Safeguarding for Clubs & Leagues
Safeguarding is Everyone's Responsibility!
We are here to support you.
Safeguarding Requirements
The FA and Cheshire FA recognise their collective responsibility for children and young people within football. Clearly, this same duty of care is shared by every club in the country which runs youth teams in addition to Referees.
YOUTH FOOTBALL MANAGERS, COACHES & TEAM OFFICIALS
Anyone working in an eligible role, directly working with children and young people – such as managers and coaches or team officials must have an in-date, FA Accepted, DBS Check as part of responsible recruitment practice before they work or volunteer within football.
Please speak to your Club Welfare Officer to begin the process of your DBS application. You can also view the step-by-step guidance document below detailing how to complete your DBS.
From the 2023-24 season, ALL team officials working in youth football will be required to have an in-date FA Safeguarding Children Course accreditation. This can be completed via this link.
OPEN AGE FOOTBALL MANAGERS, COACHES & TEAM OFFICIALS
If you are involved in an open age team that has 16/17-year-old players, please visit this page for full guidance on requirements.
CLUB WELFARE OFFICERS
Club Welfare Officers require the following accreditations to be able to fulfil the role:
- FA Accepted DBS Check
- FA Welfare Officer Course
- FA Safeguarding Children Course
- FA Safeguarding for Committee Members Course
For further advice or support, please contact Safeguarding@CheshireFA.com
T: 01606 871166
T: 01606 30 2028
T: 01606 30 2024
(T) 01606 87 11 66
(E) Chris.Barrow@CheshireFA.com
REPORTING A CONCERN
A child or young person may inform you directly that he or she is concerned about someone’s behaviour towards them or you may become aware, through your own observations or through a third party, of possible abuse occurring.
There are five ways to report a concern:
- To your Club Welfare Officer – please find out from your club who these people are;
- To our Cheshire FA Designated Safeguarding Officer Safeguarding@CheshireFA.com;
- By emailing The FA Safeguarding Team at Safeguarding@TheFA.com or by calling and asking for the team on 0800 169 1863;
- If urgent and you cannot contact your club, league or County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, you should call the NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000;
- If it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the Police (999) or Children’s Social Care in your area.
Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague’s conduct towards a child or young person can also use whistle-blowing by calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for The FA’s safeguarding team, or via email to Safeguarding@TheFA.com.
