Amateur FA Whistle-blowing Policy
The Amateur FA along with the FA are committed to providing an exceptional service and conducting all business affairs in both a professional and ethical manner.
What Is Whistle-blowing?
In its simplest form, whistle-blowing is the term used when an employee or volunteer passes on information concerning wrongdoing. The action of whistle-blowing is sometimes called ‘blowing the whistle’.
Who is protected by law?
The law provides protection for those who raise legitimate concerns about specified matters, known as qualifying disclosures. A qualifying disclosure is one made in the public interest if an employee has a reasonable belief that:
• fraud and/or money laundering;
• a bribe, offered or received;
• a criminal offence;
• a miscarriage of justice;
• an act creating risk to health and safety;
• an act causing damage to the environment;
• breach of any laws, regulations, other legal obligations or The FA Group's policies or procedures; or
• other serious risk that threatens clients, colleagues, the public, the environment, or The FA Group's reputation; and
• concealment of any of the above; is being, has been, or is likely to be committed.
It is not necessary for you to have proof that such an act is being, has been, or is likely to be, committed - a reasonable belief is sufficient. Please be aware that you have no responsibility for investigating the matter as it is The FA Group's responsibility to ensure that an investigation takes place.
The Amateur FA supports The FA’s Whistle-blowing policy (as described in this paragraph), which requires any adult or young person with concerns about an adult in a position of trust within football can ‘whistle blow’ by:
• contacting the Amateur FA on safeguarding@amateur-fa.com or 020 8122 0147
• contacting The FA Safeguarding Team on Safeguarding@TheFA.com or 0800 169 1863
• or alternatively by going direct to the police, Children’s Social Care, or the NSPCC via help@nspcc.org.uk
The Amateur FA encourages anyone with a whistle-blowing concern to get in touch. if you have a whistleblowing concern, please download the full FA whistle-blowing guide by clicking here.