We are sure you are aware of the serious information which continues to come to light regarding child abuse in football, and FA Chairman Greg Clarke has recently written an open letter – which is attached to the bottom of this post.
Everybody at Sussex Schools FA are appalled by the horrific abuse suffered by former footballers and our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
In his letter, Greg Clarke asks everyone in football to offer support to anyone who needs it and to encourage anyone with information to contact the Police, The FA or NSPCC.
The FA has set up a helpline in conjunction with the NSPCC which you are encouraged to contact with any information.
· NSPCC 24 hour helpline 0800 023 2642
· Childline 0800 1111
Schools’ football (ESFA) has implemented robust safeguarding procedures that Sussex Schools FA abide by.
All coaching staff have an accepted FA Enhanced Criminal Record Check (DBS) in place.
Every coach involved in the Association must be registered and attached to a team on the ESFA portal.
If a coach is a practising teacher or education services employee and receives regular safeguarding training through their employers, this must be kept up to date. All other coaches must attend the FA’s Safeguarding Workshop which must be renewed every 3 years.
This is an ESFA policy and Associations may face suspension if they are using coaches who have not had the required training and criminal record checks.
Safeguarding Children is a priority for ESFA and we want to make sure everybody knows how to report a concern and who to report it to. A reminder that all ESFA policies in this regard can be found on the website at:
http://www.esfa.co.uk/childwelfare/
Any questions, please contact either of the ESFA National Welfare Officers- Martin Duffield (07852 276416 martin.duffield@schoolsfa.com) or Sarah DaCosta (07960 500723 sarah.dacosta@schoolsfa.com) or Sussex Schools FA Chairman – Ross Maryan (uccrmaryan@uctc.org.uk)
Kindest regards,
Ross Mayan
greg-clarke-to-club-secretaries-241116
NB That some of the wording above has been taken from an email received by the ESFA.
