Adswood United Football Club – Safeguarding Policy

• To safeguard the welfare of all children and young people involved in our club’s football activities.
  
  
• To provide clear guidelines for staff, coaches, volunteers, parents, and players.
  
  
• To support staff and volunteers to understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding.
  
  
• To ensure that youth players in adult teams receive extra consideration and protection.
  
  

• The welfare of the child is paramount.
  
  
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse and exploitation.
  
  
• All suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  
  
• All club staff and volunteers working with young people will be subject to safer recruitment and vetting, including enhanced DBS checks where applicable.
  
  

• Always act in the best interest of young people.
  
  
• Avoid situations where they are alone with a child.
  
  
• Report concerns without delay.
  
  
• Be a positive role model.
  
  
• Never engage in or tolerate bullying, abuse, or poor practice.
  
  

• Parental/Guardian consent is obtained before participation.
  
  
• The player’s physical, emotional, and social maturity is considered.
  
  
• Separate changing facilities must be made available, or changing at different times must be arranged.
  
  
• Coaches and senior players must be briefed on the increased responsibility of having youth players in the team.
  
  
• Safeguarding is a priority in training, travel, changing, and matchday arrangements.
  
  
• A named adult (e.g., team manager or welfare officer) is responsible for monitoring the young player's welfare.
  
  

• Contact the Club’s Designated Safeguarding Officer.
  
  
• Report to The FA’s Safeguarding Team via safeguarding@thefa.com or call 0800 169 1863.
  
  
• Alternatively, concerns can be reported to the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000.
  
  

• Complete an FA CRC (DBS) check.
  
  
• Provide references.
  
  
• Undertake safeguarding training.
  
  
• Commit to ongoing learning and development in safeguarding.
  
  

• Communication should primarily be directed through parents/guardians.
  
  
• If direct communication is necessary (e.g., for training updates), it must be:
  
  
  • Approved by parents/guardians.
    
    
  • Transparent and appropriate.
    
    
  • Group messages preferred over one-to-one contact.
    
    

• Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their child at all times when attending:
  
  
  • Training sessions
    
    
  • Matches (home and away)
    
    
  • Tournaments and club events
    
    
• A parent/guardian must remain present at the venue for the full duration of the activity unless prior arrangements have been made.
  
  
• At tournaments, parents/guardians remain responsible for their child in between matches.
  
  
  • Coaches are not responsible for supervision during breaks between games.
    
    
  • Children must remain with their parent/guardian (or delegated adult) at all times between matches.
    
    

• If a parent/guardian cannot attend, they must:
  
  
  • Arrange for another responsible adult (e.g., another team parent) to take responsibility for their child.
    
    
  • Inform the coach in advance of who will be responsible.
    
    
• The delegated adult must:
  
  
  • Be present throughout the session/event
    
    
  • Be able to respond in case of emergency
    
    
  • Accept responsibility for the child during that time
    
    

• Coaches are responsible for:
  
  
  • Delivering training sessions and managing matches
    
    
  • Ensuring a safe and structured football environment during sessions
    
    
• Coaches are not responsible for supervising children outside of active sessions, including:
  
  
  • Before the session starts
    
    
  • After the session ends
    
    
  • During travel to and from venues
    
    
  • Between matches at tournaments
    
    

• Parents/guardians (or delegated adults) must:
  
  
  • Ensure children arrive on time and are handed over appropriately
    
    
  • Be present to collect children promptly at the end of sessions
    
    
• Children must not be left unattended at any time.
  
  

• In case of an emergency:
  
  
  • The parent/guardian (or delegated adult) remains the primary contact
    
    
  • Coaches will act in the best interest of the child but will rely on parental presence or contact
    
    

• Failure to follow this policy may result in:
  
  
  • The child being unable to participate in sessions or matches
    
    
  • Further action by the club if necessary