Colchester United Football in the Community (CUFITC), wanted to give safeguarding update to mark the FA’s Play Safe Campaign.
Play Safe unites all football communities to promote the vital importance of safeguarding. On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2022, Play Safe will raise awareness on every level. Please take a look at thefa.com for courses, videos and further details surrounding the campaign and to get involved.
Our Sport and Education Programme provide curriculum activities to 45 schools in Essex and Suffolk. From PE provision to a huge variety of after school and lunchtime clubs, our partners rely on our expertise and support. CUFITC have a safer recruitment policy, which we follow to ensure that anyone working within our partner schools holds an enhanced DBS check. Prior to any of our delivery staff attending a school, we provide all of the relevant safeguarding information to the school. Our staff always carry photo ID and a copy of their DBS.
Safeguarding was the first item on the agenda for our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event, in preparation for returning to schools after the summer holiday. Colchester United’s Welfare and Safeguarding Officer provided an in depth training course for all staff and attendance was mandatory. New starters also complete safeguarding courses as part of their induction.
It is vital that we all remain vigilant and always report any concerns immediately. Play Safe’s focus for this year is the key role of parents/carers in safeguarding. Critical information for parents/carers:
- Be aware of your child’s club welfare officer and their phone number
- Save the NSPCC number 0808 800 5000 in your phone
- Familiarise yourself with your child’s clubs safeguarding policies and procedures
- Have you taken the FAs free online safeguarding course for parents?
- Regularly check in with your child to ensure that you are aware of what they are enjoying/not enjoying and why