GDS is determined to ensure all necessary steps are taken to safeguard and protect from harm those children and young people who participate in football at all levels.
Aim
The aims of The GDS Safeguarding Policy are to protect all children and young people who play football, enabling them to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment. The Club will demonstrate best practice in the area of safeguarding children and promote ethical values and behaviour throughout the Academy
The key principles underpinning this Policy are:
The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
Working in partnership with children and young people and their parents/carers is essential. Social Services Departments have a statutory responsibility to ensure the welfare of children and young people.
GDS Regulations on Safeguarding are:
Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes GDS to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
Upon receipt by GDS of:
Notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
Notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, social services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or
Any other information which causes GDS reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then GDS shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made GDS shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-
Whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
Whether the matters are of a serious nature;
The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of
GDS or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.
Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, GDS shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of GDS against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
Where a person is convicted or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of GDS and GDS shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific activity for such period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
For the purposes of these Regulations, GDS shall act through its committee or sub-committee thereof.
Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any club with which he is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.
Conclusion
GDS, through confirming this Policy Document, has indicated its determination to ensure that children and young people can participate in all forms of football activity, and do so with their safety being of paramount importance.
It is essential that this document is representative of a process of continual improvement in the area of Safeguarding within The Academy. It is for all adults engaged in football activities to promote good practice and procedures, whilst being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities towards the children and young people in their care.