Safeguarding in Football

Safeguarding Voice

Listen to our latest episode to learn about Safeguarding systems in county level Football. We are joined in this episode by the Designated Safeguarding Office for Hertfordshire Football Association - Gemma. We hope you enjoy this episode.
Gemma’s Bio-

I have worked for Hertfordshire Football Association as their Designated Safeguarding Officer for 18months leading on safeguarding to make sure the game is safe for everyone within Hertfordshire. This covers youth, open-age, adult, vets and disability football and is a role where no two days are ever the same. I have a large cohort of Club Welfare Officers who play a pivotal role within the game to support their clubs with any concerns they have around safeguarding and poor practice. I offer them support and guidance as well as training to enhance their knowledge around safeguarding.

Previous to this I worked in local government in Hertfordshire for 15 years, first as the Play Development Officer working front line with children and young people running youth clubs, after school clubs and holiday camps to then become the Safeguarding Support Officer to lead on safeguarding to make sure that we were compliant with processes, procedures and polices to safeguard all, staff and our customers.

I have a real passion for safeguarding and want to be able to do my best to protect all children, young people and adults at risk from harm that is being inflicted upon them, everyone deserves to be safe in whatever they do. Knowing that I am doing something where I can support and try to make a difference, enabling people to have a voice and for it to be listened to is something I think is key and am an advocate for.

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