SAFE FOOTBALL REQUIRES CLEAR STANDARDS.
A public safeguarding framework for working with children and young people. Final procedures must be approved, implemented and followed operationally—not merely published.
1. Player welfare first
Kickstart should treat the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every child as more important than results, selection or football performance. Coaches and programme staff should work within an approved code of conduct.
2. Parent and guardian information
Registration should capture a responsible adult, emergency contact and relevant health or support information. Parents should receive clear details about training location, timetable, pickup/release arrangements, cancellations and communication channels.
3. Appropriate coach conduct
- Maintain professional boundaries with players.
- Avoid private or inappropriate communication with minors.
- Use age-appropriate coaching language and methods.
- Follow agreed supervision and release procedures.
- Report safeguarding concerns through the approved internal process.
4. Medical and injury response
Kickstart should document first-aid availability, emergency escalation, parent notification and return-to-play expectations. Medical information should be accessed only by people who need it for safe programme delivery.
5. Photos and video
Media use involving minors requires an explicit consent process appropriate to the school partnership and parent/guardian permissions. Consent should be specific enough that families understand how content may be used.
6. Finalisation required
This website text is a design-stage public framework, not a substitute for Kickstart adopting a full safeguarding policy, staff checks/training where required, incident reporting process and school-specific operating procedures.