High Lane F.C.

Community Football for Everyone

Anti-Bullying

High Lane Football Club Anti-Bullying Policy

RATIONALE
High Lane Football Club (HLFC) is completely opposed to bullying and will not tolerate it. It is entirely contrary to the values and principles we work and live by. All members of the Football Club have a right to play football in a secure and caring environment. They {players/coaches/staff} also have a responsibility to contribute; in whatever way they can, to the protection and maintenance of such an environment.

 

MISSION STATEMENT
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all club members or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. WE ARE A TELLING CLUB. This means that any who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the Club Welfare Officer or any committee member.

High Lane Football Club is committed to playing its part to teach players to treat each other with respect.

 

PRINCIPLES

  • Players have a right to play and develop as footballers free from intimidation and fear.
  • The needs of the victim are paramount.
  • HLFC will not tolerate bullying behaviour.
  • Bullied players will be listened to.
  • Reported incidents will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

 

DEFINITION OF BULLYING
Bullying is an act of aggression, causing embarrassment, pain or discomfort to someone. It can take a number of forms;

  • EMOTIONAL – being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shinpads, threatening gestures.
  • PHYSICAL – Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, spitting or any use of violence.
  • SEXUAL – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
  • DISCRIMINATION – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, homophobic comments, jokes about people with disabilities, sexist comments
  • VERBAL – Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.

 It is an abuse of power. It can be planned and organised, or it may unintentional. It may be perpetrated by individuals or by groups of pupils.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS

The Responsibilities of Coaching Staff
Our staff will –

  • Foster in our players self-esteem, self-respect and respect for others
  • Demonstrate by example the high standards of personal and social behaviour we expect of our players.
  • Discuss bullying with all teams, so that every player learns about the damage it causes to both the child who is bullied and to the bully and the importance of telling a coach about bullying when it happens. (This will often be in response to events).
  • Be alert to signs of distress and other possible indications of bullying.
  • Listen to children who have been bullied, take what they say seriously and act to support and protect them.
  • Report suspected cases of bullying to Club Welfare Officer.
  • Follow up any complaint by a parent about bullying, and report back promptly and fully on the action, which has been taken.
  • Deal with observed instances of bullying promptly and effectively, in accordance with agreed procedures.

The Responsibilities of Players
We expect our pupils to:

  • Refrain from becoming involved in any kind of bullying, even at the risk of incurring temporary unpopularity.
  • Intervene to protect the player who is being bullied, unless it is unsafe to do so.
  • Report to a member of coaching staff any witnessed or suspected instances of bullying, to dispel any climate of secrecy and help to prevent further instances.

Anyone who becomes the target of bullies should:

  • Not suffer in silence, but have the courage to speak out, to put an end to their own suffering and that of other potential targets.

The Responsibilities of Parents
We ask our parents to support their children and the football club by:

  • Watching for signs of distress or unusual behaviour in their children, which might be evidence of bullying.
  • Advising their children to report any bullying to the Club Welfare Officer and explain the implications of allowing the bullying to continue unchecked, for themselves and for other players.
  • Advising their children not to retaliate violently to any forms of bullying.
  • Being sympathetic and supportive towards their children, and reassuring them that appropriate action will be taken;
  • Keep a written record of any reported instances of bullying
  • Informing the football club of any suspected bullying, even if their children are not involved;
  • Co-operating with the football club if their children are accused of bullying, try to ascertain the truth. And point out the implications of bullying, both for the children who are bullied and for the bullies themselves.

The Responsibilities of All
Everyone should work together to combat and, hopefully in time, to eradicate bullying.

 

HIGH LANE FC RESPONSE TO BULLYING

If HLFC decides that it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation the following procedure will be followed:

  1. Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
  2. If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up of Chairman, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, Committee members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed as a true account.
  3. The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent(s) and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
  4. If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time
  5. In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
  6. All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.

 

In the cases of adults reported to be bullying anyone within the club under 18

  1. The County Welfare Officer should always be informed and will advise on action to be taken where appropriate, this may include action by the FA Safeguarding Team.
  2. It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation is made regarding a team manager, official or coach, the FA’s Safeguarding Children Education Programme may be recommended.
  3. More serious cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children’s Social Care.

 

 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

  • Football Club Anti Bulling Policy
  • Coaches continuous professional development i.e. renewal of FA Safeguarding Course.
  • Training ground management
  • Match day management
  • Guidelines for records and sanctions