Safeguarding Children Policy

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY.

Download the Full Document Here

Useful Numbers and contacts;

HCLFC Safeguarding Champion & Welfare Officer: Sue Altass – 07801 836235 / Hullcityladieswelfare@gmail.com

HCLFC Club Chair: Rachel Gay – 07738 918593 / rachelgay1974@icloud.com

HCLFC Club Secretary: Kirsty Eastwood – 07709 848049 / secretary@hullcityladies.com

East Riding County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer: Steve Lazenby – 07795 690491 / Steve.lazenby@eastridingfa.com

FA Safeguarding: safeguarding@TheFA.com

NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000

Police: 999 or 101 / Childline: 0800 1111

Hull City Ladies Football Club – Safeguarding Children Policy

1. Policy Statement

Hull City Ladies Football Club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person and vulnerable adults entrusted to its care. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all participants.
For the purposes of this policy, a child or young person is defined as anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity.
We fully subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures, and we endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained within that document.

2. Key Principles

We support and promote the core principles of The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy:

  • The welfare of the child is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
  • All children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to protection from abuse, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith, or belief.
  • All allegations or suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • Effective partnership with children and young people, vulnerable adults and their parents/carers, and relevant organisations is essential for safeguarding.

Hull City Ladies Football Club believes every child and vulnerable adult involved in football should enjoy their experience in a safe and positive environment, free from poor practice and abuse. This responsibility is shared by every adult within our club.

3. Our Role in Safeguarding

Hull City Ladies has a duty to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from physical, sexual, or emotional harm, neglect, and bullying.
We acknowledge and accept that The FA’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (as detailed in The FA Handbook) apply to everyone involved in football, whether in a paid or voluntary role. This includes:

  • Volunteers
  • Match officials
  • Coaches and Managers
  • Tour helpers
  • Club officials
  • Medical and support staff

4. Safer Recruitment

We fully endorse and implement The FA’s Responsible Recruitment practices when appointing staff or volunteers, please refer to our Safer Recruitment Policy found in the Policies and Forms Section of our Website:

  • Clearly define roles and responsibilities
  • Request appropriate identification documents
  • Conduct informal or formal interviews where possible
  • Obtain and follow up two references before appointment
  • Require an FA accepted Enhanced DBS with Barring List Check, in line with current FA policy

All individuals in eligible roles (including managers and coaches) must:

  • Hold an in-date FA Enhanced DBS with Barring List check
  • Complete The FA Safeguarding Children Course

If concerns arise regarding any individual—either currently involved with or seeking to join the club—we will seek advice from the FA. All decisions regarding suitability will align with legislation and be made in the best interests of children, young people and vulnerable adult. The FA works to prevent individuals with relevant and significant offending histories from engaging with or influencing children or vulnerable adult in football, thereby reducing the risks of harm or grooming.

5. Whistleblowing

Hull City Ladies supports and promotes The FA’s Whistleblowing Policy. Anyone with concerns about a person in a position of trust in football should report it. This includes both adults and young people. (please see separate policy on Complaints and Whistle blowing)

Contact Options:

  • The FA Safeguarding Team: 0800 169 1863
  • In writing: The FA Case Manager, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ
  • Email: Safeguarding@TheFA.com
  • External agencies: Police, Children’s Social Care, or the NSPCC (0808 800 5000)
  • Contact and report concerns to East Riding Children’s Social Care, with the support of East Riding Safe Guarding officer Steve Lazenby

We encourage all members to be aware of and use The FA’s Whistleblowing Policy when necessary.

6. Club Welfare Officers

Hull City Ladies FC has appointed Sue Altass as the Club Welfare Officer, in line with FA requirements. They have completed the relevant FA Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer training.

Their responsibilities include:

  • Acting as the first point of contact for concerns
  • Liaising with the East Riding FA Welfare Officer (Steve Lazenby)
  • Raising awareness of safeguarding, respect, and poor practice
  • Supporting and guiding club members on welfare matters
  • Liaising with East Riding Children’s Safe Guarding Team

Thresholds of safeguarding concerns in football.

After a review of the 2024/25 season, it is apparent that clubs and coaches are unaware of the process for raising concerns within the club and at matches. Any report in terms of safeguarding should follow the FA threshold process.

If a child (under 18yrs) is in immediate danger or risk of harm or has been harmed, contact the police or relevant authorities immediately. This should also be communicated to Steve Lazenby, Designated Safeguarding Officer of the ERFA. (Tier 3/4)

Poor Practice, whilst the behaviour may not be immediately dangerous or intentionally harmful, it does set a poor example and if it were to continue, it might lead to harm or put a child in danger.
To allow poor practice to continue unchallenged may result in an environment developing in which abuse may be able to take place. It normalises behaviour which is unacceptable and should not be condoned. This includes repeat offenders of any matters that the club has tried to address but continue at the club, for example; disagreements/arguments at a football match involving coaches/parents or players. This should be reported directly to the Welfare Officer of your club and put a match report into the Hull City Ladies FC Welfare Officer -Welfare@Hullcityladies.co.uk (Tier 2)

Poor Practice is behaviour, which falls below the standard required by a club as set out in the     Code of Conduct at matches or training. Disagreements between Team coaches/players and or parents must be reported to the Club Welfare in the first instance, and they can seek support from the  Hullcityladieswelfare@gmail.com( Tier 1)

7. Bullying

We recognise and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a form of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated. If bullying is reported, it will be addressed promptly and seriously. Serious cases may be referred to the County FA Welfare Officer. Please see our club Anti Bullying Policy found with the Policies and Forms section of our website.

8. Respect Codes of Conduct

We have implemented Respect Codes of Conduct for:

  • Players
  • Parents/Spectators
  • Officials
  • Coaches
  • Staff and Volunteers
  • Board and Committee Members

The club has clear procedures in place to address repeated or serious breaches. We acknowledge that County FA sanctions may apply in more serious circumstances.

9. Reporting Concerns (please see attached document title Welfare Officers Safe Reporting for all Club Members also provided in the Club Welfare Officers Sections of this document)

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are concerned about the welfare or a child, young person or vulnerable adult do not ignore it—take action:

i. Report your concern to the Club Welfare Officer. Hullcityladieswelfare@gmail.com
ii. If it involves poor practice, the Welfare Officer may:

  • Address the issue directly
  • Seek advice from the County FA Welfare Officer

iii. For more serious concerns (e.g. potential abuse):

  • Contact the County FA Welfare Officer, Police, or Children’s Social Care immediately

iv. If urgent medical attention is needed, take the child to A&E or call an ambulance—inform medical staff it is a child protection concern

v. If the Welfare Officer is unavailable or the concern is urgent:

  • Contact the County FA Welfare Officer directly
  • Call The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863
  • Contact Police, Children’s Services, or the NSPCC (0808 800 5000, text 88858, or email help@nspcc.org.uk)

Further guidance and referral flowcharts are available on The FA’s Safeguarding portal:
  www.TheFA.com/footballrules-governance/safeguarding – see “Raising Awareness – Best Practice Downloads”.

10. Key Contacts

Club Welfare Officer (Safeguarding Lead):

  • Sue Altass

    • 📞 07801 836235
    • 📧 altass.sue@gmail.com

County FA Welfare Officer:

  • Steve Lazenby

    • 📞 01482 221158
    • 📧 CountyWO@steve.lazenby@eastridingfa.com

FA Safeguarding Contact:

  • 📞 0845 210 8080
  • 📧 Safeguarding@TheFA.com

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Updates

Please note: The FA’s policies on DBS checks are subject to updates. The latest guidance can be found here:
🔗 DBS and Safer Recruitment – The FA