Statement of Intent

 

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate

 

in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur,

 

all club members or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

 

We are a

 

 

TELLING club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the club

 

welfare officer or any committee member.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of

hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and

distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

•

 

 

Emotional being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally

and physically), sending hurtful text

messages, tormenting (e.g. hiding football

boots/shin guards, threatening gestures)

•

 

 

Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any

use of violence

•

 

 

Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures

•

 

 

Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually

abusive comments

•

 

 

Homophobic because of, or focussing on the issue of

sexuality

•

 

 

Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours,

teasing.

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying.

Everybody has the right to be treated with respect.

Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways

of behaving.

This club have a responsibility to respond promptly and

effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy

•

 

 

All club members, coaches, officials and parents/carers

should have an understanding of what bullying is

•

 

 

All club members, officials and coaching staff should

know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it

when bullying is reported

•

 

 

All players and parents/carers should know what the

club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if

bullying arises

•

 

 

As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and

parents/carers should be assured that they would be

supported when bullying is reported

•

 

 

Bullying will not be tolerated

•

 

 

All club members, coaches, officials and parents/carers

should have an appreciation of the signs and indicators

of

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is

being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible

signs and they should investigate if a child:

•

 

 

says he or she is being bullied

•

 

 

is unwilling to go to club sessions

•

 

 

becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence

•

 

 

feels ill before training sessions

•

 

 

comes home with clothes torn or training equipment

damaged

•

 

 

has possessions go ‘missing’

•

 

 

asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay

the bully)

•

 

 

has unexplained cuts or bruises

•

 

 

is frightened to say what's wrong

•

 

 

gives improbable excuses for any of the above.

Or, in more extreme cases, if a child:

•

 

 

starts stammering

•

 

 

cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

•

 

 

becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

•

 

 

is bullying other children or siblings

•

 

 

stops eating

•

 

 

attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.

These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems,

but bullying should be considered a possibility and should

be investigated.

Procedures

1.

 

 

Report bullying incidents to the club welfare officer

or a member of the clubs committee or contact the

County Football Association Child Protection Officer

(CFA CPO)

2.

 

 

In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be

referred to the CFA CPO for advice and possibly to the

FA Case Management System

3.

 

 

Parents/carers should be informed and will be asked to

come in for a meeting to discuss the problem

4.

 

 

If necessary and appropriate, Police will be consulted

5.

 

 

The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be

investigated and the bullying stopped quickly

6.

 

 

An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies)

change their behaviour

7.

 

 

If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue

the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club

constitution.

Recommended Club Action

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal

with the situation they should follow the procedure

outlined below.

1.

 

 

Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be

that a genuine apology solves the problem

2.

 

 

If this fails or is not appropriate a small panel (made up

from chairman, club welfare officer, secretary,

committee members) should meet with the

parents/carers and child alleging bullying to get details

of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity,

which should be agreed by all as a true account

3.

 

 

The same three persons should meet with the alleged

bully and parents/carers and put the incident raised to

them to answer and give their view of the allegation.

Minutes should again be taken and agreed

If bullying has in their view taken place, the individual

should be warned and put on notice of further action

i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying

continues. Consideration should be given as to whether

a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate

at this time

5.

 

 

In some cases the parent/carers of the bully or bullied

player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they

are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee

should monitor the situation for a given period to

ensure the bullying is not being repeated

6.

 

 

All coaches involved with both individuals should be

made aware of the concerns and outcome of the

process i.e. the warning.

In the Case of Adults Reported to be Bullying Anyone

Within the Club Under 18

1.

 

 

The CFA CPO should always be informed and will

advise on action to be taken where appropriate

2.

 

 

It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation

is made regarding a team manager, official or coach,

The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice awareness

training may be recommended

3.

 

 

More serious cases may be referred to the Police

and/or Social Services.

Prevention

•

 

 

The club will have a written constitution, which includes

what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members

of which the anti-bullying policy is one part

•

 

 

All club members and parents will sign to accept the

constitution upon joining the club

•

 

 

The club welfare officer will raise awareness about

bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise

in the club, will consider meeting with members to

discuss the issue openly and constructively.

This policy is based on guidance provided to

schools by KIDSCAPE.

KIDSCAPE is a voluntary organisation committed to help

prevent child bullying. KIDSCAPE can be contacted on

0207 730 3300 or you can access their website via

www.kidscape.org.uk

You may also wish to access www.bullying.co.uk, another

website designed to give advice and guidance to parents

and children who are faced with dealing with bullying.

We would like to thank the ASA who have shared their

Anti-Bullying Policy for Clubs on which this recommended

FA Club Anti-Bullying Policy has been developed.