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Child Protection

A mandatory module on all 1st4sport coaching courses, this workshop is designed to promote positive and pro-active attitudes in order to best protect all children and young people who play football, so enabling them to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.

 

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In partnership with the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline (0808 800 5000) children and adults can call for advice or report child protection issues on a confidential and, if required, anonymous basis.

The FA continues to be committed to ensuring all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm those children and young people who participate in football at all levels.

This policy together with the Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines and educational programme sets out The FA’s position, role and responsibilities, and clarifies what is expected of other organisations and individuals involved in football.

Further details regarding The FA’s Safeguarding Policies can be obtained from The FA’s Safeguarding Children and Young People – Operations Manual, which can be accessed viawww.TheFA.com/Goal

Child Protection Policy statement

Every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.

The FA recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. The FA is therefore committed to working to provide a safe environment for all children and young people to participate in the sport to the best of their abilities for as long as they choose to do so.

Key principles

  • The child's welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
  • All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  • Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents and carers is essential.

The FA is committed to working in partnership with the Police, Social Services Departments, and local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCB) Committees (ACPC) in accordance with their procedures. This is essential to enable these organisations to carry out their statutory duties to investigate concerns and protect all children and young people.


For further details about The FA’s safeguarding policy statements aims and objectives please refer to the Safeguarding Children and Young People – Operations Manual which can be accessed via www.TheFA.com/Goal

Football has substantial links with both schools and colleges. In addition to the comprehensive English Schools Football Association activities there are numerous after school clubs and community teams using educational facilities. Many of these school based football activities come under the Physical Education and School Sport Club Links (PESSCL) initiative and as such are required to follow the guidelines developed by the NSPCC CPSU, DfES, Sport England and PESSCL funded National Governing Bodies. For further information please refer to the Safeguarding Children and Young People – Operations Manual via www.TheFA.com/Goal