We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people who participate in football within the Gwent County Girls League (GCGL) do so in a fun, safe and positive environment.

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The Gwent County Girls League believes that every adult involved in football has a legal and moral responsibility to protect children and young people from abuse, harm and poor practice.

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To ensure safeguarding is embedded throughout our football culture:

• Each football club must follow the FAW Safeguarding Policy, Practices & Procedures.

• We work in partnership with relevant agencies, such as the Child Protection in Sport Unit, to help ensure the necessary safeguarding standards are met.

• Safeguarding structures and designated safeguarding contacts must be in place at all levels of the game. It is a requirement for all clubs, leagues and Area Associations to have a registered Safeguarding Officer who has completed the appropriate safeguarding training.

• We work in partnership with relevant agencies to ensure information, guidance and training opportunities are available to everyone involved in Welsh football.

• We signpost individuals and clubs to agencies that can provide specialist guidance and support.

• Appropriate complaints procedures should be in place to enable clubs to deal with concerns regarding poor practice. Concerns may be escalated to the League, Area Association and the FAW where appropriate.

• Procedures must be followed when dealing with high-risk safeguarding cases, including liaison with the Police, Local Authorities and other relevant agencies where necessary.

• Codes of Conduct should be in place for players, coaches, parents/carers, volunteers and referees.

• Best-practice guidelines should be promoted and followed.

• Clubs and individuals should make use of the safeguarding information and requirements provided by the FAW and other recognised safeguarding organisations.

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All Small-Sided and Junior Football Clubs are expected to:

• Have a registered Safeguarding Officer in place at all times who has completed the required safeguarding training and is familiar with the FAW Safeguarding Policy and associated guidance.

• Meet all relevant accreditation requirements before receiving clearance to operate.

• Follow the correct recruitment processes, including ensuring that volunteers have the appropriate DBS checks, have completed the necessary training for their role and are correctly registered on the COMET system.

• Implement Codes of Conduct for their members.

• Educate players, coaches, volunteers, parents and carers on best-practice guidelines.

• Ensure an appropriate club complaints procedure is in place.

• Deal appropriately with low-level concerns and instances of poor practice.

• Inform the FAW of high-level safeguarding concerns, including allegations of abuse, in accordance with FAW procedures.

• Ensure that player welfare is paramount at all times.

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SAFEGUARDING ID BADGES

Safeguarding remains at the very heart of our priorities as a league, not only for the benefit of everyone involved in the Gwent County Girls League, but also throughout the wider football community.

We have previously highlighted the importance of appropriate identification for coaches, helpers and volunteers who come into contact with children and young people participating in our league.

Thanks to a significant amount of dedication and work behind the scenes, we are delighted to announce that the GCGL Safeguarding ID Badge initiative is now being rolled out.

Processing the large number of coaches and volunteers who support our clubs is a considerable undertaking, so we kindly ask for your continued patience as we work through each club and age group.

Further information regarding the distribution of ID badges, including the relevant age groups and venues, will be communicated directly to clubs.

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What Do We Expect of You?

• Once you have been issued with your GCGL ID badge, it must be worn at all games and football activities where you have contact with children and young people.

• Wearing these badges will enable players, parents/carers, match officials and league officials to easily identify coaches, helpers and other authorised volunteers associated with our clubs.

• Once the scheme has been fully implemented, anyone required to hold an ID badge who is found not wearing it will be asked to step away from contact with children until the appropriate identification can be provided.

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The scheme is funded by the Gwent County Girls League (GCGL) and ID badges will be provided free of charge.

If a badge is lost or misplaced, there will be a £5.00 charge for a replacement badge.

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Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and we thank all of our clubs, coaches, volunteers, parents and officials for their continued support in helping us provide a safe, positive and enjoyable football environment for every player.

 

If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact the Gwent County Girls League (GCGL) via the usual league email address.