What to do if a player tells me a problem
If a player tells you about a problem concerning alleged abuse, they have shown you a great deal of confidence in telling you. You should therefore show them all due consideration.

 It is very important that you take their concern seriously and let them know that you take it seriously and that they have done the right thing in talking to you.

 You must not promise that you will tell no one else as you may well have to let other people know and by making a promise, you may have to break that child's trust. You can re-assure them that you will be as discreet as possible and tell them if you decide to tell someone else and explain your reason for doing so.

 You must then make a decision about whether abuse or poor practice has occurred. If this is so, you should contact the Child Welfare Officer. If you are unsure, then, it's safest to contact the Child Welfare Officer just in case and to cover yourself.

 If you think the Child Welfare Officer has not been able to help you, you should then contact the County Welfare Officer. This is currently a Mr. Hugh Feltham who can be contacted at the Gloucestershire Football Association Headquarters on (01454) 615888.

 Make sure there is a paper trail
Once a concern has been raised, it is important you keep a paper trail so that you have accurate evidence to pass onto the relevant authorities. The following are guidelines from The Football Association of what information you should find out and write down: -

1. Who is involved?
a) Who is alleged to be exhibiting poor practice/abuse?
b) who has experienced poor practice?
c) who witnessed the incident/expressed concern?
d) Who reported the incident/concern
e) Who else was involved or present?

 2. What happened?
a) What are the details of the incident/concerns?
(ensure you distinguish between fact and opinion)
b) What was witnessed or observed?
c) What information is 2nd or 3rd hand or is believed, rather than known to have happened?

 3. When?
a) When did the incident occur?
b) When did the concerns begin/for how long?
(n.b. record dates and times)

 4. Where?
Where did the incident(s) happen?

 5. Why?
a) Why did the incident occur?
b) any background knowledge?
(ensure you distinguish between fact and opinion)

 What to do if a child or young person discloses to you
If a child or young person informs you directly that they are concerned about someone’s behaviour towards them, this is known as a disclosure. The person receiving the disclosure should:
• React calmly so as not to frighten the child or young person
• Tell the child or young person that he or she is not to blame and that he or she was right to tell
• Take what the child or young person says seriously
• If the child or young person needs immediate medical treatment, take them to hospital or telephone for an ambulance, inform doctors of concerns and ensure that they are aware that this is a child welfare issue
• Ensure the immediate safety of the child or young person
• Avoid leading the child or young person and keep any questions to the absolute minimum. Ask only what is necessary to ensure a clear understanding of what has been said
• Re-assure the child or young person but do not make promises of confidentiality or outcome, which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments
• In the event of suspicion of sexual abuse do not let the child bathe or shower until given permission to do so. Washing can destroy valuable evidence
• Inform the parents/carers immediately unless you have specific reason not to, e.g. the child has named the parent/carer as the abuser. If this is the case then contact the designated person. If they are unavailable contact local Social Services or the Police for guidance. The FA Reporting Procedures Whether informed directly by a child or young person, via a third party, or through your own observations within a football setting, you should then contact your Child Welfare Officer.

In case you need further advice, you can contact the following helpline: -

The FA/NSPCC Helpline
(Tel: 0808 800 5000)
24 hour free and confidential telephone Helpline that provides counselling,
information and advice to anyone concerned about a child or young person at risk of ill treatment or abuse.
For those with a hearing difficulty, there is a text phone telephone number:
0800 056 0566