Safeguarding Policy - Singapore Football Club

Singapore Football Club (SFC) – Safeguarding children and young people.

Singapore Football Club (SFC) acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person (young/minor athlete) is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We aim to follow the guidance issued by the Safe Sport commission Singapore.

“Safe Sport Unified Code” defines, describes and explains the forms of abuse and harassment which may take place in the sporting environment that can be found at www.safesport.sg

“Safe Sport Programme” is a framework for applying, implementing and enforcing the Safe Sport Unified Code. It also includes support in policymaking, training and education and a case management service for member organisations.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION:

Definitions:

“Persons” refers to all individuals employed by, contracted by or engaged in activities with SFC or a Member, including but not limited to employees, interns, contractors, board members, committee members, athletes, coaches, support personnel, volunteers, technical officials, convenors, managers, administrators and participants (including spectators, parents and guardians) in events hosted, organised or attended by SFC.

This Policy applies to Persons’ conduct during the business, activities, and events of the Singapore football club and its Members, including, but not limited to, competitions, practices, trials, training camps, travel, activities, and events including any workshops and meetings.

This Policy also applies to Persons’ conduct outside of the business, activities, and events of SFC and its Members when such conduct adversely affects the organisation’s relationships (and the work and sport environment) or is detrimental to the image and reputation of SFC.

THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE SFC SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY ARE THAT:-

The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential. We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participants in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. Singapore Football Club recognizes that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club. Singapore Football Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.
Safeguarding incidents can happen anywhere and safeguarding young athletes is everyone’s responsibility.
We believe that every child, regardless of age, always has and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from being physically or psychologically harmed.
We believe that children must receive the right help at the right time to address risks and prevent issues escalating.
Children (defined as those up to the age of 18) regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion, or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection. All children have a right to be heard and to have their wishes and feelings considered.
At SFC we remain vigilant about safeguarding concerns and maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here.
We provide regular staff training to raise knowledge and awareness, ensuring staff are fully aware of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting concerns or abuse.
Working in partnership with external agencies (Safe Sport Commission SG) is essential to supporting children and families.
Parents/carers are to be kept aware of their role in child protection and safeguarding; working with families as a matter of good practice to inform them of any referrals made, unless it is agreed that doing so may/will put the scholar at risk from harm.
Every complaint or suspicion of abuse from within or outside the Academy will be taken seriously and will be referred to designated officer(s), or the police if the threshold for reporting is considered to be met.
Members of SFC will be made aware of the clubs code of conduct and it shall be available to access.

ENSURING WE PRACTICE SAFE RECRUITMENT IN CHECKING THE SUITABILITY OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH CHILDREN.
1. Completion of required recruitment suitability/vetting in line with any host organisations requirements.
1. In the absence of host organisation vetting Singapore Football Club (SFC) will require a declaration form to be completed by all staff (use of Safe sport commission SG proforma).

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY. If you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.

2.1 If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concern to the trained & designated Club Safeguarding Officer.

If the issue is one of poor practice the Club Safeguarding Officer will either deal with the matter themselves, or seek advice from the Safe Sport commission SG.
- If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible, contact the Safeguarding Officer first, then immediately contact the Police. Please follow Safe Sport commission guidelines for reporting.
- If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern.
- Immediate safety is always the primary concern.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Club Safeguarding Officer (completion of Safe sport commission SA officer training):

Dom Lane – SafeSFC@Singaporefootballlcub.com

Legislation and guidance: This policy is based on consideration of the safeguarding responsibilities of SFC and Guidance from Safe Sport commission SG documentation and the Safe Sport Unified Code.
A Person commits a breach of this Policy when they, either alone or in conjunction with another, engages in any conduct which constitutes Misconduct under Article 4 of the Unified Code:
a. Offences Under Domestic Law
b. Sexual Misconduct (e.g. Sexual Harassment, Sexual Contact without Consent, Sexual Communications)
c. Psychological & Physical Misconduct (e.g. Bullying, Harassment, Hazing)
d. Other Inappropriate Contact (e.g. Grooming, Intimate Relationships, Other Inappropriate Conduct) e. Misconduct related to Process (e.g. False Reporting, Abuse of Process, Retaliation)

Safe Sport unified code: https://www.safesport.sg/files/Safe%20Sport%20Unified%20Code%20v4.pdf

STAFF WILL BE AWARE OF:

4.1.Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment that encourages self-esteem and assertiveness – maintaining an ethos where Young athletes feel secure and have opportunities to talk and are listened to.

