Blackpool Wren Rovers FC (the “Club”) is committed to making football safe, welcoming and enjoyable. We put the welfare of every child first and work to protect adults at risk of harm. We expect everyone connected with the Club to treat others with dignity, respect and fairness, on and off the pitch.
\nSafeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns will be taken seriously, acted on promptly and shared with the people who need to know. No one needs to decide whether abuse has occurred before reporting a concern. We will listen, take proportionate steps to reduce risk and work with The FA, Lancashire FA and statutory agencies when needed.
\n" }, { "id": "who-and-what-this-policy-covers", "num": "2", "title": "Who and what this policy covers", "html": "This policy applies to Club officers, Club Directors, employees, coaches, team managers, volunteers, match officials acting for the Club, players, parents and carers, spectators, contractors and anyone representing or attending a Club activity. It covers training, matches, travel, tours, events, online activity and use of Club facilities.
\nA child is anyone under 18. A 16- or 17-year-old remains a child for safeguarding purposes, including when playing in an adult team or acting as a young leader, referee or volunteer. The Club will apply the appropriate child safeguards to them.
\nAn adult at risk of harm is, in FA guidance, an adult with care and support needs who is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and, because of those needs, is unable to protect themselves from that risk. Disability or age alone does not mean that an adult is an adult at risk. Everyone is entitled to respectful treatment and a safe football environment.
\n" }, { "id": "the-standards-we-commit-to", "num": "3", "title": "The standards we commit to", "html": "The Club Directors have overall responsibility for safeguarding. They will approve this policy, appoint a suitable Club Welfare Officer (CWO), give the CWO access to the Club Directors, provide appropriate support and resources, and review safeguarding at least annually. Where the Club runs youth teams, a CWO is required under FA grassroots football requirements.
\nThe CWO is the Club’s designated safeguarding contact and supports the Club to apply FA safeguarding requirements. The CWO will be approachable, act in the interests of welfare, handle information discreetly, keep appropriate records, seek advice from Lancashire FA’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), and refer concerns through the proper channels. The CWO does not investigate allegations or decide whether abuse has happened.
\nEvery person covered by this policy must follow it and the relevant codes of conduct, maintain appropriate boundaries, report concerns immediately, and cooperate with safeguarding action. Reporting a concern in good faith will not lead to retaliation or disadvantage.
\n" }, { "id": "safer-people-recruitment-and-learning", "num": "5", "title": "Safer people, recruitment and learning", "html": "The Club will use safer recruitment appropriate to each role. This includes a clear role description, identity and suitability checks, an appropriate conversation or interview, references where appropriate, induction and ongoing supervision. The Club will follow current FA and legal requirements when deciding whether a role is eligible for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and which level of check applies. A DBS check will not be requested where the role is not eligible.
\nPeople in roles requiring a DBS check must complete the appropriate FA process and be confirmed as suitable before undertaking activities that require that check. The Club will keep safeguarding qualifications and checks under review and arrange role-appropriate safeguarding learning, including any training currently required by The FA or Lancashire FA.
\nThe CWO must meet the current FA suitability, training and checking requirements for the role. The Club Directors will ensure coaches, managers and volunteers know how to recognise and report concerns before they begin their responsibilities, and refresh that information regularly.
\n" }, { "id": "safer-football-practice", "num": "6", "title": "Safer football practice", "html": "Adults must act in a way that is fair, respectful and appropriate to their role. Physical contact must be necessary, proportionate, explained where possible and in the participant’s interests. Adults must not form inappropriate relationships with children or use a position of trust to pursue personal, sexual or financial contact. Sexual activity or an inappropriate relationship between a person in a position of trust and a 16- or 17-year-old is prohibited and must be reported.
\nThe Club will plan supervision for the age, number, needs and activity of participants, follow current FA ratios and competition requirements, and avoid placing a child alone with an adult wherever reasonably possible. Where one-to-one contact cannot be avoided, it must be necessary, visible or otherwise transparent, time-limited and recorded or agreed with a parent/carer as appropriate. Children must not be left without an agreed responsible adult at the end of an activity.
