Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Justin Tyrrell

Review Frequency: At least annually and following any significant safeguarding incident, change in legislation/guidance or change in operating practice.

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1. Policy Statement

Soccer Star Coaching is committed to providing a safe, positive, inclusive and enjoyable environment for every child and young person who attends our activities.

The welfare and wellbeing of children is our paramount consideration.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All coaches, staff and anyone working on behalf of Soccer Star Coaching have a responsibility to help protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, inappropriate behaviour and avoidable harm.

All safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and responded to promptly and appropriately.

This policy applies to all Soccer Star Coaching activities, including:

• Holiday football/soccer camps;
• Weekly coaching sessions;
• One-day camps and events;
• School-based activities;
• Soccer Star Coaching events and parties;
• Any other activity organised or delivered by Soccer Star Coaching.

For the purposes of this policy, a child is anyone under the age of 18.

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2. Our Safeguarding Principles

Soccer Star Coaching will:

• Put children’s welfare and safety first.
• Treat all children with dignity and respect.
• Provide activities in an environment appropriate to their age and ability.
• Take reasonable steps to protect children from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying and inappropriate behaviour.
• Listen to children and take their concerns seriously.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries between coaches and children.
• Use appropriate safer-recruitment procedures.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recorded and reported appropriately.
• Work with parents/carers and statutory safeguarding authorities when necessary.
• Continually review our safeguarding arrangements and improve procedures where appropriate.

No child should receive less favourable treatment because of their age, sex, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, or any other protected or personal characteristic.

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3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Soccer Star Coaching’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:

Justin Tyrrell

Soccer Star Coaching

Telephone: 07983 565847

The DSL is responsible for overseeing safeguarding arrangements within Soccer Star Coaching, including:

• Receiving safeguarding concerns;
• Ensuring concerns are appropriately recorded;
• Deciding when concerns require referral or advice from statutory agencies;
• Supporting coaches who receive disclosures;
• Reviewing safeguarding procedures;
• Ensuring staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities;
• Cooperating with safeguarding authorities where required.

The DSL is not responsible for personally investigating allegations of abuse. Where appropriate, concerns will be referred to the relevant statutory authority.

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4. Safer Recruitment and Staff Suitability

Soccer Star Coaching takes reasonable steps to ensure that individuals working with children are suitable to do so.

Depending upon the role and jurisdiction in which an individual works, this may include:

• Application and recruitment checks;
• Identity verification;
• References;
• Appropriate criminal-record checks, such as an Enhanced DBS check in England where the role is eligible;
• Relevant coaching qualifications;
• Safeguarding training;
• First-aid qualifications where required;
• Induction into Soccer Star Coaching policies and procedures.

Staff must inform Soccer Star Coaching of any circumstances that may affect their suitability to work with children.

No member of staff should undertake duties for which legally required safeguarding or vetting requirements have not been satisfied.

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5. Staff Code of Conduct

All coaches and staff must maintain appropriate professional relationships with children.

Staff should:

• Be positive role models.
• Treat children fairly and respectfully.
• Use appropriate language.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
• Ensure any necessary physical contact is appropriate to the activity and child’s needs.
• Avoid situations where they are unnecessarily isolated alone with a child.
• Never engage in sexually suggestive behaviour, inappropriate conversation or inappropriate physical contact.
• Never humiliate, intimidate, threaten or deliberately frighten a child.
• Never use physical punishment.
• Challenge bullying, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour.
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly.

Staff must never use their position of trust to establish an inappropriate relationship with a child.

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6. Supervision

Children will be appropriately supervised while participating in Soccer Star Coaching activities.

Coaching groups will normally be organised according to factors including:

• Age/school year;
• Number of children;
• Ability;
• Nature of the activity;
• Venue;
• Available coaching staff.

Where children are moved between groups, coaches should consider their age, maturity, ability, welfare and the appropriateness of the group.

Coaches should remain aware of the location and activities of children under their supervision, including during breaks, lunch periods and transitions between activities.

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7. Mobile Phones and Personal Electronic Devices

Children

For safeguarding reasons, children must not bring or use mobile phones or personal electronic devices at Soccer Star Coaching camps unless an exception has been agreed in advance.

Mobile phones create safeguarding difficulties because children can potentially access, record, share or receive inappropriate material without coaches being aware.

This can be particularly difficult to monitor during:

• Lunch breaks;
• Drink breaks;
• Toilet transitions;
• Rest periods;
• Times when coaches are actively delivering sessions to other children.

Children can easily conceal a device from coaches, meaning it is not reasonably possible for staff to continuously monitor what every child is viewing, recording or sharing.

