Safeguarding Children

PLEDGE OF POSITIVITY

ENGLAND MANAGER, GARETH SOUTHGATE ADDS HIS NAME TO ‘PLEDGE OF POSITIVITY’

Gareth Southgate has added his name to ‘Pledge of Positivity’ which asks parents, coaches and spectators involved in U18s grassroots football to commit to creating a more positive environment at matches across the country.

The England manager appears in a video demonstrating directly to parents the importance of positivity from the sidelines and the impact a negative coach can have on the enjoyment of those playing the game.

And having made the pledge himself, Southgate is encouraging others to follow suite. The ‘Pledge of Positivity’ was launched in February this year, following a survey which found 88 per cent of over 1000 grassroots participants cite parents as a driver of disrespect in grassroots football.

Over 5000 grassroots coaches, parents and spectators followed England captains Steph Houghton and Harry Kane in making the pledge before the grassroots season came to a premature end in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Watch the video below:

Mike Hames

Chairman
Shropshire Junior Football League

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Shropshire Star feature after the ceremony

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We Only Do Positive is back for the 2019/20

After the success of last season’s campaign showing 86% positive on & off pitch Respect marks across youth and mini-soccer fixtures, it is important that we continue to raise awareness of this crucial message for another season.

To help, we have provided assets for you to download and share amongst your clubs from kick off to full-time.

(Please note it is quicker to download asset packs on computer with WiFI)

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Play your part
Create the right environment for your players, both on and off the pitch by promoting our code of conduct resources.

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Spread the positivity
We have updated our promotional resources for you to share throughout the season with your coaches and parents.

#WeOnlyDoPositive

It is the aim of the Shropshire Junior Football League (league) to ensure that every child or young person who plays football within this ‘league’ should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any footballing activity (including match officials).
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FA Respect Club Of The Year 2018
Awarded to Prees Juniors Football Club

Recognised for stressing the importance of team spirit, integrity, fairness and enjoyment above an over-arching desire to win at all costs. Prees Juniors have actively supported players and coaches in embedding the values of Respect in everything that they do. Holding respect at the core of the club, it is evident to see the impact both in terms of football opportunities and engagement with the local community. Press Junior were also recognised as Joint winners of the prestigious FA Community Club  Award, shared with Shrewsbury Juniors FC,  for their excellent work in providing community football for up to 300 boys and girls.

Photo courtesy of Yarrington Limited.

Best Inclusive Project The Year (Runners Up) 2018 awarded to SJFL

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Shropshire Junior League
Kick It Out (Lets kick racism out of football). SJFL promoted Kick It Out Campaign Day held at the Shrewsbury Sports Village as part of the Shropshire Junior Football League’s Futsal Respect Festival, in partnership with the Georgia Williams Trust, Shropshire FA Youth Council, Shropshire Football Association and Sportsjam. It was a great opportunity to promote and raise awareness of the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign and was a fantastic success with over 100 players, managers / coaches and supporters uniting together in this event. The Kick it Out Campaign aims to deliver the message of inclusion and anti–discrimination within the football, educational and community sectors encouraging inclusive practiced and work for positive change. Shropshire FA Youth Council were delighted to partner the Shropshire Junior Football League and Georgia Williams Trust to support the delivery of their Kick It Out. Players also received badges, arm bands, wrist bands and other promotion material as a reminder of the day and the importance of Kick It Out.

Photo courtesy of Yarrington Limited.

All adults associated with this ‘league’ are to safeguard the welfare of all players and where possible protect them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and from neglect and bullying.
In striving to attain this ‘The League’s’ aims are as follows:
  • To ensure that the child’s welfare is always considered as paramount.
  • All young people involved in football have a right to be protected from abuse and harm regardless of their sporting ability, age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
  • The League will treat all suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice seriously and will respond swiftly and appropriately.
  • To ensure that all member clubs appoint a Club Welfare Officer.
  •  To encourage all member clubs to attain FA Charter Standard status.
  •  To actively encourage people to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by the
    FA in the area of Safeguarding Children and best practice.
  •  To provide a structured network of support to its membership if and when required in areas
    relating to Safeguarding Children issues.
  •  To develop pro-active and positive ethics to support the above aims.

Jan Butler
League Welfare Officer
The Shropshire Junior Football League
Email: sjflwefareofficer@btinternet.com

You can download a PDF version of the Child Protection Policy by clicking here.

Club Welfare Officers

Key Roll of a Welfare Officer

Code of Conduct for Volunteer Welfare Officers

Welfare Statement

For any queries regarding Safeguarding Children, please follow the links below and/or  contact anyone of the Welfare Officers listed further down the page:

The Football Association Child Protection Procedures establishes the Football’s Association’s Position, role and responsibilities and together with the Procedures Handbook clarifies what is expected of other organisations (Shropshire Junior Football League) and Individuals (all registered clubs and their members) involved in football. The policy clearly highlights the importance placed by the Football Association on the protection and safeguarding of children and young people who participate in football at all levels. All affiliated member clubs and their registered officers and members must comply with the SJFL Safeguarding constitution for affiliation to the competition.