\nThe Club will plan changing-room arrangements to protect privacy and dignity. Adults must not change at the same time as children, and adults must not enter a changing area while children are changing unless there is a genuine welfare or safety need. Any necessary entry should be planned, explained, limited to what is needed and, where practicable, involve another suitable adult. Photography or filming in changing rooms is prohibited.
\nTrips, tournaments, overnight stays and transport must be planned in advance with suitable supervision, risk assessment, parent/carer information and consent, emergency details and clear conduct expectations. Adults should not transport a child alone unless unavoidable and agreed in advance with the parent/carer, with the journey and arrangements made transparent. Drivers must be appropriately licensed and insured.
\nClub communication with children must be transparent, appropriate to age and necessary for football. Where practicable, messages should include a parent/carer or another Club adult, or use an approved Club channel that can be overseen. Adults must not use private disappearing messages, request intimate images, or communicate with a child in a way they would not be comfortable sharing with the CWO or parent/carer.
\nThe Club will explain when and why it takes or uses photographs or video, follow current FA guidance and data protection requirements, respect consent and any safety restriction, and store images securely for no longer than needed. Images must not be taken in changing or showering areas. Match filming or live streaming involving children requires prior safeguarding consideration, appropriate permissions and compliance with competition and facility rules.
\nThe Club will act on bullying, cyberbullying, discriminatory abuse, hazing and retaliation. Concerns may be reported by the person affected, a witness, parent/carer or any Club member. We will take the concern seriously, consider the individual’s immediate safety and support needs, record what is reported and take proportionate action under Club, league and FA procedures. A concern may also require referral to Lancashire FA, The FA or statutory services.
\n" }, { "id": "how-to-respond-to-a-concern-or-disclosure", "num": "7", "title": "How to respond to a concern or disclosure", "html": "If a child or adult tells you something worrying, stay calm and listen. Take them seriously, reassure them they have done the right thing by speaking, and do not blame them. Do not promise secrecy or a particular outcome. Avoid leading questions or investigating; ask only what is needed to understand immediate safety. Explain that you will share the information with people who can help.
\nDo not confront the person whose conduct is the subject of a concern, promise confidentiality, attempt to interview witnesses, or delay a referral while seeking proof. The CWO or Club Directors must not handle a concern internally where it should be referred to statutory agencies or football safeguarding authorities.
\n" }, { "id": "recording-confidentiality-and-fair-process", "num": "8", "title": "Recording, confidentiality and fair process", "html": "Safeguarding information will be stored securely and shared only with people who need it to protect someone or respond to the concern. Confidentiality is important but is not absolute: information may need to be shared without consent where someone is at significant risk, a child may be at risk, a serious offence may have occurred, or sharing is otherwise lawful and necessary. For adults, the Club will consider the person’s wishes, consent, capacity for the specific decision and safety, and seek advice where needed.
\nThe Club will record decisions, referrals, risk-management steps and reasons for sharing or not sharing information. Records will be retained and disposed of securely in line with applicable law, FA requirements and the Club’s data protection arrangements. Safeguarding and any disciplinary process will be handled fairly and separately where required. Any interim step to reduce risk is not a finding of guilt.
\n" }, { "id": "whistleblowing-complaints-and-review", "num": "9", "title": "Whistleblowing, complaints and review", "html": "Anyone who believes a concern is being ignored, handled unsafely or involves a senior Club official may report directly to Lancashire FA’s DSO, The FA at safeguarding@TheFA.com, Blackpool Council, the police or the NSPCC as appropriate. You do not need to use the Club’s internal route first. The Club will not retaliate against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.
\nSafeguarding complaints about the Club’s handling of a concern should be made to the Club Directors. If the complaint concerns a Club Director or the CWO and there is no independent Club contact, report directly to Lancashire FA or The FA. Complaints do not replace urgent safeguarding referrals.
\nThe Club Directors will review this policy at least once each year and sooner following a significant concern, relevant change in FA guidance or law, or learning from a case. The current version will be made available to members, parents/carers, participants and volunteers, and the CWO contact details will be easy to find.
