1. FCB Magpies acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person directly connected with the club and is committed to providing a safe environment for all. We recognise that those aged 16/17 years-of-age are legally defined as children and therefore we have a responsibility to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. As such we subscribe to the Gibraltar Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures.

FCB Magpies endorses and adopts the following key safeguarding principles:

• 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, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity;

• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately; and

• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/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.

FCB Magpies recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

 

2. FCB Magpies 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 FA’s Safeguarding Children Regulations apply to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, including coaches/managers, volunteers, match officials, helpers on club tours, or medical staff or other club officials/helpers.

 

3. We endorse and adopt the Gibraltar FA’s Safer Recruitment guidelines and we will:

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• Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves;

•Request identification documents;

•As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible interview people before appointing them;

• Ask for and follow up with two references before appointing someone; and

• Where eligible require a Gibraltar FA- accepted RGP vetting enhanced with barred list Check, in line with the Gibraltar FA’s current Safeguarding Children Policy and Regulations.

 

All current FCB Magpies members working in eligible roles with children and young people, such as coaches managers and physiotherapists, are required to hold an in-date Gibraltar FA accepted RGP vetting enhanced with barred list check as part of safer recruitment practice.

It is noted and accepted that the Gibraltar FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via the RGP vetting process and that all suitability decisions will be made in accordance with legislation and in the best interests of children and young people.

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of a club official who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of FCB Magpies, guidance will be sought from the Gibraltar FA.  It is accepted that the Gibraltar 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.

 

4. FCB Magpies supports the Gibraltar FA’s Whistle Blowing policy (as described in this paragraph), which requires any adult or young person with concerns about an adult in a position of trust within football can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting the Gibraltar FA on +350 200 42941, by writing to by emailing info@gibraltarfa.com. or alternatively by going direct to the Police or Care Agency.

FCB magpies encourages everyone to know about The Gibraltar FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.

 

5. We acknowledge and endorse the Gibraltar 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 or parents/carers should be able to access our anti- bullying policy and know that incidents will be dealt with  appropriately.  Incidents need to be reported in accordance with paragraph 6 below.

In cases of serious bullying the Designated Safeguarding Officer may be contacted.

 

6. In this Club, Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we know that inaction is not an option and if anyone is worried about a child it is important that they report their concerns to the Club Welfare Officer (if there is one) or a member of the Club committee, who will deal with reported concerns as follows:

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i) The Club Welfare Officer (if there is one) (“CWO”) or a member of the Club committee will manage poor practice and where necessary seek advice from the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).

ii) The CWO or a member of the Club committee will make referrals about more serious concerns to the DSO, or in an emergency contact the Police or Care Agency.

iii) We will ensure that if the child needs immediate medical treatment that we take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them it is a child protection concern.

iv) The CWO or a member of the Club committee will keep records of the actions taken and keep the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) informed.

v) If the CWO or a member of the Club committee is not available at any time, or the matter is clearly serious, all our members should be aware that they can:

• Contact our DSO directly. Nadine Rodriguez on +350 54000612

• Contact the Gibraltar FA on +350 200 42941

• Contact the Police or Care Agency

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FCB Magpies Committee understands and accepts our collective responsibility to adhere to our safeguarding children policy and procedures.

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We commit to ensuring our members are aware of and have access to our policies.