Welfare officer information & reporting Policy
NORTON ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB
WELFARE OFFICER INFORMATION & REPORTING POLICY
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 1 July 2026
Review Date: Annually
Approved By: Board of Directors
1. PURPOSE
Norton Athletic Football Club is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment for all players, volunteers, coaches, parents and visitors.
The Welfare Officer acts as the Club’s primary safeguarding contact and is responsible for ensuring that concerns relating to the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults are handled appropriately.
The purpose of this policy is to explain:
The role of the Welfare Officer.
How concerns can be reported.
What happens after a concern is raised.
How the Club supports safeguarding.
2. OUR COMMITMENT
The welfare of every participant is the Club’s highest priority.
The Club is committed to:
Providing a safe football environment.
Protecting children and vulnerable adults.
Promoting inclusion and respect.
Responding appropriately to concerns.
Supporting players, parents and volunteers.
No concern is too small to raise.
3. CLUB WELFARE OFFICER
The Welfare Officer is responsible for:
Acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
Supporting players, parents and volunteers.
Maintaining safeguarding records.
Liaising with Norfolk County FA where required.
Supporting safeguarding awareness throughout the Club.
Assisting with safeguarding training requirements.
The Welfare Officer operates independently from football team selection and football management decisions.
4. CONTACT DETAILS
Club Welfare Officer
Name:
[To Be Inserted]
Email:
[To Be Inserted]
Telephone:
[To Be Inserted]
Alternative Contact
Chairman:
[To Be Inserted]
Email:
[To Be Inserted]
5. WHEN SHOULD A CONCERN BE REPORTED?
Concerns should be reported if you witness, experience or become aware of:
Bullying
Harassment
Discrimination
Unsafe behaviour
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Online abuse
Inappropriate conduct by adults
Welfare concerns affecting a player
Behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe
If you are unsure whether something should be reported, please report it.
The Welfare Officer will determine the appropriate course of action.
6. HOW TO REPORT A CONCERN
Concerns can be raised:
In person
By telephone
By email
In writing
Reports should include where possible:
What happened
Who was involved
When it occurred
Where it occurred
Any witnesses
It is understood that not all information may be available.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Club will treat all reports sensitively.
Information will only be shared where necessary to:
Protect individuals.
Comply with safeguarding requirements.
Meet legal obligations.
Enable proper investigation.
Complete confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed where safety concerns exist.
8. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A REPORT IS MADE?
The Welfare Officer will:
Record the concern.
Assess the information provided.
Determine whether immediate action is required.
Seek guidance from Norfolk County FA where appropriate.
Refer matters to relevant authorities if necessary.
Keep appropriate records.
The Club will not ignore safeguarding concerns.
9. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
If somebody is at immediate risk of harm:
Call 999 immediately.
Then notify:
Club Welfare Officer
Chairman
Norfolk County FA Welfare Team
The safety of the individual must always come first.
10. REPORTING OUTSIDE THE CLUB
Individuals may also report concerns directly to:
Norfolk County Football Association
The Football Association
Children’s Services
The Police
NSPCC
The Club fully supports the right of individuals to report concerns externally.
11. PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION
The Club encourages individuals to raise genuine concerns.
No player, parent, volunteer or member shall be disadvantaged, victimised or treated unfairly for reporting a safeguarding concern in good faith.
Retaliation against whistleblowers may result in disciplinary action.
12. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Parents and guardians are encouraged to:
Speak openly with the Welfare Officer.
Raise concerns early.
Support safeguarding procedures.
Maintain up-to-date contact details.
Promote positive behaviour.
The Club values the role parents play in safeguarding.
13. YOUNG PEOPLE
Players are encouraged to:
Speak to a trusted adult.
Speak to a coach.
Speak to the Welfare Officer.
Report concerns.
Support teammates.
No player should feel afraid to ask for help.
14. REVIEW
This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.
The policy may also be reviewed following:
Safeguarding incidents.
Changes in FA guidance.
Changes in legislation.
Recommendations from Norfolk County FA.
Approved by Norton Athletic Football Club
Version 1.0
Effective from 1 July 2026
Review Date: Annually
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