\n" }, { "id": "reporting-contacts", "num": "10", "title": "Reporting contacts", "html": "| Club Welfare Officer (CWO) | Alan Lowe | 07563 220071 | secretary@blackpoolwrenrovers.co.uk |
|---|---|
| Lancashire FA Designated Safeguarding Officer | Rachael Murphy | 01772 237137 | info@lancashirefa.com |
| The FA Safeguarding Case Management Team | safeguarding@TheFA.com |
| Blackpool Children’s Services | 01253 477299 | Out of hours: 01253 477600 |
| Blackpool Adult Social Care | 01253 477800 | Out of hours: 01253 477600 |
| Police / emergency services | 999 for immediate danger or urgent emergency; 101 for non-emergency police matters. |
| NSPCC Helpline | 0808 800 5000 | Advice if worried about a child and unable to reach football safeguarding contacts. |
If the person of concern is the CWO, a Club Director or someone who controls the Club’s response, bypass that person and report directly to the County FA DSO, The FA or statutory services.
\n" }, { "id": "reference-guidance", "num": null, "title": "Reference guidance", "html": "This Club policy is informed by current FA grassroots safeguarding guidance and the FA club policy templates. It is a Club policy and does not replace the FA Handbook, County FA procedures, statutory referral duties or the need to seek safeguarding advice for a specific case.
\nBlackpool Wren Rovers FC (the “Club”) will take reasonable and proportionate steps to protect the health, safety and welfare of everyone affected by Club activities. This includes players, parents and carers, coaches, managers, staff, volunteers, visiting teams, match officials, spectators, contractors and other visitors.
\nThe Club will identify foreseeable hazards, assess the risks, put sensible controls in place and review them when circumstances change. Safety is a shared responsibility: anyone may raise a concern, and any coach, manager or Club lead may stop an activity where they reasonably believe a serious risk is present.
\n" }, { "id": "scope-and-policy-ownership", "num": "2", "title": "Scope and policy ownership", "html": "This policy applies to Club training, matches, events, travel organised by the Club, and any clubhouse, pitch, changing room, kitchen, equipment or other facility that the Club owns, manages, hires or uses. The Club will coordinate with venue owners, leagues, visiting teams and contractors where responsibilities are shared.
\nThe Club Directors hold overall responsibility for health and safety. They will approve this policy, appoint a competent Health and Safety Lead, make suitable resources available and ensure significant risks and actions are reviewed. The extent of the Club’s responsibility depends on its control of the activity, equipment and premises; the Club will clarify shared duties with the relevant owner or organiser.
\n" }, { "id": "responsibilities", "num": "3", "title": "Responsibilities", "html": "Coordinate risk assessments, inspection records, first-aid arrangements, incident reporting and follow-up actions. Advise the Directors and activity leads when controls need improving. The lead must bring urgent or unresolved risks to a Director without delay. The role does not replace the legal duties of an employer, premises owner or other responsible person.
\nFollow safety instructions, use equipment as intended, wear suitable clothing and footwear, supervise children who are in their care, and report hazards or injuries promptly. No one may deliberately interfere with safety equipment or use equipment that has been marked out of service.
\n" }, { "id": "risk-assessment-and-safe-activity-planning", "num": "4", "title": "Risk assessment and safe activity planning", "html": "Before a new or materially changed activity, the Club will identify what could cause harm, who could be affected, how serious the risk could be, what controls are needed, who is responsible and when actions must be completed. Significant findings will be recorded and shared with the people who need them.
\nAssessments will consider the activity, age and number of participants, experience and supervision, venue and access, equipment, weather and light, first-aid needs, traffic and spectators, children and people who may need additional support, and any shared-use arrangements. Activity leads will carry out a proportionate visual check before each session and follow any written venue assessment or safety plan.
\nRisk assessments are working documents. They must be reviewed after an incident or near miss, when equipment or facilities change, when new information arises, or when the existing controls may no longer be effective. The Health and Safety Lead will keep the current records accessible to the Directors and relevant activity leads.
\n" }, { "id": "pitch-goals-and-equipment", "num": "5", "title": "Pitch, goals and equipment", "html": "The Club will assess first-aid needs for its activities, considering likely injuries, participant numbers and ages, location, access for emergency services, duration and available facilities. It will provide appropriate first-aid equipment and ensure activity leads know how to access it and how to summon emergency services. Where the assessment shows a need for trained first aiders, suitable cover will be arranged and checked before the activity starts.
