Safeguarding Policy 2025/26

Safeguarding Policy

New Forest Football
Date adopted: 01/ 04/ 2015
Review date: 01/ 04/ 2026

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1. Policy Statement

New Forest Football is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all children and young people. We will ensure that everyone involved in our club (staff, volunteers, helpers) understands their responsibilities to safeguard and protect children from harm.

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2. Purpose

• To protect children and young people who attend club sessions from abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect, or other safeguarding concerns.

• To provide staff, volunteers, children, and parents with clear guidance on expected behaviour and how to report concerns.

• To ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), the UK Government out-of-school settings safeguarding guidance, and LADO procedures. MicroSports+3GOV.UK+3Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)+3

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3. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and any other adults associated with the Club, whether paid or unpaid, as well as children and participants. It covers all activities organised by the Club, on or off site.

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4. Definitions

• Child / young person: anyone under 18 years old.

• Safeguarding: protecting the health, well-being and human rights of children, ensuring they are free from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• Abuse: includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect.

• LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): the officer responsible for managing allegations against people who work with children. Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)

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5. Roles and Responsibilities

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6. Safe Recruitment and Checks

• All paid staff and volunteers with regular access to children must undergo appropriate checks – enhanced DBS, references, identity checks.

• Verify qualifications or experience.

• Ensure induction includes safeguarding training, behaviour expectations, understanding of policy.

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7. Code of Conduct

All staff, volunteers, helpers must agree to:

• Act in children’s best interests at all times.

• Maintain appropriate boundaries.

• Avoid any behaviour that could be misinterpreted.

• Use positive language, respect dignity, diversity and rights.

• Never discriminate, abuse, neglect or harm a child.

• Report any concerns or incidents immediately following procedure.

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8. Recognising Concerns and Reporting

Recognising signs of abuse

Staff should be alert to:

• Physical signs (injuries, marks)

• Behavioural changes (withdrawal, aggression)

• Emotional signs (fear, anxiety)

• Other indicators (neglect, poor hygiene, unsuitable clothing)

Reporting procedure

1. If a child is at immediate risk or danger, call 999.

2. If not immediate, report to the DSL without delay.

3. DSL assesses and if meets criteria, refers to relevant authorities / social care.

4. If allegation involves a member of staff / volunteer, follow LADO procedures.

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9. LADO Guidance

• What is a LADO: A Local Authority Designated Officer handles allegations made against people who work or volunteer with children. Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)

• When to contact the LADO:
    • If there is an allegation that a staff/volunteer has harmed a child or poses a risk.
    • If allegation could amount to criminal offence.
    • Repeated concerns or patterns of behaviour.

• How to report: Contact via telephone/email as per your local authority. Provide full written record of incident / concern, times, dates, witnesses.

• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality; share information only with those who need to know.

• Support and process: LADO will advise how to proceed, whether suspension is needed pending investigation, what agencies to involve (police, social care). Follow LADO guidance at all times.

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10. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

• Information should be shared only on a need-to-know basis.

• Maintain secure records of all concerns, reports, investigations.

• Follow GDPR / data protection laws when storing or sharing details.

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11. Training and Review

• All staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding training (including LADO awareness) at induction and refresher training at least annually.

• DSL and deputy should have more advanced/specialist training.

• Regular reviews of this policy (at least once per year) or sooner if legislation or guidance changes.

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12. Additional Safeguarding Measures

• First-aid trained staff available at sessions.

• Appropriate adult: child ratios maintained.

• Code of conduct for children (behaviour expectations).

• Clear, safe complaints / whistleblowing procedure for children, parents, staff.

• Safe use of mobile phones, cameras, social media – consent and policy in place.

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13. Monitoring, Evaluation and Audit

• The DSL will keep an incident log which is reviewed regularly.

• Management will audit compliance with policy and safe practices.

• If weaknesses are found, they will be addressed quickly.

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14. Contacts

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15. Policy Adoption

This policy was adopted by New Forest Football Academy on 01/04/2025.

Signed: Niall Marr (Director)