Safeguarding

find out about policies and safeguarding courses

Christmas and New Year Safeguarding Contacts

From Tuesday 24th December 2024 to Thursday 2nd January 2025, if you believe an under 18 is at immediate risk of harm, or if you have an urgent safeguarding concern, please contact the police on 999. Alternatively, you can contact the Essex Safeguarding Children Board on (0345) 603 7627 or Children’s Social Services via (0345) 606 1212.

Should you, or an under 18, require support and/or advice, please contact Childline on (0800) 1111 or the NSPCC via (0808) 800 500. For non-urgent safeguarding concerns, please E-Mail safeguarding@essexfa.com, where your E-Mail will be responded to upon our return. Further information on safeguarding in football can also be found here.

GET IN TOUCH

Safeguarding Manager

Helen Hever: (01245) 393098, helen.hever@essexfa.com, Child Welfare Enquiries (Advice, Referrals), Safeguarding Children, Respect

Safeguarding Support Officer

Emily Reece: (01245) 393093, emily.reece @essexfa.com, Monitoring Compliance and Good/Poor Practice, Safeguarding Visits, Mental Health First Aider

Safeguarding Enquiries: safeguarding@essexfa.com

Senior Safeguarding Lead

Brendan Walshe: (01245) 465271

Deputy Senior Safeguarding Lead

Nick Emery: (01245) 393077

Board Safeguarding Champion

Matt Clare

NSPCC: (0808) 800 5000
Local Safeguarding Children (Outside Office Hours): (0845) 606 1212
Childline: (0800) 11 11
Police: 999

If you're IMMEDIATELY concerned about a child’s welfare, contact the Police or Social Services on (0845) 603 7634 (office hours) or (0845) 606 1212 (outside office hours).

FA DBS Unit: (0845) 2515000, fachecks@thefa.com

We place the safeguarding and welfare of young people high on our agenda. It's the responsibility of every adult involved in football, thus every club is required to endorse and adhere to The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy.

It’s important to remember that every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, or adult at risk, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse.

We offer a range of safeguarding services and training to help create a safe and enjoyable football experience for everyone. We ensure safeguarding requirements are met as a requirement of club affiliation and we support clubs to maintain these standards. This includes making unannounced safeguarding visits to clubs.

At the beginning of each season, all clubs need to name a Club Welfare Officer (CWO). We recognise that, without volunteer CWOs, football in Essex wouldn't have as many safeguards in place. These people, who are Disclosure and Barring Service- checked (DBS), will be able to advise you of any concerns you may have regarding young people.

They will have completed the Safeguarding Children Course, enabling them to be able to deal with welfare issues. As well as a CWOs, your league also has a League Welfare Officer. The FA use DBSs, which are conducted on an individual to make sure they do not have any convictions which might mean they are not safe to work with young people. CWOs can also complete a Welfare Officer Workshop.