All-Startz Football Academy Safeguarding Policy
At All-Startz Football Academy, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all players, particularly young people, and ensuring that everyone involved in the academy environment feels safe, respected, and supported. This Safeguarding Policy outlines the steps we take to safeguard the well-being of our players, coaches, staff, and volunteers from abuse or harm.
1. Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
Ensure that children and vulnerable adults participating in All-Startz Football Academy activities are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Create a culture of openness, trust, and transparency where all concerns are listened to and addressed appropriately.
Provide clear guidelines for staff, coaches, volunteers, and parents on how to recognise, respond to, and report safeguarding concerns.
2. Our Commitment to Safeguarding
All-Startz Football Academy is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all players, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or background.
We believe that the welfare of the child is paramount, and all children have the right to be protected from harm and to have their views and wishes respected.
All staff and volunteers at the academy are required to undergo safeguarding training and background checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children and vulnerable individuals.
3. Safeguarding Responsibilities
Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO): The academy has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and handling safeguarding concerns. Contact details for the DSO will be clearly displayed at the academy.
Coaches and Staff: All coaches, staff, and volunteers are responsible for being vigilant, listening to concerns, and reporting any signs of abuse or neglect.
Parents and Guardians: We encourage parents and guardians to be aware of safeguarding practices and to work with the academy to ensure the safety and well-being of all players.
4. Recognising Abuse
Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect. All staff and volunteers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of each type of abuse.
Physical Abuse: Unexplained injuries, frequent absences from training, fear of physical contact, and reluctance to change clothes for training.
Emotional Abuse: Extreme behaviours, withdrawal, low self-esteem, or inappropriate responses to situations.
Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate sexualised behaviour or language, or signs of distress following physical contact or situations involving other players or adults.
Neglect: Poor hygiene, malnutrition, inadequate clothing, and the absence of necessary medical care or attention.
5. Preventing Abuse
Safe Recruitment: All staff, coaches, and volunteers must undergo rigorous recruitment processes, including background checks (e.g., DBS checks), reference checks, and safeguarding training before working with children or vulnerable individuals.
Code of Conduct: All coaches, staff, players, and parents must adhere to the academy’s Code of Conduct, which promotes respectful behaviour and boundaries.
Training and Education: All staff and volunteers will receive regular safeguarding training, which includes recognising signs of abuse, how to respond to disclosures, and how to maintain a safe environment for all participants.
6. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
If any safeguarding concerns arise, staff, coaches, and volunteers are required to report them to the Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately.
If a child or vulnerable adult discloses abuse, it is crucial that their concerns are taken seriously, and they are not pressured to give details. The individual receiving the disclosure should listen calmly, record the details, and report it to the DSO.
All safeguarding concerns will be investigated in line with the academy’s safeguarding procedures, and appropriate actions will be taken to protect the individual involved.
7. Reporting Procedures
Step 1: Report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). If the DSO is not available, report to another senior member of staff or coach.
Step 2: The DSO will assess the concern, record it, and determine the next course of action. If necessary, the DSO will contact external agencies (e.g., local safeguarding boards, police, or social services) for further advice or intervention.
Step 3: The concerned party will be kept informed of the actions taken, and confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process. However, the welfare of the child is always the priority.
8. Confidentiality
All safeguarding concerns will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and information will only be shared with those who need to know, in order to protect the welfare of the child or vulnerable adult.
In cases where there is a need to report to external authorities, the DSO will ensure that the appropriate information is shared in accordance with legal requirements.
9. Supporting Those Affected
Support for Players: Players who have experienced abuse or safeguarding concerns will receive appropriate support, including counselling or specialist services, to help them recover.
Support for Coaches and Staff: If a staff member or coach is affected by a safeguarding issue, they will have access to support through the academy, such as debriefing, counselling, and additional training.
10. Whistleblowing
Any member of staff, coach, or volunteer who feels that a colleague or another individual has failed to act in accordance with the safeguarding policy is encouraged to report the matter. This can be done through the DSO or via a confidential whistleblowing procedure.
11. Review and Monitoring
This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed regularly, at least annually, to ensure that it remains up-to-date and effective.
Feedback from players, parents, staff, and other stakeholders will be considered as part of the review process to ensure continuous improvement.