Safeguarding
Statement from Helen Gurman, Chief Executive Officer Burnley FC in the Community:
“We are completely committed to ensuring that all of our environments are safe for children, young people, adults at risk and our staff at all times. To do this we have a dedicated Safeguarding Team who become involved at the planning of all activities and remain involved throughout the provision of sessions, providing training and support to staff and participants.
“Should an incident, allegation or concern be reported we will take them seriously and respond in a timely, effective manner and take any actions recommended or necessary.”
Burnley FC is committed to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of anyone in our care. Children, Young People and adults at risk must be able to participate in our activities and events safely and without risk of harm.
We believe that safeguarding is the shared responsibility of everyone across our Club and we will work tirelessly to ensure the culture of safeguarding is embedded across all aspects of what we do.
We will ensure that our staff are the right people, in the right roles and we will do this through our robust recruitment process which will include appropriate checks, training and ongoing monitoring.
Our policies demonstrate our attitude to safeguarding and our commitment to good practice and managing concerns as they are reported.
The Community 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 Authority 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 monthly reports to our CEO and Safeguarding Board Lead, who will make sure that The Board are fully informed of our compliance with requirements and legislation.
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.
Gary Russell – Head of Safeguarding
07435 946205
g.russell@burnleyfc.com
Sharon Swindells – Safeguarding Manager
07809 902145
s.swindells@burnleyfc.com
If you think it may be an emergency or someone is in immediate danger you should dial 999.
Burnley FC in the Community is committed to ensuring that attending activities at 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.
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.
Child friendly Safeguarding Policy
Other useful contacts
Premier League – safeguarding@premierleague.com
Football Authority (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 – thecpsu.org.uk
Think you know – advice and guidance to safeguard children on and off line – thinkuknow.co.uk
Ann Craft Trust – A leading UK authority on safeguarding adults and young people at risk – anncrafttrust.org
CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection – ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
Domestic Violence UK – domesticviolenceuk.org
Mind – Mental Health Charity – mind.org.uk
Heads Together – offer a wide range of signposting to mental health support for all – headstogether.org.uk/get-support
Premier League Safeguarding – premierleague.com/safeguarding
Every Football 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 isn’t 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 Community.
Ross is happy to work across all areas of provision and will support on Community activities when required.
Ross and a colleague initiated the first hate crime in football conference which took place at Turf Moor and was a great success. This was the first of its kind in the UK.
Ross is available via the safeguarding team, email g.russell@burnleyfc.com s.swindells@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 you.
