Safeguarding essentials for youth football clubs

Why Safeguarding Must Be Everyone's Priority

Grassroots youth football is where children first fall in love with the game. It's also where they should feel safe, respected, and supported. Safeguarding isn't a box-ticking exercise or a job for one person. It's a shared responsibility that runs through every training session, matchday, and club social event. Whether you're a coach, parent, volunteer, or committee member, you have a role to play. The good news? With clear policies, proper checks, and a culture of openness, you can create an environment where young players thrive.

Getting DBS Checks Right for Your Club

In the UK, anyone who regularly works or volunteers with children under 18 in football needs an enhanced DBS check with a check of the children's barred list. This applies to coaches, team managers, physios, and even regular helpers who have unsupervised access to young players. The check must be done before they start, not after.

• Who needs one? Anyone in a role that involves regular contact with under-18s, including those who help with transport or manage changing rooms.
• Volunteers: DBS checks are free for eligible volunteers in grassroots sport. Your county FA can guide you through the process.
• Update Service: Encourage staff and volunteers to subscribe to the DBS Update Service so you can check their status quickly each season.
• Record keeping: Keep a secure register of when checks were completed and when they are due for renewal. Never rely on memory.

Remember, a DBS check is a snapshot. It doesn't replace ongoing vigilance, references, or a probation period for new volunteers.

Building Clear Codes of Conduct

Every club should have codes of conduct for coaches, players, parents and spectators. These set the tone: respect, positive encouragement, and zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or abuse. They should be written in plain English, shared with everyone at the start of the season, and signed annually.

• Coaches: Never be alone with a child in a closed room, avoid physical contact unless for safety, and use positive language.
• Parents: Cheer, don't criticise. Leave coaching to the coaches. Respect the referee's decisions.
• Players: Turn up on time, listen, support teammates, and speak up if something feels wrong.
• Spectators: No swearing, no aggressive behaviour, no entering the field of play.

Enforce your codes consistently. If someone breaches them, address it calmly and record what happened.

Reporting Concerns: Know Your Routes

If you have a concern about a child's safety or welfare, you must act. Don't wait, don't investigate, and don't promise confidentiality. Your club should have a designated safeguarding officer (DSO) who is the first point of contact. If the DSO is unavailable, contact your county FA's safeguarding team or your local authority's designated officer (LADO).

• Immediate danger: Call 999.
• Non-urgent concern: Report to the club DSO in writing within 24 hours.
• Allegation against a coach or volunteer: Report to the county FA and the LADO. Do not confront the person.
• Record it: Note date, time, what was said or seen, and any action taken. Store securely and confidentially.

Whistleblowing should be protected. Anyone who reports in good faith must be supported, not penalised.

Practical Safeguarding on Matchdays and at Training

Safeguarding happens in the small details. Always have at least two adults present, and avoid one-to-one situations. Use open, visible spaces for conversations. For changing rooms, ensure children are supervised appropriately, with separate arrangements for boys and girls where needed. Never transport a child alone unless it's an emergency and you have parental consent.

• Ratios: Aim for one adult to every eight children under 11, and one to every ten for older age groups.
• Photography: Only take photos with parental consent, and never publish images with full names or locations.
• Online safety: Use club-approved communication channels. No private messaging with players.
• First aid: Have a trained first-aider present and a clear plan for medical emergencies.

These steps show parents you take their child's safety seriously.

Keeping Safeguarding Alive All Season

Safeguarding isn't a one-off training course. It's a living part of your club's culture. Hold a brief safeguarding reminder at the start of every term, review your policies annually, and make sure new volunteers are inducted properly. Celebrate good practice and learn from near misses. When children, parents and volunteers all feel confident to speak up, you've built a truly safe club.