FA and NSPCC launch ‘Play Safe’ scheme to improve safeguarding in football
At the end of last month, the FA and NSPCC announced the launch of the Play Safe campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of listening to children and what to do if concerns are raised.
The campaign has the full backing of the Premier League, EFL, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship.
Play Safe
The Play Safe campaign centres on three films, featuring players from England’s men's and women's teams. These films are targeted at a specific group involved in children's football: sports coaches, parents/guardians and children themselves.
Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, commented saying:
“As a youth team coach myself, I will be working with my club to ensure we support the Play Safe messaging,”
“I'm also pleased that the campaign has the support of the former footballers with lived experience of abuse in football, who are on our Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group.”
DBS Checks for Children in Sport
In general, anyone working with children in sport needs an Enhanced DBS Check. This is because people most roles involving children in sport meet the definition of ‘regulated activity’. Regulated activity is work that a barred person cannot do.
In sport environments, the type of regulated activity usually meets one of the following definitions:
Individuals who provide teaching, training or instruction to children; are directly responsible for caring or supervising children; or provide any form of advice or guidance relating to a child’s physical, emotional or educational well-being.
Individuals providing personal care - this is any kind of physical help, training, instruction, supervision, or guidance given to a child in relation to eating, drinking, toileting, washing or dressing because the child needs it due to their illness or a disability.
Individuals providing health care directly or those under the direction or supervision of a regulated health care professional (This does not include first aiders who volunteer alongside their primary role).
If you have staff whose role meets one of the above definitions, they will need an Enhanced DBS Check carried out. You can find more information in our comprehensive guide here.
Personnel Checks support a range of sporting organisations with their DBS Check requirements. From football to martial arts, coaches to scouts, we have the experience to help you manage your safeguarding needs.
For more information about how our background screening solutions can help, get in touch! You can give us a call on 01254 355688 or submit a contact form here.