1. We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. This club is supporting The FA’s Respect programme to ensure football can be enjoyed in a safe, positive environment.
2. Remember children’s football is a time for them to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills.
3. Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for spectators and parents/ carers at all times

I will:

• Remember that children play for FUN.
• Applaud effort and good play as well as success

• Always Respect the match officials’ decisions
• Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectators’ Area
• Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
• Encourage the players to Respect the opposition, referee and match officials
• Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning
• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour
• Support the coaches in providing a safe environment for my child to train and play. In particular at training I will ensure I am present to collect my child from the actual training area and make the coach aware of my presence.

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/ all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or The FA:

I may be:

• Issued with a verbal warning from a club or league official. 

• Required to meet with the club, league or CFA Welfare Officer.

• Required to meet with the club committee. 

• Obliged to undertake an FA education course. 

• Obliged to leave the match venue by the club. 

• Requested by the club not to attend future games. 

• Suspended or have my club membership removed. 

• Required to leave the club along with any dependents. 


• The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club. In any instance where the club is fined for my behaviour as a parent or supporter I understand I will be liable to pay that fine.

In General

Headley Youth Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs. Any breaches of the above will result in disciplinary action against those responsible.

Anti-bullying policy: http://headleyyouthfc.co.uk/the-fa-anti-bullying-policy-for-clubs/
Safeguarding children policy: http://headleyyouthfc.co.uk/safeguarding/

Club Grievance procedure applicable to Players, Coaches, Parents and Supporters

Raising a Grievance

In the first instance, persons should approach their respective Team Manager (or a Club Official if the grievance is against the Manager) and notify them that a grievance/complaint is being raised. Personnel must provide to their Team Manager or Club Official (normally the Club Secretary) a written statement (either hard copy or Email) explaining their grievance and the basis of it. All relevant points and factual supporting evidence should be clarified in the statement. The complainant will normally then be invited within 14 days of presenting the grievance to attend a meeting to discuss it. The complainant must take all reasonable steps to attend the meeting. Unless further investigation is required following the meeting, the complainant will be advised in writing of the outcome within 14 days or as soon as practicable after that. During an investigation if for some reason there is a delay in establishing outcomes for whatever circumstance all parties should be informed in writing by the lead person responsible for heading the investigation. If, at any time, a complaint is made against a Committee Member then this matter must be dealt with by the Chairperson. If the complaint is against the Chairperson, then the matter should be dealt with by the rest of the Management Committee.

Complaints involving Child Safety/Welfare

Complaints of a sensitive nature involving allegations of Child Abuse/Child safety or any Child concerns must be brought to the attention of the Child Welfare Officer (CWO) in the most confidential manner by either a verbal or written communication. Should an issue be raised in the form of verbal communication it must be followed up in writing within 48 hours. No other Club members or Committee members are to be informed. The (CWO) will decide what action is to be taken based on the information received by the complainant following the disclosure. If, at any time, any person involved with the Club has a concern regarding the safety of any child they are encouraged to speak with the Child Welfare Officer in the strictest of confidence and no other party. Complaints of this nature will be dealt with under the direction of the (CWO) who may if required consult with senior Management Committee and then seek guidance from the DSO at Hampshire FA.

Appeals

The grievance\complaint and normally the outcome of the hearing are final. Should personnel wish to appeal, reasons for the appeal should be submitted in writing to the Club Secretary. When the individual is informed of the outcome of a disciplinary meeting, he/she will be advised of their right to appeal against the disciplinary decision. The basis of any appeal should be made in writing within seven (7) calendar days of notification of the disciplinary action. The individual will be invited within seven (7) days of putting in their appeal to attend an appeal hearing. Individuals attending appeal hearings have the same right to be accompanied as those attending disciplinary hearings. Unless further investigation is required, the decision in connection with the appeal should be notified in writing within seven calendar days of the appeal hearing or as soon as practical thereafter. If it is necessary to spend longer than seven days investigating the appeal the Club Secretary may advise accordingly. The outcome of any Club appeal is normally final. The grievance procedure may not normally be used for the purpose of appealing against a disciplinary decision. The grievance outcome and right to the grievance process will terminate upon the conclusion of any association with the Club by the complainant.

Whereby an individual is dissatisfied with the Club procedure and as such the complaint has not been seen to be investigated as per the written complaints procedure by time and fully taking into consideration both sides of accounts to any situation and has been deemed to be bias complainants can then seek to escalate their grievance to the County FA for subsequent intervention.

Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can also use whistle-blowing by contacting The FA’s safeguarding team via email on safeguarding@TheFA.com. Alternatively personnel can go direct the Police or Children’s Social Care and report concerns there, or they can contact the NSPCC Helpline via 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk

Consent of Parent/Legal Guardian

I give consent for my son/daughter to participate in Football Club’s events and agree to the conditions outlined above. I accept that it is my responsibility to inform the club directly of any changes to the details recorded on this form. I agree to be accountable for the payment of any fines or costs of appeals incurred by the club arising directly from my actions or behaviour within 14 days of the fines being confirmed by Hampshire FA.

I agree to my child being registered as a player with Headley Youth Football Club and understand that he/she is not allowed to play for another club whilst registered. Boys or Girls wishing to change clubs are requested to make an application through their manager.

I understand that the Club accepts no responsibility for any injury that my child may sustain whilst playing for the Club. It is also agreed that I have no objection to my child receiving treatment from the qualified First Aider in attendance pending treatment from fully qualified personnel should it be necessary and that no action will be taken against that person or the Club in such an event.