The Club – Rusthall F.C have agreed to adopt the F A Child protection policy.

The key principles underpinning this Policy are that:

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. The Football Association is committed to working together with Social Services Departments and local Area Child Protection Committees (ACPC) in accordance with their procedures.

Aims

The aims of The F.A. Child Protection Policy are:

To develop a positive and pro-active position in order to best protect all children and young people who play football, enabling them to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.

To deliver quality assured child protection training and build a network of tutors to facilitate this delivery, in conjunction with, and supported by, the NSPCC.

To demonstrate best practice in the area of child protection.

To promote ethics and high standards throughout football.

The Policy

The Football Association’s Regulations on child protection are defined in The F.A. Handbook.

1. 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.

2. 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 The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.

3. Upon receipt by The Association or Rusthall FC of:

3.1 notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or

3.2 notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, social services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or

3.3 any other information which causes The Association or Rusthall F C reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The Association or Rusthall F C shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The Association or Rusthall F C shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-

4.1 whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;

4.2 whether the matters are of a serious nature;

4.3 whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by The Association, Rusthall F C or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded.

5. 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 The Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.

6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.

7. 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 The Association or Rusthall F C Club rules. The Association or the club shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific football for such period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

8. For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any committee or sub-committee thereof, including the Board.

9. 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

The Football Association, through confirming this Policy Document, and Rusthall F C through its adoption of this policy 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 child protection within football. 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.
Revised October 2010.