Child welfare

Ross Juniors is committed to creating and preserving the safest possible environment in which children may play football.

It is the duty of all Club Management, Club Officials, Team Managers, Parents and any other individual either directly or indirectly involved with member clubs or teams playing in the league to be aware of and help prevent abuse which children can suffer through neglect or of a physical, sexual or emotional nature. Ross Juniors accepts children's welfare is paramount and all children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender or religious belief, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Internal Procedures
In accordance with Herefordshire FA Child Protection policy, Ross Juniors has designated a Child Protection Liaison Officer to be known as the Child Welfare Officer (CWO). The CWO are Pat Hughes and Racheal Loftus. All management, committee members and team managers have been made aware of the CWO's role. Responsibilities of Management, Parents and Players
In the event of a team member or parent having a child protection concern about a player, they should immediately inform the CWO and record accurately the event(s) giving rise to concern.

Listening to Children

The management, team managers or parents should recognise the importance of listening attentively to children at all times, and should be particularly concerned to ensure that any child who wishes to disclose abuse should be assisted in doing so. The management, team managers or parents should be aware that the way in which they talk to a child can have an effect on the evidence which is put forward, if there are any subsequent criminal proceedings. Therefore, any early discussions with the child in which management, team managers and parents are likely to be involved, should, so far as possible, adhere to the following guidance. 
- Listen to the child rather than directly question him/her;
- Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events;
- Make a note of the discussion, taking care to record the timing, setting and personnel present, as well as what is said;
- Record all subsequent events up to the time of any later interview;
- It is important that this work should not be undertaken at a time when it may impact on any legal proceedings in which the child may be involved.

Information & Records

As recommended by the Herefordshire FA, all records and statements relating to Child Protection concerns will be kept by the CWO. The management and players will be given as much information as the CWO deems necessary for them to help the child concerned within the football club. Whatever information is given, care will be taken to indicate its sensitivity and confidentiality. However all management, team managers and parents will bear in mind that children who are not known to be the subject of concerns may be experiencing neglect or abuse and are aware of the need for sensitivity when dealing with all players at all times. Parents
All parents and prospective players are informed of Ross Junior FC's policy toward Child Protection through the Child Protection policy.

Training
The club recognises the importance of training for the CWO and therefore in accordance with the Herefordshire FA, the CWO will be required to attend a meeting organised by the above body. The CWO will then report to the management committee of the football club as appropriately. Anyone joining the management committee will be informed and up-dated of Ross Juniors' Child Protection Policy.

Welfare Officer
- The CWO will ensure the effective communication and liaison between the Herefordshire League, Herefordshire FA and other agencies in the event of any management, team manager or parent having a child protection concern with regard to a player.
- Will support and advise management, team manager and parents in child protection work.
- Will maintain his/her own knowledge and awareness of the issues.
- Will inform the relevant League CWO if any player on the club protection list leaves for another club within or outside our league structure.

Documents

• Advice support disclosure document
• Anti-bullying policy
• Club annual membership consent form
• Complaint form
• Safeguarding policy
• Safe-away cards
• Travel trip tournaments
• Photograph guidelines