If a child is found using a mobile phone without permission, the device may be held safely by coaching staff and returned at the end of the day. Parents/carers may be contacted where appropriate.

Medical Exceptions

Where a child requires a mobile phone or electronic device for a genuine medical reason, such as monitoring a medical condition, parents/carers must contact Soccer Star Coaching in advance.

Appropriate arrangements will then be agreed with the coaching team.

Staff

Staff must use personal mobile phones responsibly while supervising children.

Staff must not use personal devices to engage in inappropriate private communication with children or to take unauthorised photographs or videos.

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8. Photography and Video

Soccer Star Coaching may occasionally take photographs or videos for legitimate purposes including:

• Marketing;
• Social media;
• Website content;
• Promotional material;
• Recording Soccer Star Coaching activities.

Appropriate parental/carer consent will be obtained where required.

Staff must not take inappropriate photographs or videos of children.

Photography must never take place in toilets, changing areas or other circumstances in which children would reasonably expect privacy.

Parents/carers should also respect the privacy of other children when taking photographs or videos at Soccer Star Coaching activities.

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9. Social Media and Electronic Communication

Coaches must maintain professional boundaries when communicating electronically.

Coaches should not ordinarily:

• Privately message children through personal social-media accounts;
• Add children attending Soccer Star Coaching as personal social-media contacts;
• Exchange inappropriate private messages with children;
• Share inappropriate material with children.

Communication regarding bookings, sessions or children’s attendance should normally be conducted with the child’s parent/carer.

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10. Toilets and Changing Facilities

Children should be able to use toilet and changing facilities safely and with appropriate privacy.

Coaches should avoid entering toilets or changing areas occupied by children unless there is a legitimate safeguarding, medical or emergency reason.

Where assistance is genuinely required, appropriate safeguarding considerations must be applied.

Children should never be photographed or filmed in toilet or changing facilities.

Any concerning behaviour occurring within these areas should be reported immediately.

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11. Bullying

Soccer Star Coaching does not tolerate bullying.

Bullying may include:

• Physical bullying;
• Verbal abuse;
• Threats;
• Deliberate exclusion;
• Discrimination;
• Cyberbullying;
• Repeated teasing or humiliation;
• Intimidation.

Coaches will intervene where they become aware of bullying.

Depending on the seriousness of the behaviour, action may include speaking to the children involved, separating children, informing parents/carers, removing a child from an activity or camp, or making a safeguarding referral.

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12. Behaviour Between Children

Safeguarding concerns can arise from behaviour between children as well as from adults.

This can include:

• Violence;
• Sexualised behaviour;
• Sexual harassment;
• Sharing explicit material;
• Bullying;
• Coercion;
• Threats;
• Discriminatory abuse;
• Online abuse.

Staff must not dismiss concerning behaviour simply because those involved are children.

Serious or potentially harmful behaviour must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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13. Medical Conditions and Additional Needs

Parents/carers are responsible for providing accurate and relevant information concerning their child’s:

• Medical conditions;
• Allergies;
• Medication;
• Additional needs;
• Disabilities;
• Behavioural or support needs.

Soccer Star Coaching will make reasonable efforts to support children with additional needs where it is safe and practicable to do so.

Any specific arrangements should be discussed with Soccer Star Coaching before attendance where possible.

Coaches should not administer medication unless appropriate arrangements have specifically been agreed.

Emergency medical assistance will be sought where necessary.

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14. Drop-Off and Collection

Parents/carers must follow the collection arrangements communicated for the particular activity.

Younger children will only be released in accordance with the collection arrangements established for their group.

Older children may operate under different collection procedures where this has been communicated to parents/carers. Where an older child is permitted to leave to meet a parent/carer, coaches should only release the child in accordance with the agreed procedure.

Parents/carers must inform Soccer Star Coaching if another person will collect their child where required by the relevant collection procedure.

Where there is uncertainty about whether a child can safely leave, staff should keep the child under supervision while the matter is clarified.

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15. Missing Child Procedure

If a child cannot be located during an activity:

1. The coach must immediately inform the lead coach.
2. Staff will establish when and where the child was last seen.
3. An appropriate search of the immediate venue will begin while ensuring other children remain supervised.
4. The child’s parent/carer will be contacted where appropriate.
5. Venue staff will be informed where relevant.
6. Police/emergency services will be contacted promptly where the circumstances require it.
7. The incident will be recorded.
8. The circumstances will subsequently be reviewed.

The safety of the remaining children must not be compromised while searching for a missing child.

