In accordance with the Rules of the F.A., Essex F.A., Southend & District Sunday Junior Football League the S.E. Essex (mini-soccer) Primary League, Wickford Town have always maintained a full set of Club Rules which are issued to each parent and a signed registration/receipt secured. Wickford Town are committed fully to the requirements of the F.A.'s Child Protection Policy and have appointed an independent person, in accordance with the Policy, to act as an arbiter and first line of approach for any persons who may have cause for complaint as specified.

The F.A Child Protection Policy
Every child and young person who plays football shall be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. We recognise, however, that child abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgement about any action to take.

The Football Association recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical or emotional harm and from neglect and bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that those clubs and organisations providing footballing opportunities for children and young people do so, to the highest possible standard of care.

Clear practices and procedures, in addition to a detailed training programme already underway, will ensure that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them in relation to the protection of children and young people within our sport. It is essential that those children and young people attracted to and participating in football are able to do so in a quality, safe and enjoyable environment. In striving to attain this, The Football Association has the Following Objectives:

A requirement that the FA Premier League and the Football League include in their rules a policy statement concerning child protection. A requirement that all bodies affiliated to the Football Association as Charter Standards Organisations, affiliated through the County Associations, which provide the opportunity to work with young people and children up to the age of 18, include in their rules a policy statement concerning child protection.

To provide ongoing development and training opportunities to all organisations as mentioned above.

To provide ongoing development and training opportunities for members of the FA Coaches Association as an integral part of all FA Coach and Medical Education courses and courses for referees in staff development courses for

members of the FA Premier League and the Football League through the County Football Association structure and through the process of attaining and maintaining the Charter Standard Award

The aims of the FA Child Protection Policy are:

To develop a positive and pro-active position in order to protect all children and young people who play football enabling them to play in a safe environment
To deliver quality assured child protection training and build a network of tutors to facilitate this delivery, in conjunction with, and supported by, the NSPCC.
To demonstrate best practice in the area of child protection
To promote ethics and high standards throughout football

The key principles underpinning this policy are that :-
The child's welfare is, and always must 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 identity
All suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately working in partnership with children and young people and their parents/careers is essential. Social Services Depts have a statutory responsibility to ensure the welfare of children & young people
The FA is committed to working together with Social Services Depts and local Child Protection Committees (ACPC) in accordance with their procedures.

The FA's Regulations on child protection as defined in the FA Handbook

1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter that harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behavior which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
2. In these regulations the expression "Offence shall mean one or more of the offences contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes the Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
3. Upon receipt, by the Association of :
3.1 notification that an individual has been charged with an offence: or,
3.2 notification that an individual is subject to an investigation by the police, Social Services or any other authority relating to an offence
3.3 any information that causes the Association to reasonably believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, then The Association shall have the power to order that individual to be suspended from all or specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions that it thinks fit.
4 In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 2 should be made, the Association shall give consideration , inter alia to the following factors:-
4.1 whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm
4.2 whether the matters are of a serious nature
4.3 whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by the Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded.
5 The period of an order referred to in 2 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of the Association or any offence is decided or brought to an end.
6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under regulation 2 above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of the Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
7. Where a person is convicted or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of the Association and the Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or specific football for such periods (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it think fit.
8. For the purposes of these regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any committee or sub-committee thereof, including the Board.
9. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any club with which he/she is associated, as soon as reasonably practicable

CONCLUSION The FA, through confirming this Policy document, has indicated its determination to ensure that children and young people can participate in all forms of football activity with their safety being of paramount importance. It is essential that this document is representative of a process of continual improvement in the area of child protection within football. It is for all adults engaged in football activities to promote good practice and procedures whilst being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities towards the children and young people in their care.