Our Commitment to Safeguarding your Child
The Football Association of Wales acknowledges there is an on-going need to protect our players and takes its responsibility to safeguarding children in football seriously.
We are committed to ensuring that all children who participate in football in Wales do so in a fun, safe and positive environment. The FAW believes that every adult has a legal and moral responsibility to protect children in football from abuse.
To ensure that safeguarding is embedded into our football culture, the FAW:
- Have implemented an FAW Safeguarding Policy, Practices & Procedures which all clubs and personnel affiliated to the FAW are required to adhere to.
- Work in partnership with agencies such as the Child Protection in Sports Unit to ensure our we meet the necessary safeguarding standards.
- Have implemented a safeguarding structure and safeguarding focal points at all levels of the game. It is a requirement for all clubs, Leagues and Area Associations to have a registered Safeguarding officer who has completed safeguarding training.
- Work in partnerships with agencies to ensure that information and training opportunities are available for everyone in Welsh football.
- Signpost to agencies who can provide specialist guidance and support.
- Developed a complaints procedure to enable clubs to deal with concerns regarding poor practice. Concerns can be escalated to Leagues, Area Associations and the FAW.
- Have implemented procedures to deal with high risk cases and liase with Police and Local Authorities to ensure measures are put in place.
- Developed Codes of Conducts for players, coaches, parents and referees.
- Provided best practice guidelines.
- Developed a safeguarding website to ensure all stakeholders have access to safeguarding information and requirements.
All Small-Sided and Junior Football Clubs are expected to:
- Have a registered Safeguarding Officer in place at all times who has completed Safeguarding Training and read over the FAW Safeguarding Policy and all safeguarding guidance.
- Meet accreditation requirements before they can be provided with clearance to operate.
- Follow the correct recruitment process, such as ensuring all volunteers are DBS checked, have the necessary training for their role, are registered on the COMET system.
- Implement Code of Conducts for their members.
- Educate members on best practice guidelines.
- Ensure there is a club complaints procedure in place.
- Deal with low level concerns such as poor practice.
- Inform the FAW of any high level concerns such as allegations of abuse.
- Ensure player welfare is paramount.