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16. Responding to a Disclosure

If a child tells a coach or member of staff that they have been harmed or abused, the staff member should:

• Remain calm.
• Listen carefully.
• Take the child seriously.
• Allow the child to speak in their own words.
• Avoid asking leading or investigative questions.
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking.
• Explain that the information may need to be shared with people who can help keep them safe.
• Make an accurate written record as soon as possible.
• Report the disclosure immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Staff must not promise confidentiality.

It is not the coach’s responsibility to investigate whether abuse has occurred.

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17. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Any member of staff who:

• Sees something concerning;
• Receives a disclosure;
• Notices unexplained injuries or concerning behaviour;
• Becomes concerned about another adult’s behaviour;
• Suspects abuse or neglect;
• Becomes aware of inappropriate online behaviour;

must report the matter promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Information should be factual and should include, where known:

• Child’s name;
• Date/time;
• Nature of concern;
• What was observed;
• What the child actually said;
• Actions already taken;
• Names of relevant witnesses.

Safeguarding records will be handled sensitively and access restricted appropriately.

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18. Allegations Against a Coach or Member of Staff

Any allegation that a coach, staff member or other adult working with Soccer Star Coaching has harmed a child, behaved inappropriately towards a child, or may pose a risk to children will be treated seriously.

Soccer Star Coaching may immediately restrict or suspend the individual’s duties while appropriate advice is sought.

This is a protective measure and does not itself determine that an allegation is true.

Where required, Soccer Star Coaching will refer the allegation to the appropriate statutory safeguarding authority, police, governing body or other relevant organisation.

Staff must not attempt to privately investigate serious safeguarding allegations.

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19. Immediate Danger

Where there is reason to believe a child is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance, staff should contact the appropriate emergency services without delay.

Protecting the child takes priority over internal reporting procedures.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead and parent/carer should subsequently be informed where doing so is appropriate and does not increase the risk to the child.

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20. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information needs to be shared to protect a child.

Information should only be shared with those who legitimately need it for safeguarding purposes.

The protection and welfare of the child will take priority when determining whether safeguarding information should be shared.

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21. Parents and Carers

Soccer Star Coaching recognises parents and carers as important partners in safeguarding children.

Parents/carers are expected to:

• Provide accurate emergency contact information.
• Disclose relevant medical and additional-needs information.
• Follow drop-off and collection procedures.
• Treat coaches and children appropriately.
• Inform Soccer Star Coaching of relevant safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure children understand expected behaviour.
• Follow Soccer Star Coaching’s mobile-phone and safeguarding requirements.

Where appropriate, parents/carers will be informed of safeguarding concerns involving their child.

However, information may be referred directly to statutory authorities without first informing a parent/carer where notifying them could place a child at greater risk or compromise a safeguarding investigation.

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22. Child-on-Child Contact Outside Soccer Star Coaching

Soccer Star Coaching strongly advises parents/carers to appropriately supervise children’s online activity and communications.

Children may form friendships while attending camps or sessions. Soccer Star Coaching cannot control private communications or interactions taking place outside its activities.

However, where Soccer Star Coaching becomes aware of potentially harmful behaviour connected with children who have met through our activities, the information will be considered from a safeguarding perspective and appropriate action taken where necessary.

Our prohibition on mobile phones at camps is intended, among other things, to reduce opportunities for inappropriate content, contact details or other material to be exchanged during camp.

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23. Online Safety

Children should not use Soccer Star Coaching activities as an opportunity to access, display or distribute:

• Pornographic or sexually explicit material;
• Violent or disturbing content;
• Material relating to illegal drugs or other age-inappropriate substances;
• Bullying or discriminatory material;
• Inappropriate social-media content;
• Images or recordings of other children taken without appropriate permission.

Any serious online-safety incident identified during an activity must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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24. Physical Contact

Football coaching may occasionally involve appropriate physical contact, for example when:

• Demonstrating a technique;
• Preventing an injury;
• Providing first aid;
• Assisting a child following an injury.

Physical contact must be appropriate, necessary and proportionate.

Coaches should explain physical assistance where practicable and respect a child’s wishes wherever possible.

Inappropriate, unnecessary or punitive physical contact is prohibited.

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25. First Aid and Injuries

Appropriate first-aid arrangements will be maintained for Soccer Star Coaching activities.

Significant injuries or incidents should be recorded.

Parents/carers will be informed where appropriate.

Emergency services will be contacted where an injury or medical situation requires urgent professional treatment.

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26. Discrimination and Inclusion

Soccer Star Coaching aims to provide an inclusive environment.

Discrimination, harassment or abuse based upon a child’s background, identity, disability, ability or personal characteristics will not be tolerated.