\nActivity leads must know how to contact emergency services and how to guide them to the correct entrance or pitch. In an emergency:
\nFirst-aid provision is not a substitute for emergency services. The Club will not ask an untrained person to provide treatment beyond their competence. Where an AED is available, its location and access instructions must be known to activity leads.
\n" }, { "id": "facilities-fire-and-housekeeping", "num": "7", "title": "Facilities, fire and housekeeping", "html": "The Club will use only facilities that are suitable for the activity and available under the venue’s arrangements. Before use, activity leads should check that access routes, stairs, changing rooms, toilets and spectator areas are reasonably clear and safe. Spillages, broken glass and other hazards must be isolated and reported; do not leave a hazard unattended while waiting for someone else to act.
\nWhen using a clubhouse, kitchen or other building, everyone must follow the venue’s fire instructions. Keep exits and escape routes clear, know the alarm and assembly point, and do not use equipment or appliances with visible damage. Only people authorised and competent to do so may operate kitchen equipment or handle cleaning substances. Follow product instructions and store chemicals securely in labelled containers.
\nThe Club will clarify with the premises owner who is responsible for inspections, maintenance, fire risk assessments and emergency systems. Club users must report defects promptly and must not alter fire doors, alarms, electrical equipment or other safety systems.
\n" }, { "id": "traffic-travel-welfare-and-weather", "num": "8", "title": "Traffic, travel, welfare and weather", "html": "Plan arrivals, drop-off and parking so vehicles and pedestrians are separated where the site allows. Drivers must follow site signs and directions, park only in authorised areas and avoid blocking emergency access. Children should be supervised around moving vehicles and car parks.
\nClub-organised travel must be planned with suitable drivers, vehicles, seatbelts, permissions and emergency contacts. Drivers must hold an appropriate licence and insurance. The Club will follow relevant safeguarding arrangements when transporting children.
\nActivity leads must consider heat, cold, high winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain, poor visibility and pitch condition. They may pause, relocate or cancel an activity where conditions create a safety risk. Participants should bring suitable clothing, water and any personal medication they need; relevant medical or access information should be shared with the activity lead where necessary for safe participation.
\n" }, { "id": "incident-reporting-monitoring-and-improvement", "num": "9", "title": "Incident reporting, monitoring and improvement", "html": "All injuries, illnesses, near misses, equipment failures and unsafe conditions must be reported to the activity lead or Health and Safety Lead as soon as possible. The Club will record enough information to understand what happened, identify contributing factors, decide on corrective action and check that the action is completed. Serious incidents must be escalated to a Director promptly.
\nWhere the Club is an employer or otherwise has a reporting duty, the responsible person will assess whether an incident must be reported under RIDDOR and make any required report within the applicable deadline. Accident records and personal information will be stored securely and shared only with people who need them.
\nThe Directors will review incidents, inspection findings and risk assessments to identify recurring issues and improve controls. Everyone is encouraged to report a concern in good faith; no person will be criticised for stopping an activity because they reasonably believed it was unsafe.
\n" }, { "id": "site-and-emergency-information", "num": "10", "title": "Site and emergency information", "html": "| Health and Safety Lead | Mark Wenman |
|---|---|
| Main venue address | Brews Park, School Road, FY4 5DS |
| Ambulance access point | Front entrance, double gate |
| First-aid kit location | First Aid Room; additional kit behind the bar in Tilly's Bar |
| AED location | Outside changing rooms |
| Fire assembly point | Outside the front gate |
| Venue owner(s) | Oliver Perkins and Mark Watkins |
The activity lead must ensure current site-specific emergency information is available to the people running each session; this table is not a substitute for the venue’s own fire or emergency plan.
\n" }, { "id": "approval-and-review", "num": "11", "title": "Approval and review", "html": "This policy takes effect when approved by the Club Directors. The Directors will review it at least annually, after a significant incident or change to Club activities or facilities, and when relevant legal or FA guidance changes. The approved policy will be shared with players, parents and carers, coaches, managers, staff, volunteers and other people who need to follow it.
