Welfare
Club Welfare Statement
"Ensuring the physical and mental health, safety and rights of our players are placed above all else by everyone at all times"
Safeguarding our children is a fundamental aspect of Twickenham Cygnets FC and all of its members. Collectively we have an ongoing duty to ensure the game and coaching sessions are a safe, positive and enjoyable experience for the hundreds of girls who regularly play or watch, coach, referee and volunteer at the club. Twickenham Cygnets FC has a united approach to welfare across the game driven by the FA’s three part-strategy around safeguarding:
1. Implementing preventative safeguarding measures (such as safer recruitment) to create a fun and safe football environment
2. Making the reporting of concerns as easy as possible
3. Ensuring safeguarding, child protection and adult at risk concerns are investigated swiftly and thoroughly in conjunction with statutory agencies and with demonstrable outcomes.
This ongoing work is all underpinned by our policies, procedures and regulations which are available here. We recognise that for safeguards to be effective across the game, we all need to understand the role we must play. That is why each of our age groups has a dedicated Welfare Officer and these volunteers will be on hand to help provide access to and support with our policies and any safeguarding concerns. All of our Welfare Officers have completed The FA’s Safeguarding & Welfare courses and have DBS certificates in place.
Welfare FAQs
What is the role of a safeguarding officer at Twickenham Cygnets FC?
Each safeguarding officer will be responsible for:
1. Reviewing current practices;
2. Promoting safeguarding awareness and training
3. Promoting a culture of listening to our players
4. Ensuring compliance with safer recruitment practices, including DBS checks at every level of the game.
It’s vital that everyone in the club knows who the welfare officers are and how to contact them. This is especially true for players, parents/carers and coaches. If parents/carers have a poor practice concern, the club welfare officer is the first point of contact.
I am interested in volunteering and learning more about safeguarding at Twickenham Cygnets FC, who should I contact?
Anyone interested in supporting the club's welfare team should contact twickenhamcygnets@gmail.com
What qualifications do you need to become a Welfare Officer
All Safeguarding Officers at the club have:
-Attended The FA Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Workshops.
-Completed The FA Safeguarding for Committee Members’ course.
-Hold an in-date FA-Accepted Enhanced with Children’s Barring List Check.
How do I raise a welfare concern?
Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult towards a child or young person under 18 years of age in football, is required to refer it to the dedicated Welfare Officer for your team. Please see the list of Welfare Officers below for your daughter's age group and team and their contact details. If the matter is urgent and you cannot contact your club or County FA designated Safeguarding officer, you can call The NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 – or if it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the police or children’s social care in your area.
Meet your Welfare Officers.
Below is the list of all our Welfare Officers. Each age group has at least one dedicated welfare officer and is responsible for all teams and players in this age group.
