RespectAffiliated#WeOnlyDoPositive

Safe. Fair. Inclusive.

Policies & safeguarding.

How we keep every child, adult and volunteer safe — built on current UK law, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, the CPSU Standards for Safeguarding in Sport and The FA's grassroots requirements.

Worried about a child or adult?

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, speak to our Club Welfare Officer, Sheena Cleator — contact details will be published here shortly. You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, Childline on 0800 1111, or The FA Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@thefa.com.

Safeguarding & welfare

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. These policies follow the CPSU Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport and The FA's safeguarding requirements for grassroots football.

Safeguarding children & young people

How we protect every under-18 who takes part, and what we do if we are worried about a child.

A named Club Welfare Officer (Designated Safeguarding Lead) — Sheena Cleator — with FA Safeguarding & Welfare Officer training.
Clear steps for recognising, responding to, recording and referring concerns to North East Lincolnshire Children's Services, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the police and The FA.
Emergency concerns go straight to 999; non-urgent concerns to the Welfare Officer the same day.
Signs of abuse covered: physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, bullying, online abuse, exploitation and radicalisation (Prevent duty awareness).

Based on

Children Act 1989 & 2004Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023CPSU Standards for Safeguarding in SportThe FA Safeguarding Children Policy & ProceduresCounter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent)

Safeguarding adults at risk

Protecting adults who may need care and support, including walking football, SEND and wellbeing participants.

Follows the six safeguarding principles: empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability.
Concerns referred to North East Lincolnshire Adult Social Care, with the adult's consent wherever possible.
Respects mental capacity and the right of adults to make their own choices.

Based on

Care Act 2014Mental Capacity Act 2005Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults in Sport frameworkThe FA Safeguarding Adults Policy

Safer recruitment & DBS checks

Everyone working with children or adults at risk is properly vetted before they start.

Enhanced DBS check with barred list check for all coaches, welfare officers and regular volunteers in regulated activity, processed through The FA's criminal records checking service.
Application, two references, ID checks and an informal interview for every role.
Mandatory FA Safeguarding Children training, renewed every three years, and an induction to club policies.
No unsupervised activity until checks are complete.

Based on

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006Protection of Freedoms Act 2012Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974The FA Criminal Records Check requirements

Anti-bullying

Bullying of any kind — in person, online, by players, parents or adults — is never accepted.

Clear reporting routes for players, parents and volunteers.
Concerns investigated fairly with support for both the person affected and the person responsible.
Serious or repeated cases escalated through the safeguarding procedure.

Based on

Equality Act 2010CPSU anti-bullying guidanceThe FA Respect programme

Online safety, social media & communication

Keeping communication with young people open, appropriate and safe.

Adults never message under-18s privately — all messages go through parents/carers or group channels with two adults present.
Official club accounts only; no personal friend requests between staff and junior players.
Messages follow the Seven Cs of communication so everyone understands them.

Based on

Online Safety Act 2023The FA guidance on communicating with young peopleCPSU online safety guidance

Photography & filming

Images of players are only taken and shared with consent.

Written parent/carer consent before any child's photo or video is used.
No full names alongside images of under-18s; no images in changing areas.
Anyone can withdraw consent at any time.

Based on

UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018The FA photography and filming guidance

Whistleblowing

A safe way to raise concerns about poor practice, including about club leaders.

Concerns can go to the Welfare Officer, the club chair, The FA Safeguarding Team or the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line.
People who raise concerns in good faith are protected from any negative treatment.

Based on

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line

Equality, inclusion & conduct

Our values — integrity, honesty, respect, inclusion and diversity — are written into how we behave.

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Everyone is welcome, and nobody is treated unfairly.

Protects all nine characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Reasonable adjustments for disabled and SEND participants, supported by our qualified practitioners.
Zero tolerance of discrimination, including abuse from the sidelines.

Based on

Equality Act 2010Sport England Code for Sports GovernanceThe FA Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Financial inclusion

Cost should never be the reason someone cannot play.

Free community football sessions and sibling/family discounts.
Confidential support for anyone for whom cost is a barrier — nobody is turned away for money.

Based on

Club community interest purpose

Codes of conduct

Clear expectations for players, parents and carers, coaches, volunteers and spectators.

