Child Protection Policy

Please note that coaches may be asked to undertake Police vetting procedures in line with this policy and in order to protect our players.

1. West Coast Rangers FC acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We strive to ensure a child’s protection with respect to best practice, policy and procedures.

2. The key principles of West Coast Rangers FC’s child protection policy are that:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents or carers is essential.
• We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.

West Coast Rangers FC recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

3. West Coast Rangers FC has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that child protection applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This includes those who are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

4. We endorse and adopt best practice for child protection and for recruiting volunteers and may:

• Develop a role profile
• Request identification documents
• As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible conduct interviews before appointing
• Request and follow up with two references before appointing
• Require a recognised Police Check where appropriate

All current Football Club members with direct access to children and young people may be required to complete a recognise Police Check. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of the Football Club guidance will be sought from appropriate sources. It is noted and accepted all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.

It is accepted that West Coast Rangers FC aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

5. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting a Member of the Board.

6. We acknowledge bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all players, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to a member of the Board.

7. Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by West Coast Rangers FC. In order to validate these codes of conduct the club has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented in more serious circumstances. All prospective members can have access to these codes.