Safeguarding at Ballon Dor (Open Age Teams)

We provide a safe and inclusive environment for all players, regardless of age. As an open-age club with players under 18, we take specific steps to ensure their well-being:

  • Dedicated Club Welfare Officer: We have appointed a designated Club Welfare Officer (Open Age Teams) to oversee safeguarding matters.
  • Clear Policies and Procedures: We fully embrace The FA's Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures. This policy outlines best practices for protecting young players. Additionally, we adhere to The FA's Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures. We proactively share all our Club Safeguarding Policies with our members, including players, club officials, and parents/carers of under-18 players.
  • Qualified Staff: All managers, coaches, and assistants for each team are registered on the FA's systems.
  • DBS Checks: We ensure that everyone who works directly with under-18 players has a current and up-to-date DBS check approved by the FA.
  • Ongoing Training: We encourage our team and club officials to participate in The FA's Player Welfare training program, which provides valuable skills and knowledge.
  • Reporting Concerns: We have clear procedures in place for reporting any safeguarding concerns. These procedures align with The FA's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, ensuring a prompt and appropriate response.

By following these measures, we create a safe and positive environment where all our players, including those under 18, can enjoy football and develop their skills with confidence.

Safeguarding for Open-Age Disability Teams

We are committed to extending the same high safeguarding standards to our open-age disability teams. Here's how we achieve this:

  • Dedicated Disability Teams CWO: In addition to the Club Welfare Officer (Open Age Teams), we will appoint a separate Club Welfare Officer (Disability Teams) specifically focused on the needs of our disabled players. This CWO will have completed The FA's Safeguarding Adults Course, ensuring they possess the necessary expertise.
  • Enhanced Safeguarding Measures: Teams and club officials working with our open-age disability teams will be required to comply with all the safeguarding measures outlined in points 1-6 (as mentioned previously). This includes adherence to The FA's Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures (if applicable), The FA's Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures, and completion of DBS checks.
  • Promoting Safeguarding Awareness: We strongly encourage all team and club officials involved with our disability teams to participate in The FA's Safeguarding Adults Course. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to identify and address potential safeguarding concerns.