Thatcham Town Harriers Football Club recognises and accepts its responsibility for the safety and welfare of it's members by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. The Club accepts and conforms to the Football Association Child Protection Policy, it's procedures and best practice guidelines. The Club will also ensure a programme of Football Association accredited training for it's Team Managers and Coaches.

The Club is committed to creating and preserving the safest possible environment for children to play football. It is the duty of all Club Officials, Team Managers, Coaches and any other individuals directly or indirectly involved with our teams to be aware of and help prevent the abuse which children can suffer - neglect, physical, sexual and emotional.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Our members welfare is, and will always be the paramount consideration. The Club will ensure that there are practices and procedures in place to reduce the risk of harm to our members.

The Club Committee has appointed Jason Cleary, jasoncleary35@aol.com, as the Club Welfare Officer. Jason accepts the responsibility for monitoring Club procedures in relation to Child Protection issues.

The Club Child Protection Policy is based on that of the Football Association with the addition of local contact details and website links to organisation who offer advice. We follow the FA best practice guidelines for recruiting volunteers, they complete an application form, we take up references and those in regular contact with children are subject to a CRB check via the FA CRB unit.

Parents and new members joining the Club will be made aware of our policy and procedures in their membership pack and through this website.

More information is available from the FA Website:

http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/WhatWeDo/FootballSafe
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/WhatWeDo/FootballSafe/Downloads.aspx

Thatcham Town Harriers Committee