Robin Park FC Complaints, Conduct and Sanctions Policy

1. Purpose

Robin Park FC is committed to providing a safe, respectful and positive environment for all players, parents/carers, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators.

This policy explains how the club may respond when a complaint is upheld or partially upheld, or where behaviour falls below the standards expected by the club, The FA, the league, or the club’s codes of conduct.

This policy should be read alongside the club’s Complaints Procedure, Safeguarding Policy, Codes of Conduct and any relevant FA or league rules.

2. Raising a Concern or Complaint

Concerns or complaints may relate to the conduct, behaviour or actions of anyone connected with the club. This may include, but is not limited to:

·       A coach

·       A player

·       A parent or carer

·       A spectator

·       A volunteer

·       A committee member

·       Another person connected with the club

If you have a concern or complaint, please contact:

Clare Hales
Club Welfare Officer
clarehales1@hotmail.co.uk

Complaints should usually be submitted in writing and should include:

·       What has happened

·       Who was involved

·       When and where it took place

·       Any relevant information, witnesses or evidence

Robin Park FC will take all concerns seriously and will act fairly, proportionately and appropriately. Each concern will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the concern, the people involved, any previous concerns, and whether the matter needs to be managed at club level or escalated in line with FA, safeguarding or disciplinary procedures.

Where a concern relates directly to the Club Welfare Officer, the matter should be referred to the Club Secretary or another appropriate committee member, and advice may be sought from the County FA where required.

3. General Approach

The club will consider complaints and behaviour concerns on a case-by-case basis. Any action taken will be proportionate to the nature, seriousness and impact of the concern.

The club may take into account:

·       The seriousness of the behaviour

·       Whether the behaviour was a one-off incident or repeated

·       Whether there has been previous advice, warning or action

·       The impact on players, coaches, parents/carers, officials, volunteers or the wider club

·       The age, needs and circumstances of any child or young person involved

·       Whether any support, reasonable adjustments or behaviour agreements have already been offered

·       Whether the matter involves safeguarding, discrimination, harassment, threats, abuse or violence

·       Whether the matter may need to be referred to the County FA, league, LADO, police or another appropriate body

The examples in this policy are not exhaustive and do not create an automatic tariff. The club may move more quickly to stronger action where the concern is serious, repeated, unsafe or presents a safeguarding or welfare risk.

4. Possible Club Outcomes and Sanctions

Where a complaint is upheld or partially upheld, the club may take one or more of the following actions:

·       Informal advice, guidance or reminder of expected conduct

·       Verbal warning

·       Written warning

·       Final written warning

·       Required meeting with club officials

·       Behaviour agreement or action plan

·       Request for an apology or restorative action, where appropriate

·       Additional supervision, mentoring or training for a coach or volunteer

·       Temporary restriction from training, matches, club events or matchday areas

·       One-match suspension

·       Three-match suspension

·       Longer suspension, depending on the seriousness of the concern

·       Temporary removal of a player from training, matches or team activity

·       Permanent removal of a player from club membership in serious or repeated cases

·       Removal from a coaching, volunteer, committee or other club role

·       Termination of club membership

·       Referral to the league, County FA, LADO, police, children’s services, adult services or another appropriate body where required

5. Examples of Behaviour That May Lead to Club Action

The following examples may lead to club action, depending on the circumstances:

·       Failure to follow the club’s codes of conduct

·       Repeated poor behaviour at training or matches

·       Disrespectful behaviour towards coaches, players, parents/carers, volunteers, match officials or opposition teams

·       Aggressive or intimidating behaviour

·       Inappropriate comments, shouting or abusive language

·       Poor touchline conduct

·       Disruption to training, matches or club activities

·       Failure to follow reasonable instructions from coaches or club officials

·       Behaviour that brings the club into disrepute

·       Repeated failure to comply with previous advice, warnings or behaviour agreements

·       Behaviour that affects the safety, wellbeing or participation of others

More serious matters, including safeguarding concerns, abuse, discrimination, harassment, threats, violence or potential breaches of FA rules, may be escalated outside the club process.

6. Coaches and Volunteers

Where concerns relate to a coach or volunteer, the club may consider:

·       Informal advice or reflective discussion

·       Written warning

·       Additional supervision or mentoring

·       Requirement to complete relevant FA training

·       Temporary removal from coaching or matchday duties

·       Suspension from duties while a matter is investigated

·       Removal from role

·       Referral to the County FA or another appropriate body where required

Coach and volunteer concerns will be handled carefully because adults in club roles have a responsibility to model appropriate conduct and help maintain a safe environment for children and young people.

7. Parents, Carers and Spectators

Where concerns relate to a parent, carer or spectator, the club may consider:

·       Reminder of the spectator or parent/carer code of conduct

·       Written warning

·       Meeting with club officials

·       Sideline behaviour agreement

·       Restriction from training or matchday areas

·       One-match or three-match touchline ban

·       Longer restriction from attending club activity

·       Removal from club communication groups

·       Referral to the league, County FA or other appropriate body where required

Parent, carer and spectator behaviour can affect players, coaches, officials, volunteers and the wider club environment. The club may act where behaviour impacts the safety, wellbeing, enjoyment or participation of children and young people.

8. Players

Where concerns relate to a player, the club will aim to respond in a way that is fair, supportive and age-appropriate.

The club may consider:

·       Conversation with the player and/or parent/carer

·       Reminder of the player code of conduct

·       Parent/carer meeting

·       Behaviour agreement

·       Restorative action, where appropriate

·       Adjusted participation, where appropriate

·       Temporary time away from training or match selection

·       One-match or three-match suspension

·       Longer suspension or removal from the club in serious or repeated cases

·       Safeguarding referral where the concern suggests risk, harm or unmet welfare needs

The club will consider the child’s age, needs, circumstances, previous concerns, and any support already offered.

In some circumstances, the club may need to temporarily or permanently remove a child or young person from training, matches, team activity or club membership. This may happen where behaviour is serious, repeated, unsafe, significantly disruptive, or where the club cannot safely or appropriately meet the child’s needs within the football setting.

Where possible, the club will consider support measures first, such as a parent/carer meeting, behaviour agreement, adjusted participation, or a temporary break from activity. However, the club may act more quickly where there is a safeguarding concern, serious risk, abuse, threats, violence, discrimination, harassment or serious misconduct.

Permanent removal from club membership will normally be considered only where concerns are serious, repeated, unsafe, or where previous support and sanctions have not resolved the issue.

9. Escalation

The club will usually manage internal behaviour, conduct and code of conduct breaches at club level.

However, the club will escalate concerns where appropriate. This may include referral to the County FA, league, LADO, police, children’s services, adult services or another relevant body.

Concerns involving safeguarding, abuse, discrimination, harassment, threats, violence, serious misconduct or potential breaches of FA rules may be escalated immediately.

Where the club is unsure whether a matter should be managed internally or escalated, the Club Welfare Officer, Club Chair or committee may seek advice from the County FA or another appropriate body.

10. Confidentiality and Record Keeping

All concerns, complaints, investigations and outcomes will be handled sensitively and confidentially. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis.

The club will keep appropriate records of complaints, actions taken, sanctions applied and any referrals made.

11. Review

This policy will be reviewed by the club committee and updated where required.

Approved by: Robin Park FC Committee
Date approved: 24^th August 2026
Review date: 24^th August 2027