Safeguarding & Child Protection

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 18th October 2026
Review Date: Annually
Approved By: Chairperson

 

1. Policy Statement

Wymondham Town United Football Club is committed to providing a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for children and young people.

The welfare of children is paramount. Every child has the right to participate in football free from abuse, bullying, discrimination and exploitation.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns must be acted upon promptly, regardless of the position or reputation of anyone involved.

The Club shall follow current FA safeguarding policies and requirements, Norfolk FA procedures and applicable statutory safeguarding guidance.

 

2. Purpose

This policy aims to:

  • Protect children from harm.

  • Promote safe participation in youth football.

  • Establish clear responsibilities.

  • Support safer recruitment and appropriate adult behaviour.

  • Explain how concerns must be reported.

  • Ensure children are listened to and supported.

 

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Coaches and Team Managers

  • Committee Members and Club Officers

  • Volunteers

  • Players

  • Parents, Guardians and Carers

  • Spectators and Visitors

  • Contractors working on behalf of the Club

It covers training, matches, events, Club-organised travel, changing areas and online activity connected with WTUFC.

A child is anyone under 18.

Concerns involving adults at risk shall also be taken seriously and referred through appropriate adult safeguarding procedures.

 

4. Safeguarding Principles

The Club shall:

  • Put children’s welfare first.

  • Listen to children and respect their views.

  • Provide equal protection without discrimination.

  • Recognise that some children face additional barriers to reporting harm.

  • Respond to concerns rather than waiting for proof.

  • Share relevant information appropriately to protect children.

  • Cooperate with football and statutory safeguarding authorities.

Children are not responsible for investigating concerns or protecting others from abuse.

 

5. Club Safeguarding Responsibilities

The Club shall appoint a suitably trained Club Welfare Officer who meets current FA requirements.

The Welfare Officer shall:

  • Provide an accessible reporting contact.

  • Coordinate safeguarding arrangements.

  • Maintain secure concern records.

  • Liaise with Norfolk FA.

  • Support required checks and training.

  • Promote awareness among players, families and volunteers.

The Committee shall provide support and oversight without obstructing referrals.

Club Welfare Officer: Shaun Peel
Welfare Email: welfare@wtufc.uk

These details shall be made available to players, families and volunteers.

 

6. Safer Recruitment

The Club shall assess suitability before appointing adults to roles involving children.

Arrangements shall include, as appropriate:

  • Clear role descriptions.

  • Applications and discussions about suitability.

  • Identity and reference checks.

  • FA-accepted, in-date DBS checks where required.

  • Required safeguarding training and qualifications.

  • Induction and agreement to relevant codes of conduct.

Required checks are mandatory for the relevant role, rather than optional.

Individuals must not undertake responsibilities requiring clearance before the necessary requirements are satisfied.

A DBS check does not replace ongoing supervision or attention to behaviour.

 

7. Expected Adult Behaviour

Adults shall:

  • Treat children respectfully.

  • Use positive, age-appropriate communication.

  • Maintain professional boundaries.

  • Apply rules fairly.

  • Avoid favouritism.

  • Respect privacy and personal space.

  • Explain necessary physical assistance and seek agreement where possible.

  • Report concerns about conduct promptly.

Adults must not use their role to seek personal, financial, emotional or sexual benefit from a child.

 

8. Abuse and Unacceptable Conduct

Concerns may involve:

  • Physical abuse.

  • Emotional abuse.

  • Sexual abuse.

  • Neglect.

  • Bullying and discriminatory abuse.

  • Grooming or exploitation.

  • Sexual harassment.

  • Inappropriate contact or communications.

Harm may be caused by an adult or another child, in person or online.

Behaviour between children must not be dismissed as an inevitable part of growing up. Both protective action and appropriate support may be needed.

 

9. Responding when a Child Speaks Up

Anyone receiving a disclosure shall:

  1. Listen calmly and take the child seriously.

  2. Reassure them that telling someone was the right thing to do.

  3. Explain that information may need to be shared to help keep them safe.

  4. Avoid leading questions or pressing for detail.

  5. Record what was said using the child’s own words where possible.

  6. Report promptly through the safeguarding route.

Do not promise secrecy, investigate the allegation or confront the person concerned.

Do not delay reporting while trying to gather evidence.

 

10. Reporting a Concern

If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent emergency assistance, call 999.

Otherwise, report concerns promptly to the Club Welfare Officer.

Contact Norfolk FA directly where:

  • The Welfare Officer is unavailable.

  • The concern involves the Welfare Officer or another senior Club figure.