\n" }, { "id": "reference-guidance", "num": null, "title": "Reference guidance", "html": "This policy is informed by Health and Safety Executive guidance and The FA’s grassroots football venue and goalpost safety materials. Club-specific risk assessments, venue arrangements and activity plans must be used alongside this policy.
\nA booking is not confirmed until the Club has confirmed the date, start and finish times, pitch, facilities, price and any special conditions in writing. Enquiries, provisional holds and payment alone do not guarantee a booking. Block bookings are available by agreement with the Club. A block booking is confirmed only when the Club has agreed in writing the fixtures covered, dates, applicable prices, payment arrangements and any other conditions. Each fixture remains subject to the Club’s cancellation rights in this policy.
\nThe hirer may use only the pitch and facilities specifically listed in the Club’s written confirmation, and only for the stated fixture or activity. The hirer must not transfer, sublet or allow another organisation to use the booking without the Club’s prior written consent.
\nThe hirer must provide accurate information about the event, expected attendance, age groups, teams, officials and any equipment or additional facilities required. Any change requires the Club’s prior written approval and may change the price or conditions.
\nThe Club may set or change reasonable arrangements for access, parking, spectators, safeguarding, safety and site management. The hirer must follow directions from Club officials and must ensure that players, staff, officials, spectators and other invitees do the same.
\n" }, { "id": "hire-prices-and-included-facilities", "num": "2", "title": "Hire prices and included facilities", "html": "The Club sets hire prices at its discretion. As a guide, standard pitch hire starts at £100 per fixture and floodlit pitch hire starts at £150 per fixture, including use of the changing rooms. Each booking is different, and the price may vary according to the date, time, facilities requested and booking requirements. Contact the Club for a quote; the price for a booking is the price confirmed by the Club in writing.
\nUse of showers, the clubhouse and kitchen facilities are additional extras and are not included in the starting prices unless expressly included in the written confirmation. The Club sets the price and conditions for each extra at its discretion and will confirm them for the particular booking. Contact the Club for pricing. No extra may be used without written approval.
\nThe hirer must pay all confirmed charges by the date and using the method stated in the booking confirmation. Unless the Club agrees otherwise in writing, payment is due in full before the fixture. The Club may withhold access until payment has cleared and may cancel an unpaid booking after giving written notice that payment is overdue.
\nThe hirer is responsible for any additional cost agreed in writing, including extra time, additional facilities, cleaning, repairs or replacement of damaged property. No fee will be imposed unless its basis and amount or method of calculation were disclosed to and accepted by the hirer, except for a reasonable amount recoverable for proven loss or damage under applicable law.
\n" }, { "id": "cancellation-postponement-and-changes", "num": "3", "title": "Cancellation, postponement and changes", "html": "Hirer cancellation: the hirer must notify the Club in writing as soon as possible. Unless the Club’s written confirmation states a different cancellation schedule, the following applies: cancellation more than 7 full calendar days before kick-off receives a refund of amounts paid less any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred with the hirer’s prior approval; cancellation 7 full calendar days or fewer before kick-off receives no refund. A booking may be transferred to another date only with the Club’s written agreement and subject to availability; any price difference and reasonable, previously disclosed costs remain payable.
\nClub cancellation: the Club reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, suspend, restrict, relocate or change any booking at any time and for any reason. Where reasonably practicable, the Club will give notice as soon as it can. For an immediate safety or operational issue, notice may be given at the venue or by any available contact method. This right includes, without limitation, cancellation or change for pitch condition, weather, flooding, darkness, safety, safeguarding, maintenance, facility failure, staffing, a competing Club requirement, breach of this policy, public authority direction, emergency or any other operational or commercial reason.
\nIf the Club cancels a booking before it starts and does not offer a suitable replacement date or equivalent facility that the hirer accepts, the Club will refund the hire fee paid for the part of the booking that the Club has not provided. If the Club ends a booking after use has started, any refund will be limited to the unused portion of the hire fee, calculated pro rata by the booked time. These refunds are subject to any non-excludable rights the hirer has under law.
