Safeguarding children
Safeguarding is one of the most crucial factors we take into account to ensure that every young person is protected. In order to maintain the appropriate level of responsibility for each and every member of our academy, we, therefore, made sure to adhere to the strict guidelines established by the FA.
Safeguarding awareness
We ensure that every child and young person is protected from all forms of bullying, abuse, and neglect and we will make sure that none will either be tolerated.
Ultimately, we take this action because we think every child should have the opportunity to play football in a fun but secure atmosphere so they can reach their full potential meanwhile being shielded from unfair treatment and abuse. We also understand that each adult involved in the academy must bear responsibility for this.
All academy participants, paid or unpaid, must comply with these safety guidelines as well as the FA rulebook. This must be followed regardless of whether you are a member of the medical staff or a football coach, these regulations are applied to all positions.
Safeguarding responsibilities
We will be dedicated to making sure that each young person's welfare and responsibility are taken into consideration when creating a safe environment for all young members to endorse. Therefore, our academy is and will be entrusted with the safety and security of every young person involved in the football practices of this academy.
Anyone who participates in any football-related activity at Kent Elite Scouting Academy and is under the age of 18 is considered a child or young person by the academy.
We also adhere to the policy and procedures stated in The Football Association (The FA) Safeguarding Children document.
Key principles that are recognized by the FA Safeguarding Children’s Policy:
1. The welfare of the child is and will always come first in all situations.
2. No matter their age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability, or disability, all young people have the right to be safeguarded from abuse.
3. Any allegations of misconduct that are brought to the club's attention will be taken seriously and will get a prompt, suitable response in an appropriate manner.
4. Collaboration with other organizations, kids, teens, and their parents or guardians is crucial. We understand that every child who plays football at our academy should be able to do so in a fun and secure environment where they will be protected from poor practice and abuse.
The Football Association will be consulted for advice if there are any questions about a person who is involved with or has been approached to join Kent Elite Scouting Academy. All decisions will be taken in line with the law and in the best interests of children and young people, and the FA will take into account the relevance and significance of the material collected through the CRC Process.
As part of the FA regulations, the FA strictly prohibits anyone with a criminal past from encountering or having the chance to influence decisions about policies or practices relating to the children and young people in our academy. Continuing this, this is done to limit the potential of "grooming" in football and to prevent direct sexual or physical injury to children.
Safeguarding reporting
Any adult or minor who has concerns about an adult in a position of trust in football may "whistle blow" by contacting The FA Safeguarding Team at 0800 169 1863 or The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ.
You can report concerns by emailing Safegaurding@TheFA.com, or getting in touch with Children's Social Services or the NSPCC. Everyone in the organization should be aware of and comfortable with The FA's ‘Whistle Blower Policy’ which should be used if necessary. As an academy, we adopt the Whistle Blowing Policy.
We have a Club Welfare Officer who has completed the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop per The FA's guidelines for such a position. The position holder will participate in Welfare Officer Training that is offered by the FA and/or County FA. If there are any concerns about the welfare of any child or young person, the Club Welfare Officer should be the first person that the academy member contacts.
The Club Welfare Officer will have direct communication with Conor McBrearty, the London County FA's Welfare Officer, and will be knowledgeable of the processes for reporting any concerns.
They will also take an active part in raising academy members' knowledge of respect, bad behaviour, and abuse. Bullying is a classification of a form of abuse identified by the FA. At our academy, bullying of any type is not permitted. Every athlete, as well as their parents or guardians, should be informed about occurrences of bullying and how they will be handled promptly. In severe situations, incidents may be required to be reported to the Club Welfare Officer and the CFA Welfare Officer may be called.