  • A child may be at risk of harm.

  • An earlier report has not been addressed.

  • Independent advice is needed.

Norfolk FA Safeguarding Team

Email: Safeguarding@NorfolkFA.com
Telephone: 01603 704050, option 3
Reporting information: https://www.norfolkfa.com/safeguarding-and-welfare/how-to-report-a-safeguarding-concern

Concerns may also be reported directly to police or children’s social care. No one needs Club permission to make an external referral.

 

11. Allegations About Adults

The Club shall seek advice promptly from Norfolk FA and, where appropriate, statutory services about allegations involving adults working with children.

This includes consideration of referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer.

The adult concerned must not investigate the allegation or decide its outcome.

Temporary restrictions may be necessary to protect children while concerns are assessed. Such measures do not themselves establish guilt.

Parents shall normally be informed about concerns involving their child, unless doing so could increase risk or interfere with safeguarding enquiries. Appropriate advice shall be sought.

 

12. Online Safety

Club communications shall use approved, transparent arrangements appropriate to players’ ages.

Adults shall:

  • Follow current FA guidance on communication with under-18s.

  • Use parent or carer channels where appropriate.

  • Avoid secret, disappearing or inappropriate private communications.

  • Avoid personal social media relationships with children arising from their Club role.

  • Report concerning messages or contact.

Club groups shall have clear purposes and appropriate adult oversight.

 

13. Photography and Video

The Club shall:

  • Explain intended photography and publication arrangements.

  • Obtain appropriate permissions.

  • Respect children’s wishes and relevant restrictions.

  • Avoid unnecessary identifying information.

  • Respond promptly to concerns about images.

Photography, video recording and phone-camera use are prohibited in changing rooms and toilets.

Players must not be excluded from ordinary participation because optional promotional permission is withheld.

 

14. Changing Arrangements

Changing arrangements shall be assessed for privacy, supervision and individual needs.

Adults must not change or shower alongside children.

Adult entry into children’s changing areas shall be limited to necessary, agreed purposes. Where supervision is needed, appropriate checked adults shall be arranged to avoid isolated one-to-one situations.

Emergency assistance must not be delayed.

Where safe arrangements cannot be provided, alternatives such as arriving in playing kit shall be considered.

 

15. Supervision and One-to-One Situations

Activities shall have appropriate supervision based on age, needs, activity and current football guidance.

Avoidable isolated one-to-one situations between an adult and a child shall be prevented.

Necessary individual support should take place in an observable or otherwise appropriately safeguarded setting.

Children shall not be left unsupervised while awaiting collection.

 

16. Transport

Club-organised transport shall have agreed arrangements covering:

  • Parental permission.

  • Suitable drivers and vehicles.

  • Required insurance.

  • Seat belts and appropriate restraints.

  • Supervision.

  • Emergency contacts.

  • Collection and drop-off.

Adults should avoid travelling alone with a child outside an agreed, risk-assessed arrangement.

Any unavoidable emergency exception shall prioritise safety and be reported promptly.

 

17. Records and Information Sharing

Safeguarding records shall be accurate, dated and stored securely.

They shall distinguish factual observations, a person’s account and any opinion.

Access shall be restricted to those who need the information. Retention shall follow applicable safeguarding requirements.

Relevant information shall be shared lawfully with appropriate authorities. Data protection must not be used as a blanket reason to withhold information needed to protect a child.

 

18. WHISTLEBLOWING

Anyone concerned about unsafe practice or the handling of a safeguarding matter is encouraged to speak up.

They may contact Norfolk FA or appropriate statutory services directly.

No person shall face retaliation for raising an honest concern.

The Club shall not require concerns to remain internal or prioritise reputation over children’s welfare.

 

19. Training and Family Awareness

Required safeguarding training shall be completed and kept current for each relevant role.

Players and families shall receive clear information about:

  • Expected behaviour.

  • Welfare contacts.

  • How to report concerns.

  • Safe communication and collection arrangements.

Players shall be encouraged to speak to a trusted adult whenever something worries them.

 

20. Review

This policy shall be reviewed annually and following:

  • Significant incidents.

  • Changes in activities.

  • Updated FA or Norfolk FA requirements.

  • Relevant statutory guidance.

  • Identified shortcomings.

It shall be read alongside the Club’s Anti-Bullying Policy, codes of conduct, photography arrangements and Health & Safety Policy.

Approved by Wymondham Town United Football Club

Date of Approval: 18th October 2026
Version: 1.0

Every Child Matters. Every Concern Counts.

Together We Move. The Rebels.