UEFA

The role of the child safeguarding focal point is critical to an environment where children of all ages and abilities can safely participate in football and have fun. However, this does not mean that the focal point has sole responsibility for the safeguarding of children within an organisation. The role of the focal point, as the name suggests, is to provide a point of contact, and to advise, support and assist the organisation in the implementation of the child safeguarding policy and associated procedures, including responding&n

A general risk assessment should be conducted every year. It aims to identify risks and the necessary actions to reduce or remove them. Conducting a regular risk assessment also helps to implement the child safeguarding policy – depending on the actions identified, these can be incorporated into a child safeguarding action plan.

This form can be used to evaluate progress on implementing safeguarding procedures and processes. It is not an audit and should ideally be completed by the child safeguarding focal point, together with other club/organisation staff members. The form can be used in the development of an action plan to improve safeguarding practices and monitor progress.

Abuse and harm can occur anywhere, both within and outside the family and club/organisation. Children may be harmed or abused by
professionals, volunteers, carers, family members and other children.

Most children benefit greatly from their involvement in games. Nevertheless, in football, as in any other sport, children may be abused or harmed, irrespective of their age, gender, race, culture, religion, ability or sexual orientation.

Although football child abuse scandals reported in the press have focused on sexual abuse, it is important to understand that this is not the only form of abuse that children may experience.

This template Child safeguarding policy forms part of the Child safeguarding toolkit for UEFA member associations, in our efforts to support UEFA member associations in actions to safeguarding children. The policy outlines the guiding principles, minimum requirements and procedures to follow, in order to provide a safe environment for children.

The child safeguarding toolkit for European football has been developed by UEFA and Terre des hommes to help national associations take measures to protect and safeguard children from abuse and respond to any concerns. The toolkit recognises that many national associations have already introduced good policies, procedures and training, and builds on extensive consultation with national associations and experts.