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Safeguarding Children Policy

 

Southern Counties East Football League Safeguarding Children Policy

The Southern Counties East Football League recognises that safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult involved in the League.

1. Commitment to Safeguarding

The League acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person entrusted to its care and is committed to providing a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any football activity.

We subscribe to The Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.

2. Key Principles

The FA Safeguarding Children Policy is based on the following principles:

  • The welfare of the child is the paramount consideration.

  • All children have the right to protection from abuse, regardless of age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual orientation.

  • Suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

  • Working in partnership with other organisations, children, young people and their parents/carers is essential.

Every child should be able to take part in football in an enjoyable and safe environment, free from poor practice and abuse.

3. Responsibilities

The League has a duty to safeguard children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm, neglect and bullying.

The FA Child Protection Regulation applies to everyone in football, whether in a paid or voluntary role. This includes volunteers, match officials, coaches, helpers, club officials and medical staff.

4. Recruitment of Volunteers

We endorse and adopt The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines. This involves:

  • Developing a role profile

  • Requesting identification documents

  • Meeting and chatting with applicants (and interviewing where possible)

  • Requesting and following up with two references

  • Requiring an FA DBS Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate

All League members with direct access to children will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure. If concerns arise, guidance will be sought from The FA, who will make decisions in the best interests of children.

5. Club Safeguarding Policy

All member clubs must adopt The FA Safeguarding Children Policy. A copy must be displayed on their website and/or available at their home ground.

6. Team Personnel

All team management personnel (managers, assistants, coaches, physiotherapists) must be listed on the FA Whole Game System.

They must hold an in-date FA Player Welfare in Open Age Football qualification. Those working with under-18 players must also hold an in-date Enhanced DBS Certificate completed through The FA.

7. Children in Technical Areas

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted in team technical areas or changing rooms. If breached, the match official will stop the game until the child moves to the spectator area.

8. Whistleblowing

The League supports The FA’s Whistleblowing Policy. Concerns about a colleague can be reported by calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA’s Safeguarding Team, emailing safeguarding@TheFA.com, or contacting the Police, Children’s Services or NSPCC directly.

9. League Welfare Officer

The League has appointed a League Welfare Officer (LWO), trained in line with FA requirements.

The LWO is the first point of contact for concerns about the welfare of any child and liaises directly with the County FA Safeguarding Team. They also promote awareness of safeguarding and Respect across the League.

The LWO can be contacted at welfare@scefl.com. Full contact details are on the League website.

10. Bullying

Bullying is recognised as a form of abuse and is not acceptable in the League.

All players, parents and carers should feel able to report bullying. Incidents will be dealt with promptly, and serious cases may be referred to the County FA Safeguarding Team.

11. Respect Codes of Conduct

Respect codes of conduct for players, parents, spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented.

The League has clear actions for repeated or serious misconduct, and clubs are required to adopt the codes.

12. Reporting Concerns

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child, you must report your concerns.

  • Concerns should first be raised with the LWO.

  • Poor practice may be dealt with by the LWO or referred to the County FA.

  • More serious concerns (possible child abuse) will be referred to the County FA Safeguarding Team and, if necessary, to the Police or Children’s Services.

  • If a child needs immediate medical attention, emergency services must be contacted.

  • If the LWO is unavailable, contact the County FA directly, call the FA/NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000, or contact the Police/Children’s Services.

The FA Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures, available at www.TheFA.com/Footballsafe, provide full guidance and flowcharts.

13. Further Advice

Further advice on safeguarding can be obtained from:

 

This policy was adopted in January 2025 and will be reviewed annually. Next review: January 2026

Safeguarding Policy Download

SCEFL Safeguarding Children Policy

SCEFL Club Welfare Officers
(January 2025)

Bearsted – Stephen Sage – stephensage93@gmail.com
Bridon Ropes – Darren Smith – fixtures.bridonropes@mail.com
Chatham Town – Emma Hammell – emmyd1981@yahoo.co.uk
Corinthian FC – Susan Billings – corinthians@billingsgroup.co.uk
Cray Wanderers – Claire Jones – cwyfcsecretary@outlook.com
Croydon – Darren Arnold – darren.arnold65@yahoo.co.uk
Deal Town – Charles Smith – charles.smith@dealtownfc.co.uk
Erith & Belvedere – Peter Springett – peterspringett1984@hotmail.com
Erith Town – Peter Dale – secretary.erith.town@gmail.com
Faversham Strike Force – Michael Gavin – gavinml@sky.com
Faversham Town – Ashley Johnson – ash@agjmail.uk
FC Elmstead – Mark Randall – m.randall@sky.com
Fisher – James Maycock – jimmaycock@hotmail.com
Glebe – Luke Jefferies – glebefc.kylsecretary@gmail.com
Greenways – Luke Turner – lukedturner71@gmail.com
Halls AFC – Bradley Marshall  – brad@hallsafc.co.uk
Herne Bay – Samantha Surbey – samsurbey@sky.com
Hollands & Blair – Rosemarie Jones – rossejones38@gmail.com
Holmesdale – Ross Mitchell – mitchell1982@sky.com
Kennington – Iain Atkins – ipjatkins@aol.com
Kent United – Gary Watson – watson895@sky.com
Larkfield & New Hythe – John Michel – john.michel@sky.com
Lewisham Borough – Christopher Brown – chrisbrown10@btinternet.com
Lordswood AFC – Hayley Agnew – cass2010@virginmedia.com
Lydd Town – Lisa Prince – lisaprince249@gmail.com
Maidstone United – Clare Taylor – mufcglwelfare@gmail.com
Margate FC – Alan Anstice – secretary@margate-fc.com
Meridian VP – Bailey Oliver – baileyowenoliver@hotmail.co.uk
Punjab United – Karanvir Sanghera – karanvirsanghera4@gmail.com
Rochester United – Mark Wilson – spartans@rochesterunited.co.uk
Rusthall – Jacqueline Martin – jackiemartin23@hotmail.co.uk
SE Dons – Jordan Maynard – jmaynard5991@gmail.com
Sheppey Sports – Ben Brennan – brennanben0@gmail.com
Sheppey United – Eddy Mcentire – emcentire@live.co.uk
Snodland Town – Lee Battell – ljbattell@gmail.com
SC Thamesmead – Richard Leach – richardleach1979@gmail.com
Stansfeld – Stuart Garcia – stuartgarcia@hotmail.co.uk
Staplehurst Monarchs Utd – Amanda Jones/Charlotte Taylor – Cwo_monarchs@outlook.com
Sutton Athletic – Deren Ibrahim – Derenibrahim@hotmail.co.uk
Tooting Bec – Gavin Bolger – firststepfootball@sky.com
Tunbridge Wells – Carolyn Challingsworth – challingsworth@btinternet.com
Welling Town – Kevin Oakes – info@wellingtown.co.uk
Whitstable Town – Adam Knoupe  – knoupe@hotmail.com