\nThe Club may offer a replacement date or facility, but the hirer is not required to accept it. A replacement booking is effective only when agreed in writing. The Club is not responsible for the hirer’s travel, preparation, lost revenue, third-party costs or other indirect losses, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
\nA fixture is not automatically cancelled by poor weather. The Club alone decides whether the pitch or facilities may be used, taking account of safety, ground conditions and any relevant governing-body or local authority direction. The hirer must not enter or use a closed area. Where the Club cancels or stops use under this clause, the refund/replacement terms above apply.
\nThe Club may also cancel immediately if the hirer gives materially inaccurate booking information, fails to pay, breaches this policy or a safety instruction, causes or permits abusive, discriminatory, threatening, illegal or dangerous conduct, or uses the site beyond the agreed purpose. The Club will consider the circumstances and may refuse access or require people to leave. Any refund will be determined under the terms above and applicable law; proven additional loss caused by the hirer may be recovered where lawful.
\nThe Club’s right to cancel is subject to applicable law. Nothing in this policy removes a right or remedy that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.
\n" }, { "id": "access-and-conduct", "num": "4", "title": "Access and conduct", "html": "Access is limited to the confirmed booking period, including any agreed set-up or clear-up time. The hirer must ensure everyone leaves promptly at the end of that period. Extra time requires advance written approval and may incur an additional charge.
\nThe hirer must supervise all participants and guests, maintain appropriate safeguarding arrangements, and ensure that children and vulnerable people are supervised by responsible adults. The Club does not provide coaching, event supervision, first aid or safeguarding personnel unless separately agreed in writing.
\nThe hirer must keep all persons within areas authorised for the booking, use suitable footwear and equipment, and comply with laws, league rules, safety instructions and reasonable Club directions. No smoking or vaping is permitted inside buildings. Alcohol, fireworks, pyrotechnics, amplified music, animals and commercial activity require advance written permission.
\nThe Club may refuse entry to or remove any person whose conduct or condition creates a safety, safeguarding, legal or serious disruption concern. The hirer remains responsible for the conduct of its invitees.
\n" }, { "id": "facilities-damage-and-cleanliness", "num": "5", "title": "Facilities, damage and cleanliness", "html": "The hirer must inspect the pitch and facilities on arrival and report any existing damage, defect or safety concern to the Club before use. The hirer must stop using an area and tell the Club immediately if a hazard or damage arises.
\nThe hirer must leave the pitch, changing rooms and any approved extras clean, tidy and secure, remove all belongings and rubbish, and return any keys or equipment as directed. Food preparation is permitted only where kitchen use has been approved in writing and all instructions are followed.
\nThe hirer is responsible for loss of or damage to Club property caused by the hirer or its participants, officials, spectators or other invitees, except to the extent caused by the Club’s own breach of legal duty. The Club may invoice the reasonable cost of repair, replacement or additional cleaning, providing a description of the loss and supporting details on request.
\n" }, { "id": "liability-insurance-and-incidents", "num": "6", "title": "Liability, insurance and incidents", "html": "The hirer must maintain appropriate public liability insurance for the activity and provide evidence if the Club requests it before the booking. The hirer is responsible for its own equipment and for arranging suitable supervision, risk assessment and first aid for its event.
\nThe hirer uses the facilities at its own risk, subject to the Club’s legal duties. The Club is not liable for loss, theft or damage to property brought onto the site, or for indirect or consequential loss, except where caused by the Club’s negligence, breach of contract or other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
\nNothing in this policy excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that the law does not allow to be excluded or limited. The hirer must promptly report any accident, injury, damage or serious incident to the Club and cooperate with any reasonable investigation.
\n" }, { "id": "data-acceptance-and-interpretation", "num": "7", "title": "Data, acceptance and interpretation", "html": "The Club will use booking contact details to administer the booking, communicate operational information and handle payment or incidents. The hirer must ensure it has authority to provide contact details for its representatives and will direct individuals to the Club for information about the Club’s privacy arrangements.
\nBy requesting and proceeding with a booking, the hirer confirms that it has read and accepts this policy and the written booking confirmation. If a booking-specific written term conflicts with this policy, the booking-specific term applies only where it expressly identifies the clause it varies and is agreed by the Club in writing.
\nIf any provision is found unenforceable, it will be read down only as far as needed to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply. This policy is governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights the hirer has.
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