This policy establishes clear expectations for parent/carer engagement at Kendal United FC, addressing the critical role that families play in supporting their children’s football development and ensuring safeguarding standards are maintained. The policy provides structured approaches to engage with parents who may be difficult to reach while ensuring all children receive appropriate support andprotection. This policy is to provide support for our Three Strikes discipline policy.

 

POLICY FOUNDATION & FA ALIGNMENT

FA SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS

The Football Association places parent/carer engagement at the heart of safeguarding, requiring that:

Parents and carers should ensure they know who their child’s coach or manager is, how they will communicate, how to contact them, and how to provide feedback on their child. They should also ask if the coach or manager is FA DBS checked and Safeguarding trained.

Parents should be clear about what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour at their child’s club and should sign up and adhere to the codes of conduct.

All affiliated clubs must have a Safeguarding Children Policy and a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) who has been DBS-checked and trained in safeguarding. Parents are expected to understand the CWO’s role.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FRAMEWORK

Everyone involved in football has a part to play to ensure children can play in a safe and enjoyable environment. County FAs, club committees, designated safeguarding officers, managers, coaches, referees and parents/carers – all are key to ensuring football has effective safeguards in place.

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENT/CARER ENGAGEMENT

All parents/carers with children participating in Kendal United activities must:

MANDATORY ENGAGEMENT COMMITMENTS:

• Initial Registration Meeting – Attend a mandatory meeting within 4 weeks of the child’s registration. This could take the form of attending a training session, a game day, or a pre-arranged meeting.
• Annual Meeting – Participate in at least one annual meeting with the team manager. This could take the form of attending a training session, a game day, or a pre-arranged meeting.
• Emergency Contact Maintenance – Provide and maintain up-to-date contact information at all times.
• Code of Conduct & Three Strikes Policy Acknowledgement – Sign and adhere to the club’s Parent/Spectator Code of Conduct and their commitment to our Three Strikes Policy.

COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS:

• Response Requirements – Respond to urgent club communications within 48 hours.
• Availability Information – Provide clear information about preferred communication methods and times.
• Match Day Communication – Confirm attendance/non-attendance for matches in advance. Travel arrangements to and from sessions should be communicated
• Welfare Concerns – Report any concerns about their child’s well-being immediately.

ONGOING ENGAGEMENT STANDARDS

Minimum Participation Levels

• Quarterly Check-ins – Participate in a brief check-in, if required, with the team manager. This could take the form of attending a training session, a game day, or a pre-arranged meeting about behavioural or welfare issues.
• Medical/Emergency Situations – Be available for immediate contact during training and matches.