If you are worried about a child, it’s vital you report your concerns. Doing nothing is not an option. It’s also important you stay calm, and if any child is present, reassure them they are not to blame. But don’t make promises of confidentiality or outcome.
There are five ways to report a concern:
- To your club via the club Welfare Officer, Email: welfare@rugbytowngirlsfc.co.uk
- To Birmingham County FA’s Designated Safeguarding Officer: Safeguarding@Birminghamfa.com
- By emailing The FA Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@TheFA.com;
- If urgent and you cannot contact your club welfare officer or County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, you should call the NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000;
- If it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the Police or Children’s Social Care in your area.
If you are concerned that someone may be behaving inappropriately, or is seeking to groom a child in an online environment, then please use the CEOP reporting button that will take you directly to the team at the National Crime Agency.
You can also find out more information via The FA website – Safeguarding
Whistle-blowing
Whistle-blowing in a safeguarding context means revealing and raising concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation, or within an independent structure associated with it.
It can be used as an early-warning system or when it’s recognised that appropriate actions have not been taken. This approach or policy is adopted in many different walks of life. Any adult or young person with concerns about a persons conduct towards a child or young person can also use whistleblowing by calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA’s safeguarding team, or via email to: Safeguarding@TheFA.com
Safeguarding Courses
The FA host a number of safeguarding courses online, there new course ‘Safeguarding for all provides a basic overview of how to safeguard children looking specifically at best practise, poor practise and abuse topic.
You can access all the free online courses by visiting: The FA – Bootroom