How to report a Safeguarding concern
Internal Contacts
Anybody wishing to report a safeguarding concern can contact the Club’s Safeguarding team via:
Head of Safeguarding - Ashley Watson
Academy Safeguarding Officer – Darren McCall
Academy & Club Safeguarding Officer – Shannon Gibson
Email: safeguarding@safc.com
If you believe a child and or adult is at immediate risk of harm, and you believe is in immediate danger you must report this to the appropriate statutory services immediately such as the police/ambulance service and or children's/adult services.
Safe at Sunderland AFC
External Contacts
Together for Children
If there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm, a referral can be made on 0191 561 7007 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.15pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm) or to the Out Of Hours team on 0191 520 5560 (Monday to Thursday, 5.15pm to 8.30am or Friday from 4.45pm to 8.30am on Monday).
Adult Services
If you worried about your own safety or about the safety of someone else, please contact Sunderland City Council on 0191 520 5552. Alternatively, you can also visit the Sunderland City Council website and complete the member of public 'online referral form' by clicking on the link below:
https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/27575/Worried-about-someone
If the child/young person and or adult does not reside within Sunderland Local Authority area, you will need to contact the relevant children and adult services within the area they are located.
External Resources
Help for adults concerned about a child:
NSPCC Helpline: 0800 056 0566
Help for children and young people: Childline
Childline: 0800 1111
FA Safeguarding Governance
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding/reporting-concerns
EFL Safeguarding Young People and Adults at Risk
https://www.efltrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EFL-Trust-Safeguarding-Easy-Read-FINAL.pdf
Keeping Children Safe in Education (Sep 2023)
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023 & 2018)
The Board of Directors of Sunderland AFC is fully committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children, young people, adults at risk and vulnerable groups. All staff, players and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to support and develop a culture of safeguarding vigilance across the organisation.
The Club makes provisions for children and young people, young players and adults at risk through adherence to and understanding of the Sunderland AFC Safeguarding Policies and Procedures, including a robust recruitment process, ensuring that:
- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of vulnerable groups is of paramount importance.
- All children and adults at risk of harm, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse, exploitation and poor practice.
- The club will work to empower young people and adults at risk to safeguard themselves and develop their resilience to harm or abuse.
- Staff have a responsibility to act on a suspicion or disclosure which suggests an adult at risk or a child may be at risk of harm. Any concerns will be reported to the club Safeguarding Manager and/or Designated Safeguarding Officers.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- Sunderland AFC have a responsibility to fully support anyone who in good faith reports their concerns that a child or adult at risk is, or may be, being abused or mistreated.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Sunderland AFC