We recognise that:

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY

• The welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount.

• All children and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion and/or sexual orientation (defined as Protected Characteristics within the Equality Act 2010) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.

• Working in partnership with children, adults at risk, and their family or support network is essential in promoting and embedding this policy. We will seek to safeguard children and adults at risk by:

• Providing safety and protection whilst in the care of BFC and BFCitC from all types of abuse or harm.

• Listening, responding, and acting appropriately and addressing matters through the correct procedures.

• Working closely with local statutory agencies and other partners to promote and safeguard the welfare of all. • Sharing information sensitively and timely and appropriately with relevant partner agencies.

• Providing targeted safeguarding training to all staff across BFC and BFCitC to ensure they are clear on their responsibilities, professional boundaries and appropriate behaviors.

• Implementing and monitoring ‘Safer Recruitment’ in accordance with local and government guidance and legislation. • Maintain documents confidentially in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

• Having a Safeguarding team who are visible, available, and responsive to requests for support, guidance, and advice.

The Club ensures that its Polices and Practice fully comply with Government Safeguarding Legislation for children, young people and adults at risk.

We also ensure that we adhere to the regulatory requirements set out by the Football Association and the Premier League. We have positive relationships with both Lancashire's Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Board along with our Local Authority Designated Officer and other safeguarding advisory agencies.

Our Head of Safeguarding provides quarterly reports to our Strategic Safeguarding Board, who keep the Board of Directors fully informed of our compliance with requirements and legislation.

Guidance for adults bringing children to matches.

Burnley FC is committed to ensuring that attending a football match is a positive, enjoyable experience for everyone.
When you are thinking about bringing a child to a match please read the following guidance here.

DOWNLOAD GUIDANCE HERE

Gary Russell – Head of Safeguarding 07435 946205 g.russell@burnleyfc.com

Burnley FC have comprehensive policies in place to ensure all staff understand what to do to ensure your safety, we also have a child friendly version to support children and young people to understand how they can keep themselves safe.

Children's Safeguarding Policy

Easy Read Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Adults Policy

Anti Bullying Policy

Every Club has a Dedicated Football Officer (DFO) here at Burnley FC we have Ross Bosdorff, who has been a Police Officer for almost 20 years.

In 2018 Ross became the DFO for Burnley FC.

His role isnt just arresting and banning supporters although you will be aware that this does play a part from time to time. He is the link between Lancashire Police and the football club all year round creating risk assessments, monitoring intelligence and dealing with our supporter groups.

Ross works closely with all matchday staff, from the operations and safety officer to the stewarding teams, to Burnley in the Community and the supporter liaison and safeguarding teams.

Ross is available via the Club's SLO at slo@burnleyfc.com or safeguarding team safeguarding@burnleyfc.com - whether it is to report a crime, ask a question or just for a chat he is more than happy to take the time out for our supporters.

A message from Ross "I look forward to seeing you all on a matchday when we get back to normality, in the meantime thanks for all your help and stay safe"

Burnley FC demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding by having in place a team of experienced safeguarding staff who work across all areas of the Club and Community Trust to ensure that anyone taking part in our activities do so risk free and safe from harm.

If you are worried about something, feel unsafe, at risk or are worried that someone else may be at risk you should contact us.

safeguarding@burnleyfc.com

Gary Russell – Head of Safeguarding 07435 946205 g.russell@burnleyfc.com

Sharon Swindells – Safeguarding Manager 07809 902145 s.swindells@burnleyfc.com

Melanie Howarth – Academy Safeguarding Manager 07551 428377 melanie.howarth@burnleyfc.com

If you think it may be an emergency or someone is in immediate danger you should dial 999.

Other useful contacts

Premier League Safeguarding - Premier League Safeguarding, Rules & Policy Information

English Football League EFL – safeguarding@efl.com

Football Association(FA) – safeguarding@TheFA.com

Lancashire County Council Social Services 0300 123 6720 – 24 hour helpline

Local Area Designated Officer - 01772 536694

Child line – 0800 1111

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247

Mind – 0300 123 3393

Confidential anti-terrorist helpline – 0800 789 321

There are also useful resources on a number of subjects here:

NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit - https://thecpsu.org.uk/

Think you know – advice and guidance to safeguard children on and off line - https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Ann Craft Trust – A leading UK authority on safeguarding adults and young people at risk - https://www.anncrafttrust.org/

CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection - https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

Domestic Violence UK - https://domesticviolenceuk.org/

Mind – Mental Health Charity - https://www.mind.org.uk/

Heads Together – offer a wide range of signposting to mental health support for all - https://www.headstogether.org.uk/get-support/

English Football League EFL Safeguarding: Safeguarding – The English Football League (efl.com)