Equality Standards – Equality and Diversity

FA Rules and Governance – Safeguarding Reporting Concerns

Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Safeguarding Best Practice Policy and Procedures

Appointing a club Welfare Officer

Club Welfare Officer roles and responsibilities

Code of conduct for club Welfare Officers

Club Welfare Office Safeguarding Checklist

Respect code of conduct

FA anti bullying

Know Your Right’s for U16/17s

Racism Protocol

Useful links:

Posters

Guide for captains

Youth club guide

The Ultimate Parent Guide for Protecting Your Child on the Internet

www.vpnmentor.com/blog/the-ultimate-parent-guide-for-child-internet/

The Right People
Responsible Recruitment procedures will help to screen out those people who are not suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. To make sure you are ‘getting the right people involved’ refer to The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines resource document here.

Shropshire Junior League Code of Conduct 

SJFL Respect Code 

All SJFL teams must appoint a match-day team Respect Marshall in accordance with guidelines for FA CS Respect Leagues. Please follow the links below to the rolls and responsibilities  of Respect Marshalls

FA Respect Codes – Awaiting new link

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN. LOCAL RULE. 25
All teams must be supervised by TWO responsible adults who are members of the club & both of whom holds a valid CRC & has completed the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop within the previous 3-year period. Both manager & assistant shall have completed the FA Emeregency Aid within the previous 3-year period. At least one of the named adults should hold a FA Level One Coaching Badge. All teams must carry adequate First Aid kits at all training sessions & fixtures. The use of freeze spray or pain-killer sprays is forbidden. The use of a bucket & sponge is forbidden. All named managers, coaches & assistants must be showing on WGS Safeguarding. Clubs failing to provide responsible supervision & comply with the Competition shall be liable to be fined as per Fine Tariff

Welfare Officers – contact list:

Designated Safeguarding Officer
Victoria Vespa
The Shropshire FA Office, The Greenhous Meadow, Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ST
Telephone: 01743 362769 Option 4 / 07918764766
Email: Victoria.Vespa@shropshirefa.com

Shropshire Junior Football League – Youth Welfare Officer
Jan Butler
2 The Glebelands, Myddle, nr Shrewsbury, SY4 3RU
Mobile: 07984 549304
Email: sjflwelfareofficer@btinternet.com

Shropshire Junior Football League – Assistant Welfare Officer
Becky Reid
Mobile: 07528926171
Email: sjflasstwelfare.sec@outlook.com

The FA Safeguarding Department
Email: safeguarding@thefa.com
Website for all info & downloads www.TheFA.com/safeguarding

The FA Child Protection Department
Wembley, London, HA9 0WS
Telephone: 0844 980 8200
Email: goal@thefa.com
Website: www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding

The FA/NSPCC Helpline
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Deaf Users Textphone: 0800 056 0566
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Goal Resources and Media Enquiries
The Media Group, 3 Wilford Business Park, Ruddington Lane, Nottingham, NG11 7EP
Telephone: 0115 969 4600
Email: goal@themediagroup.tv

FAIRPLAY IN FOOTBALL:

Means that everyone connected with football

  • Shows understanding of and respect for the Laws of the Game.
  • Supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive way.
  • Behaves on and off the field of play in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be they players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results.

MISCONDUCT & VERBAL ABUSE: 

All players, Club Officials and Spectators are reminded that the use of foul and/or abusive language, racial chants and/or remarks are considered to be conduct liable to bring the game into disrepute and the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken when any such instances are brought to the attention of The League and the County Association.

Please help to ensure that our games are not marred by such behaviour.

RESPECT MARSHALLS (RMs):
It is a mandated requirement that all SJFL clubs MUST appoint match-day team Respect Marshalls for all ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ fixtures. In NOT doing so your club/teram will be in breach of the league’s codes of conducts and liable for charge under guidelines for FA CS Respect Leagues. Implementation of RMs will assist match officials in incidents or issues that may arise on match days however, ALL matters of misconduct WILL be reported to the County FA by the match official as/if required.
Author: SJFL Special Committee (Disciplinary).
All SJFL teams must appoint a match-day team Respect Marshall in accordance with guidelines for FA CS Respect Leagues. Please follow the links below to the rolls and responsibilities  of Respect Marshalls

Reporting a concern about a child is everyone’s responsibility – here’s how you do it

I am writing to ask for your help today in sharing some important information about safeguarding children.

As a match official you are in a unique position to use your networks help the game spread vital messaging about keeping children safe. We are confident in the breadth of work being undertaken in this field across the country but are never complacent.

Please ensure that you are aware of the specific helpline we have commissioned the NSPCC to set up to help encourage more people to come forward. The number is 0800 023 2642.

Thank you

Greg Clarke
Chairman
The FA

Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult towards a child or young person under 18 years of age in football, is required to refer it to The FA Safeguarding team. The team is staffed by professionals who are experienced in dealing with these concerns.

Referring a concern can be done via your club, league or County FA – all will have a designated safeguarding officer (DSO). Alternatively, you can email us directly via safeguarding@thefa.com.

If the matter is urgent and you cannot contact your club or County FA designated safeguarding officer, you can call The NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 08001111 – or if it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the police or children’s social care in your area. If you are concerned that someone may be behaving inappropriately or seeking to groom a child in an online environment, then please use the CEOP reporting button that will take you directly to the team at the National Crime Agency, as well as informing your County FA or The FA via safeguarding@thefa.com

We want you to feel confident in football and to know that your child will have fun and be safe.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Non-action is not an option.

Mike Hames
Chairman
SJFL