Reporting a Childs Concerns

Every coach at your club should be made fully aware of the procedure they should follow if a young player approaches them with concerns about someone’s behaviour towards them.

Once the young player has informed the coach directly of their concerns, the coach should;

1. Remain Calm. Assure the child that they are not to blame. Keep questions to a minimum and under no circumstances promise to keep this matter confidential. Move to point 2. 
2. Decide whether the child is in need of immediate medical assistance. If Yes go to point 3, if No go to point 5.
3. Transfer the child immediately to a medical facility. Move to point 4. 
4. Inform the medical staff there of the situation, they will then take the appropriate action. Move to point 5.
5. Is the child’s concern aimed at the person in charge? If Yes go to point 7, if No go to point 6.
6. Is the person in charge available? If Yes move to point 8, if No move to point 7.
7. Contact your local F.A, National F.A, your designated Child Abuse Helpline (for example NSPCC), Social Services
   and/or the Police. Move to point 9.
8. Report the incident to the person in charge. Move to point 10.
9. Follow the advice suggested by the agencies contacted. Move to point 10.
10. Create a full, detailed record of what has occurred and what action was taken. Move to point 11.
11. The coach has now done everything required of them. The incident will now be handled by the appropriate authorities.