Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do here at Avro Football Club. We have a committed Safeguarding Team that is responsible for both strategic and tactical aspects of safeguarding procedures and ways of working for all our youth teams.

Avro Football Club aims to create and maintain a safe playing environment where all children, young people and adults at risk feel safe, secure, and valued and know they will be listened to and taken seriously. Our club is committed to the principles outlined in all primary safeguarding legislation and FA Guidance. And together, as a Club we will adhere and implement all relevant policies and procedures which promote safeguarding and commit to protecting the emotional and physical well-being of children, young people, and adults at risk.

Everyone is accountable for safeguarding – so we have developed a rigorous strategy to safeguard vulnerable children, young people, and adults at risk. Everyone at the club is aware of their responsibility to protect and advance the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk, whether through our players—boys, girls, women, and men—on the field, our supporters at home games at The Vestacare Stadium or elsewhere, events we host, or community support initiatives carried out by Avro FC in the Community. We are honoured to serve this community organisation and we will keep working to create a workplace where everyone is aware of their role in safeguarding children and adults, with an understanding of how to report issues where concerns or disclosures are made. We want everyone to appreciate the value of safeguarding, thus we work to integrate these into our club’s principles and culture.

Our passionate Safeguarding Team:

The club also has several Designated Safeguarding Officers in place with assigned safeguarding responsibilities to allow for more efficient coverage of activities.

While Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, our Safeguarding Team hold specific strategic and operational responsibilities for Safeguarding for example, but not limited to:

Raising Safeguarding awareness and promoting safer working and playing practices that create inclusive and welcoming environments where everyone is safe, valued and respected.

Supporting and guiding Staff and Volunteers on Safeguarding matters.

Identifying current and emerging Safeguarding risks and vulnerabilities and effective mitigation measures.

Supporting the delivery of safer recruitment and procurement policies and procedures.

Leading the response to reported Safeguarding concerns and allegations.

Leading regular reviews of our Safeguarding policies, practices and awareness-raising measures, ensuring they remain effective.

Ensuring that the Senior Leadership Team receives regular updates on safeguarding risks, reported Safeguarding concerns and allegations as well as progress against key areas of work.

Fostering a culture of partnership work to strengthen Safeguarding arrangements internally and across the game.

Safeguarding Arrangements for Events:

In line with our Safeguarding Policy all children under the age of 16, must be accompanied by an adult to all events taking place at The Vestacare Stadium. Entry will not be permitted into the ground if this is not the case.

If a child becomes lost during an event, this MUST be reported to the control room immediately. In the event the control room is not in operation, the Event Manager or Person in Control must be notified imminently.

If a lost child becomes known to a steward at any point during an event, they are to notify the control room straight away and follow internal protocols and procedures.