Widmer End United Child Protection Policy

Our club recognises that young player's welfare is paramount and that all young players (under the age of 18 years for the purposes of this statement) whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse. Our club acknowledges and endorses the Football Association's Child Protection policy.

Our club has a Child Protection Officer, and this individual will make sure that the Child Protection Policy is communicated to club officials, managers, helpers and parents. The Child Protection Officer will also act as a point of contact for any issues over child protection.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Any bullying will be dealt with as a serious matter.

Our managers know that football is for everyone. Managers should tell parents and young players how teams are selected. For example, if weaker players are unlikely to be selected for matches then players and parents should be made aware that this is the manager's policy.

Our managers have a responsibility to the players to ensure: -
- Physical welfare - Players should not be made to play if they are carrying an injury and managers should avoid 'joining in' training session games as injuries could occur.
- Emotional welfare - Our managers should never ridicule, humiliate or belittle a play.

Our club will provide a safe environment and suitable equipment for young people to play football. It is the team manager's responsibility to check that goalposts are secure and safe.

During training and matches our managers will keep available the medical form for each player. Our club will make sure that every player has a completed medical form.

All managers and helpers involved, on a regular basis, with coaching will receive training on a coaching course that includes emergency aid. The police vetting procedure will be applied to all managers and helpers who work with young players.

With parental consent photographs or images are displayed on the WEUJFC web-site. Parents or guardians give or deny consent for their child's image to be used on the club's website when completing their child's annual membership form. Photographs and images will only be used for the purpose of promoting the club and youth football. Where a photograph or image of a child is used on the website we will not publish the name of the player or make any references between images and players names. Where appropriate we will endeavour to disguise the features of a child to hide their identity. This policy is in line with the The Football Association Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines For Use of Images of Children/Young People Under the Age of 18. Download this FA guide...