Every child or young person under the age of 18 who participates in football should be able to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse and this is the responsibility of everyone involved in football.

English football takes safeguarding extremely seriously. In February 2022, The FA released a new Safeguarding Strategy entitled; Building an Ever Safe Culture. To view the new strategy, please click here.

The ongoing work to make the game as safe and enjoyable as possible is led by The FA, the game’s governing body in this country. This work is delivered through County FAs such as ourselves in conjunction with leagues and clubs.

A clear safeguarding strategy has been put in place by English football to protect people involved in the national game. It is complete with policies, procedures and regulations. Every club in the country must adhere to the policies which apply to them. If not, they face sanctions, including suspension from playing.

Policies include the mandatory appointment of a Club Welfare Officer(s) for every league or club with youth teams. There is also a requirement for specified club committee officers to complete the free online ‘Safeguarding for Committee Members’ course. While mandatory for specified officers, the course is open to anyone to raise their awareness of potential situations and how to deal with them.

Welfare Officers must have an FA-accepted Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), which has to be renewed every three years. Managers, coaches and anybody else regularly involved in youth teams must also have an in date FA DBS Check.

Use the boxes below for more information on safeguarding in football and if you would like any further information, please contact us using the 'Get in Touch' details on this page.