Coaches should challenge discriminatory language or behaviour and report serious or repeated incidents.

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27. Whistleblowing

Staff should feel able to raise safeguarding concerns about:

• Another coach;
• Senior staff;
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• Soccer Star Coaching’s practices;
• Any other person working with children.

No member of staff should be disadvantaged for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

Where a concern relates to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or cannot appropriately be dealt with internally, it should be reported directly to the relevant external safeguarding authority.

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28. External Safeguarding Authorities

Soccer Star Coaching operates activities in more than one jurisdiction.

Where a safeguarding concern requires external referral, Soccer Star Coaching will contact the appropriate safeguarding, social-care, police, governing-body or child-protection authority for the location in which the concern arises.

In an emergency where a child is at immediate risk, the emergency services should be contacted immediately.

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29. Recording Incidents

Safeguarding concerns and significant incidents should be recorded as soon as reasonably possible.

Records should distinguish between:

• Facts;
• Direct observations;
• Information reported by another person;
• The child’s own words;
• Professional concerns or decisions.

Safeguarding records will be stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements.

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30. Policy Breaches

Failure by a coach or member of staff to comply with this policy may result in action including:

• Additional training;
• Formal warning;
• Removal from a particular activity;
• Suspension from coaching duties;
• Termination of engagement;
• Referral to an appropriate governing or statutory authority.

Serious safeguarding concerns may be referred externally regardless of any internal action taken.

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31. Policy Review

Soccer Star Coaching will review this policy at least annually.

An earlier review may take place following:

• A safeguarding incident;
• A complaint raising safeguarding concerns;
• Changes to legislation or official guidance;
• Changes to Soccer Star Coaching activities;
• Identification of weaknesses or improvements in existing procedures.

Lessons identified following incidents or complaints will be incorporated into future safeguarding practice wherever appropriate.

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32. Commitment

Everyone working for or on behalf of Soccer Star Coaching has a role in keeping children safe.

Our aim is not simply to respond when something goes wrong, but to create an environment in which safeguarding is embedded in everyday coaching practice.

If you see something, hear something or are concerned about a child’s welfare, report it.

Anti-Bullying Policy

1. Policy Statement

Soccer Star Coaching is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive and positive environment where every child can enjoy football, develop their skills, make friends and feel valued.

Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.

All children and young people have the right to participate in Soccer Star Coaching activities without fear of bullying, intimidation, discrimination, harassment or humiliation.

We will take all reports and concerns about bullying seriously and respond appropriately, fairly and promptly.

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2. What Is Bullying?

Bullying is behaviour that hurts, intimidates, humiliates or excludes another person. It will often be repeated behaviour and may involve an imbalance of power, although a serious one-off incident may still require immediate action under our safeguarding or behaviour procedures.

Bullying can include:

• Physical bullying – hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, deliberately hurting someone, damaging belongings or unwanted physical contact.
• Verbal bullying – name-calling, insults, threats, teasing, mocking or making offensive comments.
• Social or emotional bullying – deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumours, embarrassing someone, encouraging others not to be friends with them or attempting to isolate them from a group.
• Discriminatory bullying – targeting someone because of characteristics such as race, nationality, religion, disability, sex or other aspects of their identity or background.
• Cyberbullying – bullying through mobile phones, messaging services, social media, online gaming or other digital platforms.
• Football-related bullying – repeatedly mocking a child’s ability, mistakes, appearance, team, performance or level of experience.

Friendly, mutually enjoyed joking or normal disagreements between children are not necessarily bullying. However, if behaviour is upsetting, harmful or unwanted, coaches should take it seriously and intervene appropriately.

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3. Our Approach to Preventing Bullying

Soccer Star Coaching will aim to prevent bullying by:

• Creating an environment based on respect, teamwork, inclusion and enjoyment.
• Setting clear expectations for children’s behaviour.
• Ensuring coaches provide positive role models.
• Encouraging children to support and include one another.
• Challenging inappropriate language, discriminatory comments and bullying behaviour.
• Supervising children appropriately during coaching sessions, breaks and other activities.
• Encouraging children to speak to a coach if something is making them uncomfortable or unhappy.
• Taking concerns raised by children and parents seriously.
• Ensuring staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Following our safeguarding, code of conduct and mobile-phone policies.

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4. Responsibilities of Coaches and Staff

All Soccer Star Coaching coaches and staff have a responsibility to help prevent and respond to bullying.

