1. Commitment
Every child and vulnerable participant has the right to enjoy football in a safe, respectful and supportive environment. Odos Athletic FC has zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment, discrimination, grooming, trafficking, unsafe recruitment, retaliation or misuse of power.
2. Scope and Definitions
This Policy applies to directors, staff, coaches, volunteers, players, parents, guardians, scouts, agents, medical personnel, media workers, contractors, partners, visitors and anyone acting for the club or at club-controlled activities. A child is any person under 18. Safeguarding includes preventive action and responses to concerns about a child or vulnerable person’s welfare.
3. Safeguarding Principles
The welfare and best interests of the child come first.
Children are listened to, taken seriously and informed in age-appropriate language.
No child is excluded from protection because of sex, disability, background, ability, status or any other characteristic.
Concerns are reported promptly; club officials do not conduct criminal investigations themselves.
Information is shared only with people who need it to protect the child or fulfil lawful duties.
Adults are responsible for maintaining boundaries; responsibility is never placed on the child.
4. Safeguarding Roles
The Board is accountable for safeguarding governance. The club shall appoint a trained Designated Safeguarding Officer (“DSO”) and deputy, provide direct confidential contact details, maintain secure reporting records and ensure appropriate referrals. Coaches and officials are responsible for safe day-to-day practice but must escalate concerns to the DSO.
COMPLETE BEFORE ADOPTION: DSO [name, telephone, email]. Deputy [name, telephone, email]. Board safeguarding lead [name]. Verified external emergency, child-protection, Social Welfare and GFA safeguarding contacts [insert].
5. Safer Recruitment and Training
Use role descriptions, applications, identity checks, references, interviews and legally available background or suitability checks for child-contact roles.
Require disclosure of conflicts, relevant disciplinary history and qualifications.
Complete GFA-required safeguarding training and at least the applicable FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football certification before registration or recognition.
Provide induction on this Policy, the Code of Conduct, reporting, online conduct, transport, photography and boundaries.
Supervise new or temporary personnel and review safeguarding competence regularly.
6. Safe Adult–Child Conduct
Use observable, interruptible environments and, where practicable, more than one responsible adult.
Avoid being alone with a child. If an unavoidable emergency occurs, inform another official and document it.
Never engage in sexual, romantic, humiliating, exploitative or secretive conduct with a child.
Use physical contact only when necessary, appropriate, explained and related to coaching, safety or care; respect the child’s comfort.
Do not create dependency through favouritism, secret gifts, private accommodation or private meetings.
Never use corporal punishment, degrading exercises, denial of water or medical care, or training as retaliation.
7. Communication and Online Safety
Communication with minors must use approved club channels, relate to football, occur at reasonable times and include a parent, guardian or authorized club adult where appropriate. Adults must not use disappearing messages, sexualized content, secret accounts or requests for secrecy. Online bullying, grooming and unauthorized sharing must be reported.
8. Transport, Travel, Changing and Accommodation
Activities involving transport, overnight stays, changing facilities or medical care require risk assessment, appropriate supervision, attendance records, emergency contacts, consent, safe sleeping arrangements and separation of adults and children. A single adult should not transport a child alone except in a genuine emergency that is reported and recorded.
9. Photography and Media
Obtain appropriate consent before publishing identifiable images of minors. Avoid combining full names with precise locations or schedules, images in changing or medical areas, humiliating content and metadata that creates risk. Media access must be supervised and concerns about an image addressed promptly.
10. Health, Injuries and Medical Care
Collect necessary health and emergency information securely. First aid and medical decisions must be made by appropriately qualified or authorized people. Parents or guardians should be informed of significant injury or illness. A child must not be pressured to play when injured or medically unsafe.
11. Agents, Trials and Player Opportunities
Approaches involving agents, trials, travel, contracts or transfers—especially international opportunities—must be transparent, documented and reviewed with the player and parent or guardian. Officials must explain the risks of fake agents, advance fees, exploitative contracts and trafficking. No adult may privately control a child’s identity documents, money or travel without lawful authority and safeguards.
12. Reporting a Concern
If someone is in immediate danger, contact appropriate emergency or statutory services without delay.
Listen calmly. Do not promise secrecy, blame, confront the alleged person or ask leading questions.
Record the person’s own words, date, time, location, witnesses and actions taken. Do not alter the record.
Report promptly to the DSO or deputy. If they are implicated or unavailable, report to the Board safeguarding lead or appropriate external authority.
Preserve evidence and maintain need-to-know confidentiality. Do not post or discuss the matter publicly.
13. Response and Protection
The DSO will assess immediate safety, make appropriate referrals, preserve records and coordinate a club response without obstructing external authorities. Protective measures may include supervision changes or temporary removal from duties. Such measures are precautionary and do not predetermine guilt. Retaliation against a reporter, witness, child or family is prohibited.
14. Partner and Tournament Safeguarding
Safeguarding expectations apply to Lawgees FC, the Odos Cup and every partner, venue or service provider involved in child-facing activities. Agreements should identify safeguarding responsibilities, reporting routes, supervision, media rules and the right to suspend participation when safety is at risk.
15. Review and Awareness
Safeguarding risks will be assessed for training, matches, tournaments, transport, travel, trials, media and partner activities. This Policy will be explained to children and parents, reviewed at least annually and reconsidered after any serious incident or regulatory change.