Guernsey FA take safeguarding extremely seriously. The on-going work to make the game as safe and enjoyable as possible is led by The FA, the game’s governing body in this country and this work is delivered through County FAs such as ourselves in conjunction with leagues and clubs.

A clear safeguarding strategy has been put in place by English football to protect people involved in the national game. It is complete with policies, procedures and regulations. Every club in the country must adhere to the policies which apply to them. If not, they face sanctions, including suspension from playing.

Policies include the mandatory appointment of a Club Welfare Officer(s) for every league or club with youth teams. There is also a requirement for specified club committee officers to complete the free online ‘Safeguarding for Committee Members’ course. While mandatory for specified officers, the course is open to anyone to raise their awareness of potential situations and how to deal with them.

Welfare Officers must have an FA-accepted Criminal Record Check, which has to be renewed every three years. They must also undertake regular FA-approved safeguarding training. With the club committee’s support, Welfare Officers ensure the appropriate checks and training are completed for anyone at the club working with children and young people under the age of 18.

To access more information about safeguarding policies, roles and profiles, procedures and regulations, please follow this link:

http://www.guernseyfa.com/about/rules-and-regulations/safeguarding-and-welfare

Guernsey FA Chief Executive Officer and Senior Safeguarding Lead, Gary Roberts commented that;

‘Providing a range of safeguarding services and training to help create a safe and enjoyable football experience for everyone is one of the most important responsibilities of the Guernsey FA and one that we take seriously in the best interests of all involved in football locally. We ensure safeguarding requirements are met as a requirement of the annual club affiliation process and we undertake numerous unannounced safeguarding validation visits to clubs throughout each season. In addition we support clubs maintain standards, which includes providing safeguarding based education courses for the numerous volunteers in local clubs.’

Follow the link below to find out about the current safeguarding support services the Guernsey FA offers the local football community:

http://www.guernseyfa.com/about/rules-and-regulations/safeguarding-and-welfare/safeguarding-in-guernsey

For more information about Safeguarding in Guernsey football please contact the Guernsey FA Safeguarding Team:

Guernsey FA – safeguarding@GuernseyFA.com or 01481 200443

Guernsey FA Designated Safeguarding Officer Sara Mallett -Sara.Mallett@randellandloveridge.gg

Guernsey FA Senior Safeguarding Lead, Gary Roberts – Gary.roberts@GuernseyFA.com

Guernsey FA Board Safeguarding Champion, Chris Schofield - Chris.Schofield@hepburnsinsurance.gg