Young Southside Star Youth FC players in yellow kit on a match day
Safeguarding

Keeping children safe at Southside Star

The safety and wellbeing of every child is our priority. Here's how we protect them, and who to talk to if you have a concern.

If a child is at immediate risk, call 999

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999 straight away. For urgent concerns that aren't an emergency, you can also contact the police on 101 or Gloucestershire children's services. Don't wait to raise it with the club first.

Our commitment

Southside Star Youth FC is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all children and young people. The safety and wellbeing of every child is our priority, and it sits at the heart of how the club is run.

Everyone involved with the club, coaches, managers, volunteers, parents and players, shares responsibility for keeping children safe. We follow The Football Association's safeguarding standards and keep our policies under regular review.

When to contact the Club Welfare Officer

Please get in touch with our Club Welfare Officer if you:

  • Are worried about a child's safety or wellbeing
  • Have seen or heard something that concerns you at the club
  • Want to report bullying, poor behaviour or a breach of our codes of conduct
  • Have a concern about the conduct of an adult towards a child
  • Simply aren't sure and would like to talk it through

You don't need to be certain something is wrong to raise it. If in doubt, make contact and we'll help.

How to report a concern

The quickest way to raise a concern is to speak to or email the Club Welfare Officer, Annabelle Green. When you contact us, try to include:

  • What you've seen or been told, in as much detail as you can
  • When and where it happened
  • The names of anyone involved, if you know them
  • Whether the child or anyone else is aware you're raising it

If a child is at immediate risk, call 999 first. Reporting to the club does not replace contacting the police or children's services in an emergency.

What happens after a concern is raised?

Every concern is taken seriously. The Club Welfare Officer will listen, record what you've shared and decide on the right next step. That may mean seeking advice from the County FA safeguarding team, referring the matter to statutory agencies such as the police or children's services, or handling it within the club's own procedures.

We handle concerns sensitively and share information only with those who need to know in order to keep a child safe.

Bullying

Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. That includes physical, verbal, emotional and online behaviour. If your child is being bullied, or you witness bullying, please report it to a coach or the Club Welfare Officer. We take every report seriously and act on it. Our approach is set out in the Club Anti-Bullying Policy.

Respect and positive behaviour

We expect everyone at the club, players, coaches, parents and spectators, to show respect towards teammates, opponents, match officials and each other. Our Respect Codes of Conduct set out what that looks like for each group, and they're there to keep football enjoyable and safe for children.

Photography, video and social media

We know parents love to capture their children playing. We ask everyone to follow our Photo, Video and Social Media Policy so that images of children are only taken and shared appropriately, and never in a way that could put a child at risk. If you'd prefer your child not to appear in club photos, please let their coach or the Welfare Officer know.

Safer recruitment and volunteers

Everyone who works with children at the club goes through safer recruitment. Coaches and volunteers in eligible roles complete an FA Enhanced DBS check and the relevant safeguarding and first aid training. This helps make sure the adults around your child are suitable and supported to do their role well.

Players: who can you speak to?

If you're a young player and something is worrying you, you're never on your own. You can talk to your coach, ask a parent or carer to help, or contact our Club Welfare Officer. You can also call Childline free on 0800 1111 at any time. Nothing is too small to talk about.

Parents and carers

You are a key part of keeping football safe. Please get to know your child's coach, feel free to ask questions, and let us know if anything concerns you. Supporting from the sideline positively, and respecting officials and other teams, sets the example our children follow.

Our full policies are available on the Club Documents page, including:

  • Club Safeguarding Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Photo, Video and Social Media Policy
  • Coach Behaviour and Discipline
  • Respect Codes of Conduct

Useful external links