Ruislip Rangers FC is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for all members. This page outlines our key policies and provides access to essential guidance documents.
Safeguarding & Child Protection
Ruislip Rangers FC is committed to safeguarding the welfare of every child and young person entrusted to its care and to providing a safe, enjoyable environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity.
We subscribe to The Football Association’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures. Safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
Our key principles:
- The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
- All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation
- All suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly
- Working in partnership with other organisations, children, young people, and their parents or carers is essential
Club Welfare Officer
Our Club Welfare Officer (CWO) has completed the required child protection and best practice training and is the first point of contact for any concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. The CWO liaises directly with the Middlesex County FA CWO and plays a proactive role in raising awareness of poor practice and abuse.
Reporting concerns
Ruislip Rangers FC supports The FA’s whistle-blowing policy. Anyone with concerns can report them by:
- Contacting the CWO or a member of the club committee
- Contacting the Middlesex FA CWO (for serious concerns)
- Contacting The FA Child Protection Team on 0207 745 4771
- Writing to The FA Case Manager, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA
- Going directly to the police, social services, or the NSPCC
Health & Safety
Ruislip Rangers FC is committed to providing a safe playing and coaching environment. Responsibility for health and safety lies with the club committee. Still, all parties have a legal obligation under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to do everything practicable to prevent accidents or injuries.
Our commitments:
- Providing and maintaining safe equipment
- Maintaining safe environments and access
- Identifying and assessing risks, and taking measures to control them
- Ensuring effective emergency measures are in place
- Complying with statutory health and safety regulations
Before any event, the person in charge must ensure:
- A competent first aider is present with a suitable first aid kit
- The full address of the location is known
- The Emergency Action Plan is in place
- All participants are adequately warmed up
- A visual risk assessment has been carried out, checking that the area is free from obstacles, that the equipment is suitable for use, and that participants have appropriate clothing and equipment.
Reporting injuries
If someone is injured, an Accident Report Form must be completed and given to the Club Secretary. Download the form from our Useful Documents page.
Goalpost Safety
The FA, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Health and Safety Executive, and the British Standards Institution have issued guidelines for the safe use of goalposts following serious injuries and fatalities in recent years.
Key requirements:
- All goalposts, including portable ones, must be securely anchored to the ground using chain anchors or appropriate anchor weights
- Under no circumstances should anyone climb, swing on, or play with goalpost structures
- Portable goalposts must be dismantled and stored securely after use
- Regular inspections must be carried out to ensure goalposts are properly maintained
- Nets should be secured with plastic hooks or tape only—metal cup hooks must be removed and replaced
- Home-made or structurally altered goalposts must not be used
Before use, adults must check that the structure is secure by:
- Following the manufacturer’s assembly guidelines
- Exerting a significant downward force on the crossbar
- Exerting significant backward and forward force on both upright posts
- Repeating these checks until the structure is confirmed secure—if not, alternative goals or pitches must be used
Digital & Social Media Guidance
The following guidance documents are available for download:
- Digital Platforms – best-practice guidance
- Guidance for league and clubs- texting and email under-18s
- Guidance for clubs and leagues – running a website
- Guidance for clubs and leagues – use of social media
- Guidance for leagues and clubs – communicating responsibly with under-18s
- Guidance for parents and carers’ use of text, email, and social media
- Guidance for under-18s – use of digital platforms
Internal Discipline
Click here to view and download our internal Disciplinary Policy.
Equality
Click here to view and download our Equality Policy.
Anti-Bullying
Click here to view and download our Anti-Bullying Policy.