promoting positive football environments
  • Ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.