Coaches must:

• Be alert to signs that a child may be experiencing bullying.
• Intervene when they witness bullying or inappropriate behaviour.
• Listen carefully when a child reports a concern.
• Take the child’s concerns seriously and avoid dismissing behaviour as simply “banter”.
• Remain calm and avoid humiliating any child involved.
• Establish the basic facts without conducting an inappropriate investigation or pressuring children.
• Record and report significant or repeated incidents through the appropriate Soccer Star Coaching procedure.
• Inform the lead coach or safeguarding person where appropriate.
• Consider the needs and welfare of all children involved, including the child displaying bullying behaviour.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality.
• Escalate any situation that may constitute a safeguarding concern in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.

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5. What We Will Do When Bullying Is Reported

When bullying is reported or witnessed, Soccer Star Coaching will respond according to the seriousness and circumstances of the incident.

This may include:

1. Ensuring the immediate safety and wellbeing of the child or children involved.
2. Speaking separately and appropriately with the children involved.
3. Establishing what has happened.
4. Reassuring the child who has reported the concern that it has been taken seriously.
5. Making clear to the child displaying bullying behaviour why the behaviour is unacceptable.
6. Informing parents/carers where appropriate.
7. Recording significant incidents.
8. Monitoring the situation to reduce the risk of the behaviour continuing.
9. Taking further action where bullying is repeated or serious.

Where appropriate, coaches may help children rebuild positive relationships, but a child who has experienced bullying will not be forced to apologise, meet with or reconcile with another child if this would make them uncomfortable or unsafe.

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6. Consequences of Bullying

Our aim is to help children understand why their behaviour is unacceptable and give them an opportunity to change it.

Depending on the seriousness or frequency of the behaviour, action may include:

• A verbal warning and explanation.
• Temporary removal from an activity or group.
• Speaking with the child’s parent or carer.
• Agreeing clear expectations for future behaviour.
• Increased supervision or monitoring.
• Moving children between groups where appropriate and where this does not unfairly disadvantage the child who has been bullied.
• Asking a parent/carer to collect their child.
• Suspension from Soccer Star Coaching activities.
• Removal from future sessions or camps in serious or persistent cases.

Serious physical violence, threats, discriminatory abuse or other significant safeguarding concerns may result in immediate escalation and may be referred to the appropriate authorities.

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7. Supporting a Child Who Has Experienced Bullying

A child who reports bullying should be listened to and supported.

Coaches should:

• Allow the child to explain what has happened in their own words.
• Reassure them that reporting the behaviour was the right thing to do.
• Explain what will happen next.
• Avoid blaming the child or suggesting they caused the bullying.
• Take reasonable steps to help them feel safe and included.
• Continue to monitor their wellbeing following the incident.

Parents/carers will be involved where appropriate.

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8. Children Displaying Bullying Behaviour

Soccer Star Coaching recognises that children who bully others may themselves need guidance or support.

We will make it clear that the behaviour is unacceptable without unnecessarily labelling the child as a “bully”.

Where appropriate, coaches will help the child understand:

• How their behaviour has affected others.
• Why the behaviour is unacceptable.
• What is expected of them in future.
• How they can behave differently and positively within the group.

Repeated or serious behaviour will result in further action.

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9. Cyberbullying and Mobile Phones

Bullying that takes place online can affect children while attending Soccer Star Coaching, even where the original messages or posts were sent outside our activities.

Any online behaviour brought to our attention that affects the safety or welfare of children attending our sessions will be taken seriously.

Soccer Star Coaching operates a no-mobile-phone policy for children at our camps, except where an agreed exemption is necessary, such as for a medical reason.

Where online bullying raises a safeguarding concern, it will be dealt with under our Safeguarding Policy and referred to appropriate authorities where necessary.

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10. Parents and Carers

Parents and carers are expected to support our efforts to prevent bullying.

We ask parents and carers to:

• Encourage their child to treat others with respect.
• Tell us promptly if their child reports bullying.
• Avoid confronting another child or their parent directly during a Soccer Star Coaching activity.
• Raise concerns calmly with a coach or Soccer Star Coaching.
• Avoid posting accusations or identifying children involved in incidents on social media.
• Work constructively with coaches to resolve concerns.

If a parent witnesses behaviour they believe is inappropriate, they should report it to a Soccer Star Coaching coach rather than intervening directly with another person’s child, unless immediate action is necessary to prevent harm.

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11. Safeguarding

Bullying can sometimes be a safeguarding issue, particularly where it involves serious or repeated physical violence, threats, sexualised behaviour, discrimination, exploitation or significant emotional harm.

Where there is reason to believe a child is at risk of harm, Soccer Star Coaching will follow its Safeguarding Policy and make referrals to the appropriate safeguarding agencies or emergency services where necessary.

