Complaints Procedure
In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way or that the club policies, rules or code of conduct have been broken, they should follow the procedures below:-
- They should report the matter to the club secretary or any other member of the committee. The report should include:-
- Details of what, when and where the occurrence took place.
- Any witness statement and names.
- Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.
- Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made.
- A preference for a solution to the incident.
- The club’s management committee will sit for any hearings that ere requested.
- The club’s management committee will have the power to:-
- warn as to future conduct
- suspend from membership
- remove from membership
- any persons found to have broken the club’s policies or codes of conduct.
Policy Statement on Child Protection and Welfare
Download the Child Protection & Welfare Document
Eckington B.F.C., in conjunction with local football authorities and Social Services, want to make sure that all players and members are protected and kept safe from harm while they are with managers, coaches and officials in our organisation.
We do this by:-
- Making sure that all our club officials are carefully selected, vetted and trained
- Ensuring that details of any player’s illnesses and medication are available whenever club matches or activities are taking place
- Giving parents and players information about what our club’s aims and ambitions are and what they can expect from us
- Advising parents of what the club expects from them
- Letting parents and players know how to voice their concerns or complain if there is anything they are not happy about
- Appointing a child protection & welfare co-ordinator within the club
The club has prepared detailed good practice procedures, regarding child protection and welfare, that this club will adopt whilst children are in our care. This information is available within this website.
Equal Opportunities
Download the Equal Opportunities Document
Eckington B.F.C. is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority, to abide by and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of the Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.
All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically discrimination is prohibited by:
- Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourably than others.
- Expecting any individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirement(s) for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which are different from the requirements for others.
- Imposing on an individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example, this would include applying a condition which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that race or sex.
- Victimisation of an individual.
- Harassment of an individual, by virtue of discrimination.
- Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the Club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters, it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.
Eckington B.F.C. commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination.
The Football Club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting assistance will be given, wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.
Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against the Football Club’s policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.
Definitions of Child Abuse
Children may be abused by a parent, a sibling or other relative, a carer, an acquaintance or a stranger who may be an adult or a young person. The abuse maybe as a result of a deliberate act or of a failure on the part of a parent or carer to act or to provide proper care, or both. The abuse may take a number of forms including:
Neglect
Where adults fail to meet a child’s basic needs like food or warm clothing, fail or refuse to give children love, affection and attention. Children might also be constantly left alone or unsupervised. Neglect in a sport situation could include a coach not ensuring children were safe, exposing them to undue cold or to unnecessary risk of injury.
Physical Abuse
Where adults physically hurt or injure children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning and biting or by giving children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison. Attempted suffocation or drowning also comes within this category. In sports situations, physical abuse might occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body.
Sexual Abuse
Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child. The involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate social taboos of family roles.
Emotional Abuse
Persistent lack of love and affection, where a child may be constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the child very nervous and withdrawn. emotional abuse may also occur when there is constant overprotection (which prevents children from socialising), or there is neglect, physical or sexual abuse. Emotional abuse in sport might occur if children are subjected to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations consistently.
Sexual activity involving a child who has achieved sufficient understanding and intelligence to be capable of making up his or her own mind in the matter, while illegal, may not necessarily constitute sexual abuse as defined for the purposes of the guide. One example which could fall into this category is a sexual relationship between a 16 year old girl and her 18 year old boyfriend. The decision to initiate child protection action in such cases is a matter for professional judgement and each case should be considered individually. The criminal aspects of the case will of course be dealt with by the police.
Reporting Suspicions of Abuse
Everyone within Eckington B.F.C. both officials and parents, should be aware of the person within E.B.F.C. who should always be informed of any concerns about a child being abused. Details of the E.B.F.C. Child Protection Officer together with information regarding appropriate contacts outside of our organisation are listed below:-
For Confidential, informal consultation & advice contact either of the Child Protection Officers below:-
Age Groups Under 9, Under 10 and Under 11 (Male Teams)
Catherine Jones – 07568 457312 | Catherinejones89@yahoo.com
Age Groups: Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16 (Male Teams)
Helen Wilson – 07527 966675 | helenw1968@hotmail.com
Age Groups: ALL Eckington Belles Teams
Kerry Norton – 07766 073339 | kerrynorton@nhs.net
Sheffield Social Services
Website: Children’s social care services | Sheffield City Council
Tel: 01142 734855
South Yorkshire Police
Website: Safeguarding | South Yorkshire Police
Tel: 01142 202020
NSPCC
Website: NSPCC Helpline | NSPCC
Tel: 0800 800500
Information Required
In any cases where an allegation is made, or someone has concerns, a record should be made. The following details will be required by the Child Protection Officer:-
- Name of child
- Age
- Any special factors
- Parent’s name(s)
- Home address & telephone no.
- Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns or passing on those of somebody else?
- What has prompted the concerns?
- Record details of any specific concerns.
- Include dates & times etc.
- Any physical or behavioural signs or indirect signs??
- Has the child been spoken to?
- If so what was said?
- Have the parents been contacted?
- If so what was said?
- Record details of contact.
- Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser?
- Has anyone else been consulted?
- If so, record details.
Parental Responsibilities to Eckington B.F.C.
As a parent or guardian of a registered player with Eckington B.F.C. we would ask that you undertake the following responsibilities:-
We would expect you to:-
- Arrange transport to and from all matches and training sessions (or make arrangements with the team manager if difficulties arise).
- Advise the team manager or coach of any medical issues throughout the season.
- Arrange to let the manager or coach know if a player cannot attend a match or training session.
- Ensure that your child has full shin protection by wearing shin guards on every occasion when playing a match or training.
- Positively encourage your child to fulfil their potential
- Abide by all club rules.
- Raise any complaints or issues with your team manager as soon as they occur.
We would not expect you to:-
- Shout at or intimidate your child, or other children, or match officials during a match or training session.