4.2 SFC systems which support safeguarding, including the code of conduct and the role of the Safeguarding officer.

4.3 The possible increased vulnerability of young athletes with additional needs and those who have been bullied or isolated by their peers in the past, e.g. SEND athletes.

4.4 When to report and share information, whom it should be shared with and will only disclose the information on a ‘need to know’ basis.

4.5 The different types of abuse and the effects of witnessing abuse and adverse childhood experiences.

4.6 Their professional responsibility to disclose information and they cannot promise a young athlete to say nothing/keep it a secret.

SOCIAL MEDIA, MOBILE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Effective communication concerning administrative issues among coaches, administrators and athletes is critical. However, the use of mobile devices, web-based applications and other forms of electronic communication increases the possibility of misunderstandings and improprieties.
- All electronic communications, including text messages, use of social media and emails, between Persons in Authority and athletes should be professional, appropriate, activity-related and transparent (e.g., team activities, schedules, competition).
- Any electronic communication between all Persons must be observant of healthy and appropriate boundaries.
- Minor Athlete Communications a. electronic communications to a team comprised of Minor Athletes by a Person in Authority shall also include one more additional Person in Authority.
- if a Minor Athlete communicates with a Person in Authority first, the Person in authority should respond to the Minor Athlete and copy another Person in Authority and/or the Minor Athlete’s parent(s) or legal guardians.
- Private electronic communications between Persons in Authority and Minor Athletes are expressly prohibited unless under emergency circumstances. Private electronic communication may include but are not limited to direct messages, email, text messages, and photos via Snapchat or Instagram.

CHANGING ROOM POLICY

Changing rooms and similar settings designated for changing (e.g., locker rooms, showers, toilets) may create a conducive environment for abuse and harassment to occur as participants are in various stages of undress and are usually less supervised. Adherence to the changing room policy is important to reduce the likelihood of Misconduct from occurring in the changing room and for the protection of Vulnerable Persons.
- Regular monitoring and supervision of the changing rooms will be conducted where reasonably feasible through the following methods: a. Posting a Person in Authority outside the changing room to ensure only approved personnel enter the changing room. b. Occasional and random checks on the changing rooms by a Person in Authority of the same gender (e.g., female to check on female changing rooms).
- Interactions in changing room and similar settings (e.g., shower, toilets) a. Any one-to-one meetings between a Person in Authority and a Minor Athlete in a changing room or similar space is strictly prohibited unless another adult is present. b. A Person in Authority must not shower with a Minor Athlete unless the Person is a personal care assistant or a parent/legal guardian.
- In the presence of a Minor Athlete or a Person from the opposite gender, any Person must not intentionally or recklessly be in a state of undress that exposes their chest, breasts, buttocks, groins or genitals to another Person.
- The use of photographic or recording devices, including voice and video recording, in changing rooms is strictly prohibited unless for the sole purpose of celebrating a team victory, sport accomplishment or team event. The following criteria must be met:

a. prior approval is sought and given;

b. two or more Persons in Authority are present; and

c. all Persons are fully clothed.

SAFE SPORT TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Training and Education is a key components of any abuse and misconduct prevention strategy. Awareness training provides participants with the necessary information to identify and prevent the occurrence of abuse and harassment in the sporting environment. All Persons should be empowered to report abuse and misconduct. To do so, all Persons should have a basic understanding of what constitutes a violation of the Safe Sport Policy and how to spot strategies used by offenders to target victims. Resources are available through Sport SG ED and Safe sport commission SG.
- Onboarding – As part of the onboarding process, Coaches are required to complete the online Safe Sport module on the SportSG-ED platform.