The welfare and safety of the child will always take priority.

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12. Monitoring and Reviewing This Policy

Soccer Star Coaching will keep this policy under review and update it when necessary following changes in safeguarding guidance, legislation, our activities or lessons learned from incidents.

All coaches and staff are expected to understand and follow this policy.

Soccer Star Coaching’s Commitment

Football should be fun, safe and inclusive.

We want every child attending Soccer Star Coaching to feel comfortable being themselves, making friends, learning new skills and enjoying football without fear of bullying or intimidation.

Bullying has no place at Soccer Star Coaching.

Code of Conduct for Coaches, Staff, Parents and Carers

Soccer Star Coaching is committed to providing a safe, positive, inclusive and enjoyable environment for every child attending our weekly coaching sessions, holiday camps and other activities.

Everyone involved with Soccer Star Coaching has a responsibility to behave appropriately and help protect the welfare of children and young people.

1. Code of Conduct for Coaches and Staff

All Soccer Star Coaching coaches, employees and volunteers must:

• Put the welfare and safety of children first at all times.
• Treat every child fairly and with respect, dignity and patience, regardless of ability, background, gender or individual needs.
• Provide a positive environment where children can have fun, develop their football skills, build confidence and make friends.
• Never use threatening, intimidating, discriminatory, humiliating or inappropriate language or behaviour.
• Never physically punish a child or use physical activity as an inappropriate form of punishment.
• Avoid favouritism and treat children consistently and fairly.
• Remember that they are in a position of trust and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children.
• Never give children personal contact details or communicate privately with children through social media, messaging apps or other personal accounts.
• Where communication is necessary, communicate with the child’s parent or carer through appropriate channels.
• Only provide personal or intimate care in an emergency or where it is necessary and appropriate as part of their role and agreed procedures.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact. Where physical contact is appropriate for coaching, safety or first aid, it must be appropriate, proportionate and in the child’s interests.
• Wherever reasonably possible, avoid situations where a coach is unnecessarily alone and out of sight with a child.
• Follow Soccer Star Coaching’s procedures regarding mobile phones, photography, filming and social media.
• Never take photographs or videos of children on a personal device unless specifically authorised in accordance with Soccer Star Coaching’s policies and the appropriate consent has been obtained.
• Never consume alcohol or illegal drugs while responsible for children, and never attend a session while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Follow appropriate procedures for administering first aid, dealing with injuries and responding to medical needs.
• Listen to children and take anything they tell you about their safety or welfare seriously.
• Never promise to keep a safeguarding disclosure secret. Explain that information may need to be shared with the appropriate person to keep them or another child safe.
• Immediately report any safeguarding concern, disclosure, allegation or concerning behaviour to the appropriate safeguarding person in accordance with Soccer Star Coaching’s safeguarding procedures.
• Report concerns about the conduct of another coach or adult, even where doing so may feel uncomfortable.
• Never investigate a safeguarding allegation themselves.
• Maintain confidentiality and only share safeguarding information with those who need to know.
• Follow all Soccer Star Coaching safeguarding policies, risk assessments, procedures and staff instructions.
• Act as a positive role model at all times.

2. Managing Children’s Behaviour

Coaches should encourage good behaviour through praise, clear expectations and appropriate boundaries.

Where a child’s behaviour is inappropriate, coaches should respond calmly and proportionately. Children should be given an opportunity to understand what behaviour needs to change.

Bullying, violence, discriminatory behaviour, persistent abusive language or behaviour that places another child at risk will not be tolerated.

Where behaviour is serious or persistent, a parent/carer may be contacted and, where necessary, Soccer Star Coaching reserves the right to remove a child from an activity to protect the welfare and safety of the child, other participants and staff.

3. Code of Conduct for Parents and Carers

We want parents and carers to play a positive part in their child’s experience with Soccer Star Coaching. Parents and carers attending our activities must:

• Encourage their child to participate for enjoyment, development and exercise, rather than placing excessive pressure on them to perform or win.
• Encourage good sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and other families.
• Respect the decisions and instructions of Soccer Star Coaching staff.
• Allow coaches to coach without repeatedly interfering with sessions or giving conflicting instructions from the sidelines.
• Never shout at, ridicule, intimidate, threaten or use abusive language towards a child, coach, official or another parent.
• Never engage in aggressive, threatening, discriminatory or violent behaviour.
• Remember that the participants are children and young people, and mistakes are a normal part of learning and development.
• Raise concerns calmly and appropriately with a member of the coaching team rather than confronting children or other parents directly.
• Never discipline, reprimand or confront another person’s child. Any concern about another child’s behaviour should be reported to a coach.
• Respect the privacy of all children and follow Soccer Star Coaching’s photography, filming and mobile-phone requirements.
• Follow venue rules and any safety instructions given by Soccer Star Coaching staff.
• Provide accurate and up-to-date information about their child’s relevant needs and emergency contact details.
• Ensure appropriate arrangements are made for dropping off and collecting their child and follow the procedures communicated for the particular activity.
• Inform Soccer Star Coaching if someone different will be collecting their child where required by the collection procedure.
• Contact Soccer Star Coaching promptly if they have a safeguarding or welfare concern.

