England Football Learning - Misconduct Policy
Purpose
England Football Learning (EFL) is committed to upholding high standards of conduct across all our operations and maintaining a safe, respectful environment for all learners and stakeholders.
We aim to ensure that everyone within our community behaves in a manner consistent with our values, and we do not tolerate any form of misconduct.
We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences misconduct to report it immediately, so we can take appropriate action and maintain the integrity of our learning environment.
Statement of Intent Toward Misconduct
England Football Learning (EFL) defines misconduct as any action or behaviour that violates our codes of conduct, ethics, or professional standards. This includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate language, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or any behaviour that disrupts the learning environment or disrespects others.
Our intent is to:
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Foster a positive, respectful learning environment for all.
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Address any instances of misconduct promptly, fairly, and confidentially.
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Ensure that anyone who raises a concern is protected from retaliation or unfair treatment.
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Take appropriate disciplinary action if misconduct is substantiated following investigation.
Misconduct Reporting Process
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Reporting Misconduct:
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If you witness or are subjected to misconduct, we encourage you to report it as soon as possible.
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Reports should be submitted within 4 weeks of the incident. If there are exceptional circumstances, late submissions may be considered at the discretion of England Football Learning.
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Acknowledgement of Misconduct Report:
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Upon receipt of the report, EFL will acknowledge the report within 7 working days.
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EFL will assess the severity of the misconduct and determine the appropriate course of action.
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Investigation and Response:
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EFL will conduct a thorough and confidential investigation of the reported misconduct. This may include interviewing witnesses, gathering relevant documentation, and reviewing any available evidence.
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The investigation will be completed within 21 working days of the report being made. If more time is required, the reporter will be kept informed of the progress.
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Upon conclusion of the investigation, EFL will provide a formal response detailing the findings and any actions to be taken.
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Action Taken:
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If the investigation concludes that misconduct occurred, appropriate action will be taken. This may include disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion from EFL programmes, depending on the severity of the misconduct.
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The reporter will be informed of the outcome, but detailed disciplinary actions may remain confidential to protect the privacy of all parties involved.
Appeal Process
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Right to Appeal:
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If the individual who reported the misconduct is unsatisfied with the outcome of the investigation, they have the right to appeal the decision.
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Appeals must be submitted in writing to faecomplaints@thefa.com within 5 working days of receiving the outcome. Please include ‘Appeal’ in the subject line of your email.
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Appeal Review:
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The appeal will be reviewed by a senior member of the England Football Learning management team, not involved in the initial investigation.
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A decision on the appeal will be made within 14 working days, and the individual will be informed of the final outcome via email.
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Final Stage:
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If the reporter remains unsatisfied with the appeal outcome, they may escalate the matter to the Director of FA Education within 5 working days.
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The Director will conduct a comprehensive review of the case and issue a final decision within 7 working days of the escalation.
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This final decision will conclude the EFL’s process for addressing the misconduct.
Confidentiality
All reports and investigations regarding misconduct will be handled confidentially. EFL will only involve individuals necessary to address the matter appropriately and will protect those who report misconduct from reprisals or detrimental treatment.
Protection from Retaliation
EFL is committed to ensuring that individuals who report misconduct, or cooperate in investigations, are not subjected to retaliation, victimisation, or unfair treatment as a result of their involvement in the process.
Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually, with the next review scheduled for November 2025, to ensure it remains relevant and effective in addressing misconduct.
Feedback
England Football Learning is committed to improving our policies and processes. We welcome any feedback and encourage you to provide it via email at education@thefa.com.
Codes of Conduct
To support a positive and professional learning environment, EFL has established clear guidelines for conduct.
These documents outline the standards expected and serve as a guide for appropriate behaviour within our programmes.