Keeping Young Players Safe 

Football is a game that young people should find fun and enjoyable. They also need to feel safe.

The FA takes safeguarding young people as a priority and has taken many steps to promote safeguarding best practice within grassroots football. For a football club to affiliate to the County FA they are required to meet set safeguarding standards please view this film to see what football has done to make the game safe for young people.



Reporting a concern

If you have a concern about the welfare of your child you can speak to the Club Welfare Officer or alternatively you can contact Jan Scott, Designated Safeguarding Officer at Staffordshire FA on support@staffordshirefa.com or on 07969 294023. 

You can also contact the FA Safeguarding Team  via safeguarding@TheFA.com

READ MORE ON REPORTING CONCERNS

What to look for in a Football Club

When looking for your child to join a football club we would recommend that you check the club have the following:

• Ask if all the team’s managers and coaches have a Valid DBS check (formerly CRB).
• Check the club have policies on Safeguarding, Anti-Bullying and Equality.
• Find out the name and contact details for the Club Welfare Officer. This role is there to support you with any concerns at the club.
• Understand the club’s philosophy; we recommend that young players particularly in mini-soccer have equal playing time but some teams adopt different approaches. Find out the club/team’s philosophy before you sign to see if your child expectations will be met.

WHAT QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK - CLICK HERE

Safeguarding for All 

We want to encourage as many people as possible to be aware of safeguarding young and vulnerable people. If you wish to know more about safeguarding, The FA have developed a Safeguarding for All workshop that can be taken online. This will be registered against your FAN.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE safeguarding for all course  

What Children Want

It is important that we always remember to seek the views of young players in improving football. Some clubs have begun to create young people forums to seek their views on the game. Please view this short film created to share some young players thoughts and feelings on playing the game. 

Tips to protect your child online

The FA have produced some guidance to help parents protect their child whilst being online. 

We all recognise the need to interact on digital platforms and social media, this has never been more prevalent than during the pandemic where social contact has been reduced for us all. We do know however from figures complied by the NSPCC that during lockdown there has been a significant increase in inappropriate social media activity. This guide may give you tips on keeping your child safe.

TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD'S ONLINE SAFETY

Respect Code of Conduct

CLICK HERE FOR THE FA code of conduct for parents 

Respect Marshals

Respect Marshals are there to assist coaches and referees in making the matchday environment an enjoyable and safe experience for all. Please view the film to gain a better understanding of the role. If you need to obtain a respect marshal yellow bib, please speak to your youth league.

Yellow respect armbands

Under-18 referees have also been given the opportunity to wear yellow armbands to indicate that they are a legally still a child. This is to act as a reminder to everyone that they are a child. Abuse of referees in never acceptable especially when they are a minor and they are subject to children’s safeguarding regulations. Please view the film to understand more.