Child Welfare

If you witness any poor behaviour or risks to welfare taking place during a game and you are a coach, you can alert the Match Official at the best opportunity. If you are a spectator, you can make your coach aware so they can in-turn make the Match Official aware. The Match Official will monitor the situation, take whatever action they can based on what they witness and should ensure that the matter (including the fact that concerns were brought to their attention) is noted in any written report to the Birmingham County FA (BCFA) after the match.

You can also notify the League Welfare Officer who should in-turn and at the earliest opportunity notify the BCFA of anything that was reported to them so that the BCFA can investigate further.

If you are part of a Club, away from any match you can report any matter of poor behaviour you may have witnessed or any welfare concerns you may have to Officials within your Club. You can raise a matter in the first instance with your Team Coach who should notify the Club’s Secretary or Club Welfare Officer. 

The Club Secretary or Club Welfare Officer may conduct an internal investigation which may involve gathering statements from anyone who may have witnessed anything. If the matter pertains to the behaviour or welfare of individuals within the Club the Club may look to implement internal measures. If it concerns the behaviour or welfare of anyone outside the Club, or if it is a serious matter, the Club may refer the matter to the Birmingham County FA.

If you wished to escalate a matter of misconduct or refer a potential Safeguarding matter, you can get in touch with the Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA). As the governing body of grassroots football in our region, the BCFA may seek further evidence from any Club, complainant or referrer in order to establish whether the matter is a Discipline or Safeguarding matter so an investigation can take place and formal action in line with FA Rules and Regulations can be taken if the BCFA can substantiate such action.