Safeguarding In Open-Aged Football 

Every affiliated football club that involves under-18s must ensure they have appropriate safeguards in place. The following list of requirements aims to support adult clubs with open-age teams who have 16/17-year-old players, or are likely to sign 16/17-year-old players, to become and remain safeguarding compliant:

• Adopt and adhere to The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy:
Read and use The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy template which can be found here.

• Name a Club Welfare Officer (Open-Age Teams)

• Sign the “Safeguarding Declaration Open-Age Football” in order to affiliate

• Identify which teams have or are likely to have 16/17-year-old players:
If they are registered with your team then safeguards must be in place, even if they have not played yet.

• Identify the coaches/managers (including any assistant coaches/managers) and medics for each team:
Someone must be identified in this role. They do not have to hold any coaching qualifications to be named as the coach/team manager.
List them on The FA’s systems 
If the coach/manager changes, it is the club's responsibility to make sure information is up to date.

• Encourage team and club officials to complete the England Football Player Welfare course

• Support coaches/managers (including assistant coaches/managers) and medics working with 16/17-year-olds to complete an FA DBS Check.

• Provide 16/17-year-old players with safeguarding information:
Kent FA recommends that every player aged 16-17 is given a copy of Know Your Rights In Football. This document ensures young players understand their rights in feeling safe, comfortable, and not discriminated against, both on and off the field. It can also direct them to the appropriate help if they need to report a concern.

Many clubs will already be meeting these requirements, especially those who currently also provide youth football where similar requirements are already in place.

Kent FA are here to help you with this process and are committed to creating safe and enjoyable football for all. 

For further information or advice please contact our Safeguarding team at Safeguarding@KentFA.com or call the office on 01622 791850