As a Club, we make football safe not sorry. We do everything we can to create a safe and enjoyable framework around the game we all love.

The Welfare and Safeguarding for children and young people (whether they are players, young referees or qualified coaches) is of paramount importance to us. We aim to build a safe, enjoyable and inclusive environment for all involved.

All Managers, Assistants and volunteers within the Club are DBS checked and have completed the FA Safeguarding Children courses.

We have a designated Safeguarding Officer for the Club; Sarah Osborne.  Sarah focuses on the importance of safe recruitment, safe use of social media, and safe processes and procedures.  We follow FA Safeguarding guidelines  with the advice and support of the Welfare team at Sussex County FA.

Accompanying Sarah we have an Assistant Welfare Officer and our Secretary, Chairman and Treasurer have all completed the Safeguarding for Committee Members course. The course explores the key safeguarding building blocks in clubs such as effective committees, safer recruitment, building safe environments and recognising and reporting concerns.  It addresses whistleblowing and stresses how important the committee is in supporting the Club Welfare Officer to embed safeguarding.

Useful links and relevant documents:

• Safeguarding Children
• Introduction to Safeguarding
• FA Safeguarding
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Safeguarding
• Grassroots safeguarding policy and procedures