It is recommended that all clubs appoint a Welfare Officer who is responsible for making sure that the right procedures are followed as well as being the first point of contact for the club.

It is important that everyone in the club is aware that it is a collective responsibility to implement the procedures regardless of their status or role. 

A template job description for a Welfare Officer  can be found here. The name and contact details of the Welfare Officer should be displayed prominently throughout the club environment, and given to parents and members - existing and new. This person then becomes the point of contact for other members of staff, for parents and children, and for other organisations such as the Police, Local Authority or Social Services.

Any officer, volunteer, coach or other responsible adult with concerns should report these concerns to the Welfare Officer along with all the details written down and signed using a standard incident recording form.  If the Welfare Officer thinks that there is a possibility that the abuse could have taken place they will report it to the Social Work Department, the Police and the NGB.