Welcome to Astro Blues FC

Site Last Updated - 0830 25th September 2009

CLUB

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

 

 

In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way or that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct  has been broken they should follow the procedures below.

 

1.      They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or another member of the committee.

 

       The report should include:

a.       Details of what , when, and where the occurrences took place

b.      Any witness statement and names

c.       Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way

d.      Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made

e.       A preference for a solution to the incident.

 

2.      The Club’s Management Committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.

3.      The Club’s Management Committee will have the power to:

a.       Warn as to future conduct

b.      Suspend from membership

c.       Remove from membership

Any person found to have broken the Club’s Policies or Codes of Conducts.

 

 

If the complaint is with regard to the Club’s Management Committee the  member has the right to report the discrimination direct to the relevant County Football Association.

SICKNESS POLICY

 

Children should not attend training or matches if they have suffered from Sickness or Diarrhoea within the last 48 hours.

If they have Head Lice or Conjunctivitis, or are suffering from any other infectious illness this also applies.

If your child becomes ill or gets injured during training / match with Astroblues F.C, you may be contacted and expected to come and collect your child immediately.

 

 

                                           BEHAVIOUR POLICY

 

Good behaviour will be encouraged by

·         Setting a good example

·         Showing acknowledgement, praise and approvement for good behaviour

·         Preserving and building each child’s esteem and confidence

·         Adults and children being kind, polite and respectful to one another.

 

Managing unwanted behaviour

·          Distract and redirect the child’s attention

·         Withdraw children from the situation

·         Explain to children why the behaviour is unacceptable

·         Acknowledge children’s feelings and try to find constructive solutions.

 

Children will never be slapped, smacked, shaken, bitten, frightened or humiliated. Physical Intervention such as holding will only be used when preventing an accident or injury or damage to themselves or others. Should physical intervention be used it will be recorded in the club incident book.

 

Children will be made aware that it is the unwanted behaviour and not the child that is the problem. Unwanted behaviour will be dealt with and grudges will not be held.

 

Astroblues is committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.

The following policy is at the heart of the club’s activities.

 

EQUALITY POLICY

 

The aim of this policy is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect and that the football club is equally accessible to them all.

·          The club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to participate in it.

·         The club’s commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability and to encourage equal opportunities.

·         The club, in all its activities, will not discriminate, or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion oe belief, ability or disability. It means that the club will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, it’s activities.

·         The club will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual, which for the purposes of this policy and the actions and sanction applicable is regarded as discrimination. This includes sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal.

·         The club will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

·         The club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members to abide and adhere to these policies and the requirements of the relevant equalities legislation- Race Reations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1975, and Disability Disrimination Act 1995 as well as any amendments to these acts.

·         The club commits itself to the investigation of any claims, when it is brought to their attention, of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice stop and sanctions imposed as appropriate.

 

CLUB CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 


1 Astro Blues Football Club acknowledges its responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18engaged in any club football activity. We subscribe to The Football Association’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.

 

2 The key principles of The FA child protection policy are that:

·          The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.

·         All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

·         All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

·         Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents or carers is essential.

 

We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.

 

Astro Blues Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

 

Astro Blues Football Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.  It is noted and accepted that the Football Association’s child protection regulation applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.  This includes those who are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

 

4 We endorse and adopt The FA’s child protection and best practice guidelines for recruiting volunteers and will:

 

·         Request identification documents

 

·         Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA Guidelines.

 

All current Astro Blues Football Club members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CBR Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit.  If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Astro Blues Football Club guidance will be sought from The Football Association.  It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit Enhanced CRB Disclosure and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.

 

It is accepted that The FA Aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people.  This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

 

5 Astro Blues Football Club supports The FA’s whistle blowing policy.  Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Child Protection Manager on 0207 745 4771, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC.

 

Astro Blues Football Club encourages knowing about it and utilising it if necessary.

 

6 Astro Blues Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the child protection and best practice workshop.  The post holder will be involved with designated person’s training provided by The FA.  The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person.  They will liaise directly with the CFA CPO and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns.  They will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst club members.

 

7 We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse.  Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club.  If bullying does occur, all players, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly.  Incidents need to be reported to the CWO, a member of the committee or, in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.

 

8 Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Astro Blues Football Club.

 

In order to validate these codes of conduct the club has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstance.  All prospective members will be informed of these codes.

 

9 Further advice on child protection matters can be obtained from:

·          The County Football Association’s Child Protection Officer, whose details can be found in the County Handbook.

·         The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection

·         24 Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000

·         www.TheFA.com/Goal

·         The FA Child protection team 0207 745 4649.

 

 

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

 

 

Statement of intent

 

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.

 

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all the club members or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the Club Welfare Officer or any committee member.

 

 

 

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

 

 

Astro Blues Football Club is reliant on the Health and Safety policy already in place at Redbridge School.  Please see the club chairman if you would any further information.