Statement of Commitment

At Football Skills School the welfare, safety and wellbeing of every child and young person is our highest priority.

We are fully committed to creating and maintaining a safe, positive, inclusive and enjoyable environment where all children are protected from harm, abuse, neglect, bullying, exploitation and discrimination whilst participating in any Football Skills School activity.

We believe every child has the right to:

• Feel safe and protected
• Be listened to and respected
• Enjoy football and physical activity in a positive environment
• Be treated fairly and equally
• Develop confidence free from fear, intimidation or abuse

Football Skills School recognises that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that all staff, coaches, volunteers and adults involved in the organisation have a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

This policy applies to all:

• Staff and coaches
• Volunteers
• Welfare officers
• Parents/carers
• Anyone acting on behalf of Football Skills School

Policy Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to:

• Protect children and young people who participate in Football Skills School activities
• Provide clear safeguarding procedures and reporting processes
• Promote best practice and safer working environments
• Ensure concerns are identified, reported and managed appropriately
• Support staff and volunteers in understanding safeguarding responsibilities
• Meet legal safeguarding obligations and align with current:
  • UK safeguarding legislation
  • FA safeguarding requirements
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance
  • NSPCC safeguarding principles

Safeguarding Principles

Football Skills School believes that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have equal rights to protection
• Children should always be treated with dignity and respect
• Safeguarding concerns must always be taken seriously
• Early intervention is essential
• Children should be encouraged to speak openly and know they will be listened to
• Working in partnership with parents/carers and safeguarding agencies is essential

We recognise that some children may be more vulnerable to abuse, including:

• Disabled children
• Children with additional needs
• Children from minority ethnic communities
• Children experiencing family difficulties
• Children in care or previously in care

Football Skills School is committed to taking all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of every child involved in our provision.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy has been developed in accordance with:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (where relevant)
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
• The FA Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures
• NSPCC safeguarding guidance

Roles and Responsibilities

Football Skills School Will:

• Promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children at all times
• Ensure safeguarding procedures are implemented consistently
• Recruit staff and volunteers safely
• Complete Enhanced DBS checks where required
• Provide safeguarding training and ongoing learning opportunities
• Maintain secure and confidential safeguarding records
• Respond appropriately and promptly to safeguarding concerns
• Work with external safeguarding agencies where necessary
• Ensure children and parents know how to raise concerns

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Safeguarding / Welfare Officer

Name: Daniel Pitt
Telephone: 07961 758836 / 07880 496632
Email: Danielpitt@footballskillsschool.co.uk / Office@footballskillsschool.co.uk

The DSL is responsible for:

• Managing safeguarding concerns and referrals
• Liaising with children’s social care, police and external agencies
• Maintaining safeguarding records securely
• Supporting staff, volunteers and families where appropriate
• Ensuring safeguarding policies remain up to date
• Promoting a strong safeguarding culture within the organisation

If the DSL is unavailable and a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, emergency services must be contacted immediately by dialling 999.

Recognising Abuse

Football Skills School recognises the following forms of abuse and safeguarding concerns:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child criminal exploitation
• Child sexual exploitation
• Grooming
• Domestic abuse
• Discriminatory abuse
• Online abuse
• Radicalisation and extremism

Possible indicators may include:

• Unexplained injuries
• Sudden behavioural or emotional changes
• Withdrawal or anxiety
• Fear of certain individuals
• Inappropriate sexualised behaviour or language
• Poor attendance or repeated absences
• Self-harm or low self-esteem
• Sudden decline in confidence or participation

Recognising one indicator alone does not necessarily mean abuse is occurring; however, all concerns must be taken seriously.

Responding to a Disclosure

If a child discloses abuse or harm, staff and volunteers should:

Do:

• Stay calm and listen carefully
• Reassure the child they have done the right thing
• Take what the child says seriously
• Record the information accurately
• Report the concern immediately to the DSL

Do Not:

• Promise confidentiality
• Ask leading questions
• Investigate the concern yourself
• Confront alleged perpetrators
• Delay reporting concerns

A written safeguarding record should include:

• Date and time
• Factual account of what was seen or said
• Name of the person reporting
• Action taken

Safer Recruitment

Football Skills School is committed to safer recruitment and selection procedures.

This includes:

• Enhanced DBS checks where required
• Verification of identity and qualifications
• Suitable references
• Safeguarding discussions during recruitment
• Safeguarding expectations within contracts and role descriptions

No individual may begin regulated activity with children until appropriate safeguarding checks have been completed.

Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers

All staff, coaches and volunteers must:

• Act as positive role models
• Treat children fairly and with respect
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Use appropriate language and behaviour
• Avoid situations where they are alone with a child where possible
• Ensure activities are appropriately supervised
• Follow safeguarding and health & safety procedures
• Report concerns immediately

Staff and volunteers must never:

• Engage in abusive, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour
• Use physical punishment or humiliating behaviour
• Develop inappropriate relationships with children
• Communicate with children through personal social media accounts
• Share inappropriate images or content
• Consume alcohol or illegal substances whilst responsible for children

Failure to follow safeguarding expectations may result in disciplinary action, dismissal or referral to external agencies.

Online Safety

Football Skills School recognises the importance of safeguarding children in digital environments.

We will:

• Use appropriate organisational communication methods
• Gain parental consent for online participation where applicable
• Promote safe and responsible internet use
• Respond promptly to online safety concerns

Staff and volunteers must never contact children using personal accounts or unauthorised communication platforms.

Photography, Video and Social Media

Football Skills School may use photographs or videos for coaching, promotional or celebratory purposes only where appropriate parental consent has been obtained.

We will:

• Ensure images are suitable and respectful
• Never include personal identifying information alongside images
• Challenge inappropriate filming or photography
• Store images securely where required

Parents/carers are expected to use images responsibly and respectfully.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Football Skills School is committed to providing an inclusive environment where all children feel welcomed, valued and supported.

We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation of any kind.

Safeguarding procedures apply equally to every child regardless of background or ability.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information will be handled sensitively and shared only where necessary and appropriate.

Football Skills School understands that:

• Safeguarding concerns override normal confidentiality expectations where a child may be at risk
• Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis
• Records will be stored securely in line with UK GDPR and data protection legislation

Complaints and Whistleblowing

Football Skills School encourages all staff, volunteers, parents and participants to report concerns regarding poor practice or safeguarding failures.

Concerns relating to the behaviour of staff or volunteers will be taken seriously and investigated appropriately.

No individual will be treated unfairly for raising genuine safeguarding concerns.

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually as best practice
• Following significant safeguarding incidents
• Following legislative or organisational changes
• In response to updated FA or safeguarding guidance

Policy Adoption

Organisation: Football Skills School
Policy Adopted: 01/03/2014
Last Reviewed: 01/09/2025
Next Review Due: 01/09/2026

Signed: D.J Pitt
Position: Owner / Designated Safeguarding Lead