Congleton Town FC is fully dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults involved in its activities.

The club’s safeguarding policy is designed to ensure that all members, especially young players, are protected from harm and have a positive and enjoyable experience while participating in football. The policy outlines clear guidelines for staff, volunteers, and coaches, ensuring they are properly trained in safeguarding practices and are subject to thorough background checks.

The club operates a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse or neglect, and it provides a clear reporting process for any concerns or incidents, ensuring they are dealt with swiftly and appropriately. In addition to providing a safe physical environment, the policy promotes emotional well-being and a culture of respect, inclusion, and fairness for all individuals involved. Congleton Town FC is committed to regularly reviewing and updating its safeguarding practices to stay in line with best practices and national standards. Through these measures, the club aims to create a positive environment where everyone can thrive, participate, and enjoy football safely.

Congleton Town Football Club endorses and adopts the following key Safeguarding principles:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration;
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their; age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity;
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately; and
• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential. We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. Congleton Town Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club. 

In this club, Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we know that inaction is not an option and if anyone is worried about a child it is important that they report their concerns to the club Welfare Officer or a member of the club committee, who will deal with reported concerns as follows:

• The club Welfare Officer (“CWO”) or a member of the club committee will make referrals about more serious concerns to the CFA, DSO, or in an emergency contact the Police or Children’s Social Care
• We will ensure that if the child needs immediate medical treatment that we take them to hospital or call in an ambulance and tell them is child protection concern. 
• The CWO (Adult Teams) or a member of the Club Committee will keep records of the actions taken and keep the CFA Designated Safeguarding Officer informed. 
• The CWO (Adult Teams) can be contacted as follows:
  • Name: Elisabeth Greening
  • Contact Details: 07810176076
• If the CWO or a member of the Club committee is not available at any time, or the matter is clearly serious, all our members should be aware that they can :
  • Contact the CFA DSO directly;
  • Contact the FA’s Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863 or safeguarding@thefa.com;
  • Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care; and/or
  • Call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 Monday – Friday 10:00 – 16:00 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk 

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