Welcome
Welcome to the August edition of ‘On The Ball’, the AFA’s safeguarding newsletter
Previously this newsletter was sent out to all the club welfare officers for our youth clubs however due to the recent change in strategy the AFA will not be running youth football from season 2019/2020.
The AFA will continue to affiliate adult and open age football, and this newsletter will now be sent out monthly to all open-aged clubs.
The purpose of this newsletter is to be able to provide you with all the information you need in order to ensure you are safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk within AFA football.
Who’s who?
If you have a safeguarding concern please do not hesitate to contact the AFA’s Designated Safeguarding Officer. If you are unable to get hold of her please contact any of the other members of AFA staff below:
Sarah Robinson - Designated Safeguarding Officer
Phone: 020 8733 2613 Ext: 2 / 07904 649876
Email: safeguarding@amateur-fa.com
Jason Kilby – Senior Safeguarding Lead
Email: Jason.kilby@amateur-fa.com
Phone: 020 8 8733 2613 Ext: 9
Samantha Brown – Deputy DSO
Email: Samantha.brown@amateur-fa.com
Phone: 020 8 8733 2613 Ext: 4
Deryll David – Deputy DSO
Email: Deryll.david@amateur-fa.com
Phone: 020 8 8733 2613 Ext: 1
|
|
WHY IS SAFEGUARDING SO IMPORTANT?
Following Andy Woodward’s disclosure of abuse in November 2016, safeguarding within football has quite rightly received a significantly higher profile. Whilst it is positive that more is now being done to stop abuse we must recognise that it does still happen today within football.
It is our responsibility as adults to do everything we can to prevent this. By putting in place policies and procedures, listening to the views of children in football and embedding safeguarding within the AFA structure, we as a collective can and will prevent abuse from happening.
Remember, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility; no action is not an option!
HOW TO REPORT A CONCERN
If you have a safeguarding concern you can report this via one of the following options:
OPEN-AGED CLUBS
The AFA has developed some guidance for clubs who have 16 and 17-year-olds playing for them. Please take the time to have a look at the guidance below:
If you would like a PDF version sent to you directly please email safeguarding@amateur-fa.com.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
The AFA provides FA courses regarding safeguarding children in football.
Awarded by The FA, this short 3-hour course provides club representatives, coaches, referees and volunteers with an awareness of best practice in safeguarding children in football. The course supports The FA’s strategic goal to raise standards across the game.
If you would like your coaches/managers to complete this course they can be book via the AFA’s website via the following link:
Additionally, there is free online training for committee members available which can be accessed here: https://learning.thefa.com/enrol/index.php?id=308
The AFA will be putting on some CPD events throughout the season and we will contact you with information nearer the time.
SAFEGUARDING DOCUMENTATION
If you would like to more information regarding safeguarding within your club please access The FA’s website via the following link where you can find loads of useful documents and templates.
http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding
SAFEGUARDING SURVEY
The AFA really values your feedback and we would appreciate it if you would take a few moments of your time to fill in the survey below in relation to safeguarding within your club. This will help us to plan for events and ensure we are providing you with the right support throughout the season.
https://forms.gle/SbXVsMHMSB5XDXd69
MENTAL HEALTH
Did you know approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year?
In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week and suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK.
On 4 August 2019 Heads Up was launched by The FA and Heads Together and spearheaded by The Duke of Cambridge. Visible across The FA’s biggest assets and moments of the season, the campaign will strive to raise awareness, spark conversation and signpost support for those in need, with a 24/7 text support service established. For more information visit: http://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/heads-up
|
|
If you or someone you know needs help and support please contact one of the following organisations:
Samaritans on 116 123 – They’re available to offer support 24/7 every single day of the year.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) 0800 58 58 58 – A service specifically for men.
If you need immediate support text HeadsUp to 85258.
|
|
|
|
|
