From the Club Information Pack. This policy forms part of the pack that all members agree to when signing the Membership & Conduct Agreement.
What is Whistleblowing? — Whistleblowing is when a parent, player, volunteer, or member of club staff raises a concern about something they have witnessed or been made aware of that they believe to be wrong, unsafe, or inappropriate. This could relate to the conduct of a manager, coach, volunteer, or any other individual associated with the club.
Our Commitment — Gornal DC is committed to creating a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment for all of our players, parents, and volunteers. We take all concerns raised seriously and will always investigate them in a fair and discreet manner. No one who raises a genuine concern in good faith will be treated negatively as a result of doing so.
What Should You Report? — You should raise a concern if you witness or become aware of any of the following:
- Inappropriate behaviour towards a child or young person.
- Poor or abusive conduct by a manager, coach, or volunteer.
- Discrimination of any kind including in relation to race, disability, gender, or religion.
- Bullying, harassment, or intimidation.
- Any situation where you feel a child's safety or wellbeing may be at risk.
How to Raise a Concern — If you have a concern you would like to raise, please contact our Safeguarding Officer in the first instance. All concerns can be submitted by email and will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Safeguarding Officer: Sarah Wallis Email: safeguarding@gornaldc.com
If your concern relates to the Safeguarding Officer directly, or you do not feel comfortable contacting them, you may raise your concern with a committee member or contact the County FA directly.
What Happens Next? — Once a concern is received, we will acknowledge it promptly and begin an internal review. We will keep you informed of progress where appropriate. All concerns are treated seriously, investigated fairly, and handled with discretion throughout.
External Reporting — If you do not feel your concern has been dealt with appropriately, or if you believe a child is in immediate danger, you should contact the County FA, the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, or the local authority safeguarding team without delay.
Confidentiality — We will do everything we can to protect the identity of anyone who raises a concern. However, there may be circumstances where, in order to fully investigate a matter or protect a child, some information needs to be shared with relevant parties. We will always discuss this with you first where possible.
Last reviewed as part of Club Information Pack v1.2. Questions about this policy? Contact the club.