4. Photography, Filming and Social Media

The welfare and privacy of children must always come first.

Photography and filming must only take place in accordance with Soccer Star Coaching’s photography and safeguarding policies. Appropriate consent must be obtained where required.

Images must never be taken or shared if they could portray a child negatively, compromise their dignity or safety, or be open to inappropriate interpretation or misuse.

Children should not normally be personally identified alongside photographs or videos.

Parents should not photograph or film other children in circumstances where they have been asked not to do so. Images containing other people’s children should not be posted publicly or on social media without appropriate permission.

5. Safeguarding Concerns

The welfare of the child always takes priority.

Any coach or member of staff who sees, hears or receives information that causes them to be concerned about the welfare of a child must report it in accordance with Soccer Star Coaching’s safeguarding procedures.

Staff should record factual information as soon as reasonably possible and must not attempt to conduct their own investigation.

Where there is an immediate risk of significant harm or an emergency, the appropriate emergency services or safeguarding authorities should be contacted without delay.

6. Breaches of the Code of Conduct

Soccer Star Coaching takes breaches of this Code of Conduct seriously.

Concerns about a member of staff may result in appropriate action being taken while the matter is considered, including removal from coaching duties where necessary to protect children.

Parents or carers who behave inappropriately may be asked to stop the behaviour, leave the venue or refrain from attending future sessions. Serious or repeated breaches may result in their child’s place being withdrawn where this is necessary to maintain a safe and appropriate environment.

Serious safeguarding concerns will be referred to the appropriate authorities where required.

Our Commitment

Soccer Star Coaching believes every child has the right to enjoy football in an environment where they feel safe, respected, included and valued.

All coaches, staff, parents and carers are expected to work together to maintain these standards and ensure that the welfare of children remains our highest priority.

Photography and Filming Policy Statement

1. Policy Statement

Soccer Star Coaching recognises that photographs and videos can play an important role in celebrating children’s achievements, promoting our activities and providing parents with positive memories of their child’s participation.

However, the safety, welfare, dignity and privacy of children and young people must always come first.

This policy applies to photographs, videos and other digital images taken during Soccer Star Coaching’s weekly lessons, holiday camps, events and other activities.

Soccer Star Coaching will take reasonable steps to ensure that photography and filming are carried out safely, appropriately and only for legitimate purposes.

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2. Consent

Soccer Star Coaching will obtain appropriate parent or carer consent before taking or using identifiable photographs or videos of a child for promotional, marketing or publicity purposes.

Where appropriate, the child’s wishes will also be respected. Even where parental consent has been provided, a child should not be forced or pressured to participate in a photograph or video if they do not wish to.

Parents/carers can inform Soccer Star Coaching if they do not consent to their child being photographed or filmed.

Where consent is withdrawn, Soccer Star Coaching will take reasonable steps to ensure that the child is not included in future photography or filming.

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3. How We May Use Images

With appropriate consent, Soccer Star Coaching may use photographs and videos for legitimate purposes including:

• Our website.
• Soccer Star Coaching social media accounts.
• Advertising and promotional materials.
• Electronic or printed flyers and posters.
• Emails and communications with parents.
• Celebrating camps, coaching sessions, events and children’s achievements.
• Internal coaching or training purposes where appropriate.

Images will only be used in a manner consistent with the purpose for which consent was obtained.

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4. Protecting Children’s Identity

As a general rule, Soccer Star Coaching will not publish a child’s full name alongside their photograph or video.

We will avoid publishing information that could unnecessarily identify a child or disclose personal information about them.

Where there is a genuine reason for identifying a young person, specific consideration will be given to whether this is necessary and appropriate and whether suitable consent has been obtained.

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5. Appropriate Images

Photographs and videos must present children and Soccer Star Coaching activities in a positive and appropriate manner.

