Football Associations Safeguarding Children Policy
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Every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football, thus every club is required to endorse and adhere to the Associations Safeguarding Children Policy.

The FA recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. The FA is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all children and young people to participate in the sport to the best of their abilities for as long as they choose to do so. The Safeguarding Children Policy is supported by the FA's Respect programme to address verbal abuse and bullying of youngsters by parents and coaches on the sidelines. The Associations Safeguarding Child Policy Principles are:

- the childs welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration

- all children and young people have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, lanaguage racial origin, faith or sexual orientation

- all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

- working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents and carers is essential

The FA is committed to working in partnership with the Police, Children's Services Departments and Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB) in accordance with their procedures. This is essential to enable these organisations to carry out their statutory duties to investigate concerns and protect all children and young people.