Safeguarding refers to actions taken to promote the wellbeing of children and to ensure they are safe from harm. It means proactively doing everything possible to minimise risk and prevent all forms of harassment, abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children.
FIFA has made safeguarding children in football a priority and requires all schools and coach-educators participating in the Football for Schools programme to ensure they are keeping children safe.
Schools taking part in the Football for Schools programme must have a child protection or safeguarding children policy in place and all coach-educators taking part in the programme should be vetted as being suitable to work with children. They should be trained in safeguarding practices and be familiar with their school’s child protection/safeguarding policy and procedures.
Teachers, coaches and other football staff and volunteers play an essential role in the sporting and social development of children. As such, you have a duty of care to create a safe, inclusive and positive environment for all boys and girls in the delivery of Football for Schools activities. It is important that everyone involved in this programme respects the rights and wellbeing of children in our game.
To confirm your absolute commitment to these values and to use the Football for Schools app coach-educators are required to:
- Complete the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials Online Training Course
- E-Sign the Football for Schools code of conduct for Coach-Educators.
- Complete all relevant training as required by your school, club, and national football association or other education that may be required by law in your country to work with children.
It is strongly recommended that all users of the Football for Schools App visit the Football for Schools website and the FIFA Guardian website to increase their awareness of safeguarding children in football.
Coach-educators should:
- Be vetted as being suitable to work with children
- Be familiar with and adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures of their school, club, and national football federation.
- Recognise safeguarding risks in football and how you can help to reduce risks
- Understand the different types of child abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation
- Know how to respond appropriately to concerns about a child. This includes knowing who to contact and where to report concerns if you are worried about the well-being of a child.
- Know how to conduct themselves when teaching/coaching football to create a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for children to participate in football