We will not take, use or share images that:

• Present a child or the activity in a negative, embarrassing or humiliating way.
• Could reasonably be considered inappropriate.
• Show children in unsuitable dress or kit.
• Unnecessarily focus on particular areas of a child’s body.
• Use camera angles or positions that could make an image more susceptible to misinterpretation or misuse.
• Show a child in a vulnerable or distressed situation unless there is a legitimate safeguarding or evidential reason for recording the situation and it is handled appropriately.

Where relevant to the activity, children should be wearing the appropriate kit and recommended safety equipment.

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6. Coaches and Staff Taking Photographs or Videos

Coaches and staff must follow this policy whenever taking photographs or videos during Soccer Star Coaching activities.

Photography or filming should only take place where there is a legitimate Soccer Star Coaching purpose.

Staff must:

• Ensure the appropriate consent is in place.
• Respect children who do not wish to be photographed.
• Follow instructions identifying children for whom photography consent has not been provided.
• Avoid inappropriate images or camera angles.
• Never photograph children while changing or in toilets or other private areas.
• Never take photographs or videos for their own personal use.
• Never privately send images of children to participants or use them to communicate personally with a child.
• Follow Soccer Star Coaching’s safeguarding, data protection and social-media requirements.

Where possible, designated Soccer Star Coaching devices should be used for official photography and filming rather than personal devices.

Where use of a personal device is specifically authorised for legitimate operational reasons, images must be transferred to the appropriate Soccer Star Coaching storage/account and removed from the personal device as soon as reasonably practicable.

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7. Images Used for Coaching and Training

There may be occasions where photographs or video footage are legitimately used to support football coaching, such as reviewing technique or demonstrating aspects of performance.

Coaches using images for these purposes must have clear authorisation and follow appropriate requirements regarding:

consent, purpose and use of the images, retention, secure storage and confidentiality.

Footage must not be retained longer than reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

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8. Storage and Security

Photographs and videos held by Soccer Star Coaching should be stored securely and only accessible to people who have a legitimate reason to access them.

Images must not be copied, retained or distributed unnecessarily.

When images are no longer required for the purpose for which they were obtained, they should be securely deleted in accordance with our data-retention arrangements.

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9. Photography by Parents and Carers

Soccer Star Coaching understands that parents and carers may wish to take photographs or videos of their own children during certain activities, presentations or events.

Where photography is permitted, parents and carers are expected to:

• Focus primarily on their own child.
• Respect instructions from Soccer Star Coaching staff regarding photography and filming.
• Stop filming or photographing if asked to do so for safeguarding reasons.
• Avoid taking inappropriate photographs or videos.
• Respect the privacy of other children and families.
• Be particularly careful when sharing images containing other people’s children on social media or other public platforms.

There may be circumstances where photography or filming by parents is restricted or prohibited because of safeguarding or privacy concerns. Any such instruction must be respected.

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10. Unauthorised or Suspicious Photography

Coaches and staff should remain vigilant about photography and filming taking place during Soccer Star Coaching activities.

If a person appears to be taking photographs or videos without a justifiable reason, particularly where their behaviour causes concern, a member of staff should appropriately challenge or report the behaviour.

Where necessary, the person may be asked to stop photographing or filming and/or leave the activity or venue.

If the circumstances raise a safeguarding concern, Soccer Star Coaching’s Safeguarding Policy must be followed, and the matter may be referred to the appropriate authorities.

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11. Children Using Mobile Phones and Cameras

Soccer Star Coaching operates a no-mobile-phone policy for children attending our holiday camps, except where an agreed exemption is required, such as for a medical reason.

Children must therefore not use mobile phones or other personal devices to photograph or film other children during camps.

Any permitted medical device or phone exemption does not provide permission for photography or filming.

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12. Social Media

Only photographs and videos that comply with this policy should be published through Soccer Star Coaching’s official social-media accounts.

Staff and coaches must not use photographs or videos obtained through their role with Soccer Star Coaching on their personal social-media accounts unless specifically authorised and appropriate consent exists.

Images should never be accompanied by unnecessary personal information about a child.

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13. Reporting Concerns

Any concerns regarding inappropriate photography, filming, sharing or use of images involving children should be reported to Soccer Star Coaching as soon as possible.

Where an image or behaviour may indicate that a child is at risk of harm, the matter will be treated as a safeguarding concern and dealt with in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.

Our Commitment

Soccer Star Coaching will always prioritise the safety, welfare, dignity and privacy of children when taking, storing or sharing photographs and videos.

Photography and filming should celebrate children’s participation in football while ensuring that images are appropriate, consented to, securely managed and used only for legitimate purposes.

TO SEE THE FULL DETAILS OF OUR GDPR POLICY CLICK HERE

TO SEE THE FULL DETAILS OF OUR REFUND POLICY CLICK HERE