Safeguarding Statement
Thorpe St Andrew FC Women & Girls is an FA Charter Standard Club, and the safety, well-being and happiness of every child, young person and vulnerable adult in our care is our absolute highest priority.
Our Commitment
We are fully committed to the FA’s safeguarding standards and guidelines, and we take our legal and moral responsibility to safeguard all members extremely seriously. We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, to be protected from harm, and to enjoy football in a positive, secure and inclusive environment — free from abuse, bullying, discrimination or neglect.
What We Do
We have clear policies, procedures and rules in place to make sure everyone stays safe, including:
- All coaches, volunteers and officials undergo full background checks (DBS) before working with our members
- All club staff and volunteers complete mandatory safeguarding training and refresh this regularly
- We have a dedicated, fully trained Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) who leads on all safeguarding matters
- We follow strict codes of conduct for players, coaches, parents and spectators
- We have clear procedures for reporting, recording and responding to any concerns or allegations — no matter how small they may seem
- We promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all members are encouraged to speak up if they have any worries
Zero Tolerance
We have a zero tolerance approach to any form of abuse, harm or behaviour that puts a child or young person at risk. Any concerns or reports are taken seriously, acted on immediately, and referred to the relevant authorities where required. We do not tolerate bullying, harassment, discrimination or poor behaviour of any kind, from anyone involved with the club.
How to Raise a Concern
If you have any concern about the safety or well-being of a child or young person, or if you witness or experience behaviour that worries you, please speak up straight away. You do not need proof — if you are worried, we need to know.
You can contact our Club Safeguarding Officer in confidence at any time:
safeguarding@thorpewomenandgirls.co.uk
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the Police on 999 straight away.
You can also report concerns directly to the Norfolk County FA Safeguarding Team, or to the NSPCC FA Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Our Safeguarding Officer
Our dedicated Club Safeguarding Officer is fully trained, independent, and available to all members, parents, coaches and volunteers. Their role is to make sure all safeguarding rules are followed, to support anyone with concerns, and to work with the FA and other agencies to keep everyone safe.
Working Together
Safeguarding works best when everyone works together. We expect all parents, carers, members and visitors to support our club’s safety rules, to report any worries, and to help us create a safe, fun environment where everyone can enjoy football.
This statement sits alongside our full Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, Privacy and GDPR policies, and is reviewed regularly to make sure it meets all current standards and legal requirements.