Safeguarding & Child Protection POlicy
NORTON ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB
SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 1 July 2026
Review Date: Annually
Approved By: Board of Directors
1. POLICY STATEMENT
Norton Athletic Football Club is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for all children, young people and adults at risk participating in football and club activities.
The welfare of children and vulnerable individuals is paramount.
The Club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and vulnerable adult involved in football and will take all reasonable steps to provide a safe environment in which everyone can participate and enjoy the game.
The Club adopts and supports:
Football Association Safeguarding Policies
Norfolk County Football Association Safeguarding Procedures
Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance
Relevant UK safeguarding legislation
2. PURPOSE
This policy aims to:
Protect children and vulnerable adults.
Promote safe football participation.
Provide guidance to volunteers and coaches.
Establish reporting procedures.
Ensure concerns are taken seriously.
Create a culture of safeguarding throughout the Club.
3. SCOPE
This policy applies to:
Players
Coaches
Managers
Volunteers
Directors
Committee Members
Parents and Guardians
Spectators
Contractors working on behalf of the Club
4. SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES
The Club believes that:
Every child has the right to enjoy football in a safe environment.
The welfare of children is paramount.
All children deserve equal protection regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or background.
All safeguarding concerns should be taken seriously.
Everyone has a responsibility to report concerns.
5. CLUB SAFEGUARDING STRUCTURE
The Club shall appoint a Welfare Officer.
The Welfare Officer shall:
Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
Maintain safeguarding records.
Liaise with Norfolk County FA.
Support players, parents and volunteers.
Promote safeguarding awareness.
The Club shall publish Welfare Officer contact details on the website and within Club facilities.
6. RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS
The Club shall take reasonable steps to ensure individuals working with children are suitable.
This may include:
References
Interviews
DBS checks
Safeguarding training
FA qualifications
The Club reserves the right to refuse appointments where concerns exist.
7. CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
All adults involved in football shall:
Treat children with respect.
Lead by example.
Promote fair play.
Avoid inappropriate language.
Avoid bullying or intimidation.
Encourage positive behaviour.
Respect safeguarding procedures.
8. UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
The following behaviours are unacceptable:
Bullying
Harassment
Discrimination
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Intimidation
Threatening behaviour
Inappropriate communications
The Club operates a zero-tolerance approach.
9. PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
Photography and video may be used to promote Club activities.
The Club will:
Obtain appropriate permissions where required.
Use images responsibly.
Avoid identifying children unnecessarily.
Remove images where concerns are raised.
Parents may request removal of images involving their child.
10. ONLINE SAFETY
The Club recognises the importance of online safety.
Coaches, volunteers and officials should:
Communicate professionally.
Use official communication channels where possible.
Avoid inappropriate messaging.
Respect privacy.
The Club’s social media channels shall be monitored appropriately.
11. CHANGING ROOM GUIDANCE
The Club shall seek to provide a safe environment within changing facilities.
Adults should avoid entering youth changing rooms unless necessary.
Where supervision is required:
More than one adult should be present where possible.
Safeguarding considerations should always apply.
Respect for privacy must be maintained.
12. TRANSPORTATION
The Club may organise transport for matches and events.
Parents remain responsible for ensuring suitable travel arrangements unless specifically agreed otherwise.
The Club shall take reasonable steps to ensure transportation arrangements are safe and appropriate.
13. REPORTING A CONCERN
Any safeguarding concern should be reported immediately.
Concerns may be reported to:
Club Welfare Officer
Chairman
Norfolk County FA Welfare Team
The Police
Children’s Services
Where there is immediate risk of harm, emergency services should be contacted without delay.
14. WHISTLEBLOWING
Individuals are encouraged to report concerns without fear of retaliation.
The Club will treat reports seriously and confidentially where possible.
No individual shall be disadvantaged for raising genuine safeguarding concerns.
15. RECORD KEEPING
The Welfare Officer shall maintain appropriate records of:
Safeguarding concerns
Complaints
Incidents
Actions taken
Records shall be stored securely.
16. EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
Safeguarding applies equally to all participants.
The Club is committed to providing an inclusive environment free from discrimination.
Safeguarding procedures shall apply regardless of:
Age
Gender
Disability
Race
Religion
Sexual orientation
Background
17. TRAINING
The Club shall encourage relevant safeguarding training for:
Coaches
Managers
Volunteers
Committee Members
The Club shall maintain awareness of current safeguarding requirements.
18. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS
Parents and guardians should:
Support safeguarding measures.
Report concerns promptly.
Respect coaches and volunteers.
Encourage positive behaviour.
Ensure emergency contact information remains up to date.
19. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PLAYERS
Players should:
Respect others.
Report concerns.
Follow Club rules.
Support teammates.
Help create a safe environment.
20. REVIEW
This policy shall be reviewed annually or sooner if required by:
The Football Association
Norfolk County Football Association
Changes in legislation
Significant safeguarding incidents
Approved by Norton Athletic Football Club
Version 1.0
Effective from 1 July 2026
Review Date: Annually