DISCLOSURE:

If a child/young athlete discloses a safeguarding issue to a member of the coaching staff:

Listen to and believe them and allow them time to talk freely and do not ask leading questions.

• Explain that the disclosure must be reported – it is important for members of staff to stress that they want to help by passing the information to the correct person and cannot keep it a secret.

•Staff should not take a decision as to whether or not the abuse has taken place.

• Stay calm and do not show that they are shocked or upset, validate the child.

• Tell the child they have done the right thing in telling, without saying they should have told sooner.

• Explain what will happen next and that the information will have to be passed on.

• Write up the conversation as soon as possible in the child’s own words. Sticking to the facts, without including any judgement, including as much detail as possible.

• The record should include the date, time and place of the conversation and the essence of what was said and done by whom and in whose presence.

• Any actions taken should be noted and the reasons.

• The record should be dated and signed by the person making it and should use names, not initials.

Report incident ASAP to the designated safeguarding officer.

All staff/coaches should be aware that children may not feel ready or know how to tell someone that they are being abused, exploited, or neglected, and/or they may not recognise their experiences as harmful. For example, children may feel embarrassed, humiliated, or they may be being threatened. This could be due to their vulnerability, disability and/or sexual orientation or language barriers. This should not prevent staff from having a professional curiosity and speaking to the Safeguarding officer if they have concerns about a child.

ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS

The majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated in isolated one-on-one situations. By reducing such interactions between Minor Athletes and adults, the risks of such abuse can be reduced. However, one-on-one time with a trusted adult is also a healthy and valuable part of participation. This policy assists with protecting Minor Athletes whilst allowing beneficial relationships to thrive.

9.1 One-on-One interactions (e.g. training) between Minor Athletes and Persons in Authority should be observable and at an interruptible distance by another adult.

9.2 Meetings between Persons in Authority and Minor Athletes should only occur if another adult is present.

9.3 If a one-on-one meeting takes place in an office, the door to the office must remain unlocked and open. If available, meetings should occur in an office with windows, blinds and/or curtains that must remain open for the duration of the meeting.

9.4 A closed-door meeting may be permitted to protect patient privacy if a mental health care professional or healthcare provider meets with a Minor Athlete and only under the following conditions:

a. the door must remain unlocked;

b. another adult must be present at the facility and informed that a closed door meeting is occurring; and

c. written consent by the Minor Athlete’s parent or guardian must be obtained prior to the provision of services.

Appendix 1 – Recognising Signs Of Abuse Categories of Abuse:

• Physical Abuse

• Emotional Abuse (including Domestic Abuse)

• Sexual Abuse

• Neglect

Signs Of Abuse In Children The following non-specific signs may indicate something is wrong:

• Significant change in behaviour

• Extreme anger or sadness

• Aggressive and attention-seeking behaviour

• Suspicious bruises with unsatisfactory explanations

• Lack of self-esteem

• Self-injury

• Depression

• Age inappropriate sexual behaviour

• Child Sexual Exploitation

Appendix 2: Child-on-Child Abuse

Safeguarding issues can manifest themselves via child-on-child abuse. Child-on-child abuse is any form of physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse, and coercive control, exercised between two or more children and within children’s relationships (both intimate and non-intimate). All staff working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of “it could happen here”. Staff should recognise that even if there are no reports, it does not mean that child-on-child abuse is not happening, it may be the case that it is just not being reported. Child-on-Child abuse is most likely to include, but may not be limited to:

• bullying (including cyberbullying);

• physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or causing physical harm;

• sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault (note that the starting point for such offences is that the matter should be passed to the police);

• sexual harassment, such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be stand-alone or part of a broader pattern of abuse; teenage relationship abuse

• Sending indecent images via device (also known as youth produced sexual imagery); and initiation/hazing type violence and rituals.

Date: 01/08/2023 Date of review: 01/08/2024

Singapore Football club