Using Texts & Emails with Under 18’s

This policy aims to ensure children, young people, coaches and adults in a position of trust are not subjected to improper communications or improper allegations. Written informed consent needs to be obtained from parents/carers before group email or texts are used to communicate with U18s.

Kendal United Junior Football Club coaches, managers and Club officials will adhere to the following FA sponsored safeguards:

• Get signed consent from parents/carers before using either of these methods of communication with children or young people.
• Explain to parents/carers and club members the purpose and method for coaches, team managers, referee mentors, club officials etc. to communicate by either text, email or both with their son/daughter.
• Only use group texts or emails and always copy in the parent/carer or the designated member of the club to all communications with young people.
• Make sure texts or emails are only in relation to specific club related activities e.g. informing young people about changes in travel arrangements, training times or venue changes etc.
• Report to the club welfare officer any instance(s) where you have received any inappropriate communications from a young person. The club welfare officer will then agree what action the club will take, notifying parents/carers and any other appropriate individuals or agencies.

Kendal United Junior Football Club will not

• Use text or emails for personal conversation, sending pictures, jokes or other items of a personal nature.
• Respond to emails from young people other than those directly related to club matters (advise your club welfare officer of any non-club related emails you receive).
• Use language that is directly (or could be misinterpreted as being) racist, sexist, derogatory, threatening, abusive or sexualised in tone.

Responsible Use of Social Networking Sites

This policy aims to ensure children, young people, coaches, referees and adults in a position of trust are not subjected to improper online behaviour or improper allegations.

Kendal United Junior Football Club coaches, managers and Club officials will adhere to the following FA sponsored safeguards:

• Ensure all the privacy settings are locked so that that the page(s) are used explicitly for club or league matters and are not used as a place to meet, share personal details or have private conversations.
• Nominate a club official to monitor the club social networking page regularly and remove access for anyone behaving inappropriately.
• Make sure everyone within the club knows who is responsible for monitoring the content of the social networking areas and how to contact them.
• Provide all users with The FAs best practice guidance on using social networking sites.
• Gain written parent/carer permission before access is given to U18s.
• Inform the CWO if you have received inappropriate communications online, keeping a record of any inappropriate, threatening or offensive material as this may be needed as evidence.

Unless a child/young person is a direct relation, the coaches, managers and club officials will not:

• Accept as a friend, players U18 on social networking sites they are members of, or share their own personal social networking sites with children or young people involved in youth football.
• Make contact with children or young people known through football outside of the football context on social networking sites.
• Use internet or web based communications to send personal messages of a non-football nature to a child or young person.
• Engage in any personal communications, ‘banter’ or comments.