Future Football Elite recognises its fundamental duty to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person entrusted to our care. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all participants. A child or young person is defined as anyone under the age of 18 involved in any academy-related activity. Future Football Elite fully subscribes to The Football Association’s (FA) Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures, and we adopt the core principles outlined in that guidance.

Taster Sessions

By booking a taster session or enrolling with Future Football Elite, parents/guardians agree to disclose any relevant medical conditions or medications their child may have by contacting [email protected]. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to determine whether the session is suitable based on their child’s medical needs and to inform us of any specific requirements in advance.

Key Principles

Our safeguarding approach is built around the following core principles, in line with the FA’s policy:

• The welfare of the child is always the top priority.
• Every child, regardless of background, ability, gender, race, or belief, has the right to protection from abuse.
• Allegations or suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and addressed promptly in partnership with parents, carers, and relevant agencies.
• All players should experience football in a safe and enjoyable environment, free from harm or poor practice.
• Every adult at Future Football Elite shares responsibility for safeguarding.
• We are committed to protecting children from emotional, physical, and sexual harm, as well as neglect and bullying.
• The FA’s Safeguarding Children Regulations apply to all individuals involved in football, whether paid or volunteer.

Responsible Recruitment

Future Football Elite follows the FA’s best practices for responsible recruitment of coaches and volunteers. As part of this process, we will:

• Clearly define roles and responsibilities.
• Verify identity through official documentation.
• Conduct interviews and reference checks.
• Require all eligible staff to undergo an FA-approved Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including Barring List clearance.
• Ensure all coaches hold a valid Safeguarding Certificate.

All staff working directly with children must hold an in-date DBS and meet current FA safeguarding standards. If any concerns arise regarding an individual, we will seek guidance from the FA, and any decisions will be made in the best interests of the children involved.

Whistleblowing

Future Football Elite supports The FA’s Whistleblowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about someone in a position of trust can contact The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863, email [email protected], or contact the Police, Social Services, or the NSPCC directly.

Welfare Officer

We have appointed a dedicated Club Welfare Officer in line with the FA’s role profile. This individual has completed the required Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer training and is the first point of contact for any welfare concerns. The Welfare Officer liaises with the County FA Welfare Officer and ensures all concerns are managed appropriately. They also work to raise awareness of safeguarding, poor practice, and the importance of Respect within the academy.

Anti-Bullying Commitment

Future Football Elite takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. Any concerns should be reported to our Club Welfare Officer, and in serious cases, the County FA Welfare Officer may be contacted. We aim to ensure every player and parent feels confident in raising concerns and assured that appropriate action will be taken.

Respect Code of Conduct

We implement The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for all players, parents, coaches, and officials. Future Football Elite has clear procedures for managing misconduct and may issue academy-level sanctions. In more serious cases, we acknowledge that further action may be taken by the County FA.