Based on The FA Respect Codes of Conduct for each group.
Signed on joining and revisited each season.
Consequences range from a quiet word to suspension, applied fairly and consistently.

Based on

The FA Respect Codes of ConductCounty FA Standard Code of Rules

Complaints, discipline & appeals

A fair, transparent process when things go wrong.

Complaints acknowledged, investigated and responded to in writing.
Right to be heard and to appeal any decision.
Safeguarding concerns always follow the safeguarding procedure instead.

Based on

The FA Rules & RegulationsPrinciples of natural justice

Health, safety & wellbeing

Safe sessions, safe venues and a plan for when someone is hurt or unwell.

Health & safety and risk assessment

Every venue, session and event is risk assessed before it runs.

Written risk assessments for pitches, the beach and seafront, indoor halls and trips — including tides, weather and heat.
Equipment and goalposts checked before every session; goals always anchored.
Incidents and near misses recorded and reviewed.

Based on

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999The FA goalpost safety guidance

First aid, injuries & medical information

Qualified first aid at every session, and a clear plan in an emergency.

A trained first aider and stocked first aid kit at all activities.
Medical, allergy and emergency contact details held securely for every member.
Accident book completed and parents/carers informed the same day.

Based on

Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981RIDDOR 2013The FA Emergency First Aid / Introduction to First Aid in Football

Concussion & head injuries

If in doubt, sit them out.

Anyone with a suspected concussion is removed and does not return that day.
Graduated return to play with no training for at least 24 hours and a minimum 21 days before matches, unless cleared by a doctor.
Heading guidance for younger age groups followed in training.

Based on

UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport 2023The FA Concussion Guidelines & heading guidance

Supervision, ratios & collection

Children are always supervised, and only handed to approved adults.

At least two DBS-checked adults at every junior session, with age-appropriate ratios.
Clear procedure for late or uncollected children.
Changing rooms: no adults alone with children; separate facilities where needed.

Based on

CPSU supervision guidanceThe FA recommended ratios for youth football

Transport, trips & days out

Safe travel and overnight stays for days out and tournaments.

Parental consent forms for every trip.
Drivers hold valid licence, insurance and are DBS checked; seatbelts and car seats as required by law.
Trip-specific risk assessment and emergency plan.

Based on

Road Traffic Act 1988CPSU away trips guidance

Mental health & wellbeing

Looking after minds as well as bodies.

Volunteers encouraged to complete mental health awareness training.
Signposting to local and national support services.

Based on

The FA & Mind mental health guidance

Anti-doping & clean sport

We support fair, clean sport at every level.

Members follow UK Anti-Doping rules and the club promotes clean sport education.

Based on

UK Anti-Doping RulesWorld Anti-Doping Code

Governance, data & finance

Running the club openly, legally and in the community's interest.

Data protection & privacy

Personal details are collected only when needed and kept secure.

Privacy notice explaining what we hold, why, and for how long.
Access limited to those who need it; records deleted when no longer required.
Members can request, correct or delete their data.

Based on

UK GDPRData Protection Act 2018Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003

Club constitution & governance

How decisions are made and who is accountable.

An elected committee including chair, secretary, treasurer and Welfare Officer.
Annual general meeting open to members; minutes and decisions recorded.
Conflicts of interest declared.

Based on

Companies Act 2006Community Interest Company Regulations 2005Sport England Code for Sports GovernanceFA Charter Standard / England Football Accreditation

Finance & anti-fraud

Club money is handled transparently.

Two signatories on payments; accounts reviewed each year and reported to members.
Membership fees and funding used only for club purposes.

Based on

Companies Act 2006CIC annual community interest reportBribery Act 2010

Insurance

The club, members and volunteers are properly covered.

Public liability and personal accident cover through an approved sports insurer; employers' liability if staff are employed.

Based on

Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969County FA affiliation requirements

Volunteer policy

Supporting the people who make the club happen.

Role descriptions, induction, training and a named point of contact.
Volunteers are thanked, supported and listened to.

Based on

NCVO volunteering good practiceThe FA volunteer guidance

Reviewed every year

All policies are reviewed at least annually by the committee and Welfare Officer, and straight away whenever the law or national guidance changes. Full signed copies will be available to members on request.