The FA’s role in safeguarding and dealing with abuse

Let’s make football safe, not sorry

As the governing body of football in this country, The FA wants to do everything it can to create a sustainable safe and enjoyable framework around the game we all love.

We want you to feel confident in football and to know that your child will have fun and be safe.

If standards ever fall short; with poor practice or unacceptable behaviour, there is a framework in place to make sure we can deal with it and by reporting a concern you can help us make sure that the youth game stays safe and strong.

If you, or your child, are involved in football we encourage you to share this film with club staff, parents and volunteers to help spread the message that by reporting your concerns you can help to keep youth football fantastic. Click on the video link above to watch this film.

So, anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult towards a child or young person under 18 years of age in football is required to refer it to The FA Safeguarding team. The team is staffed by professionals who are experienced in dealing with child welfare.

Referring a concern can be done via your club, league or County FA – all will have a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), trained by The FA. Alternatively, you can email them directly via safeguarding@thefa.com.

If the matter is urgent and you cannot contact your club or County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, you can call The FA/NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 – or if it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the Police or Children’s Social Care in your area.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. No action is not an option.