SAFEGUARDING POLICY

WANDSWORTH LIONS FOOTBALL CLUB

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Effective: November 2026 | Review date: November 2027

Club motto: Brave With The Ball

This safeguarding policy has been prepared for Wandsworth Lions Football Club (WLFC) using information published on the official club website⁠, together with safeguarding principles and guidance from The Football Association (FA).

It is designed to be published on the club website and to apply to all players, parents, guardians, coaches, managers, volunteers, and visitors involved in club activities.

The policy includes specific provisions for the Development Cubs, Development Centre, Girls Only Football, Centre of Excellence, Scholarship Programme, holiday camps, training sessions, matches, trials and tournaments.

1. Safeguarding Statement

Wandsworth Lions Football Club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, positive and supportive environment in which children and young people can enjoy football, develop their abilities and reach their full potential.

The welfare and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. All children have the right to participate in football free from abuse, bullying, discrimination, harassment, neglect and exploitation.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Every coach, manager, volunteer, parent and person associated with the club has a duty to promote children’s welfare and report concerns appropriately.

Our safeguarding approach is guided by The FA’s safeguarding framework, relevant UK legislation and recognised child protection procedures. www.thefa.com +1

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to all individuals participating in, supervising, attending or representing Wandsworth Lions FC activities.

It covers:

All children and young people under the age of 18.
Coaches, team managers, assistant coaches and volunteers.
Parents, guardians, carers and spectators.
Club officials and administrative personnel.
Professional academy scouts and other authorised visitors.
Photographers, media representatives and external service providers.

The policy applies to activities organised or authorised by WLFC, including training, competitive fixtures, friendly matches, holiday camps, trials, tournaments, club events and club-managed online communications.

Independent private coaching sessions arranged directly between parents and coaches are not club-organised activities, as explained on the club’s website. Nevertheless, any safeguarding concerns involving a person associated with the club may be referred to the relevant safeguarding authorities. PRIVATE SESSIONS

3. Our Safeguarding Commitments

Wandsworth Lions FC is committed to:

Putting the safety, welfare and interests of children before sporting results or achievements.
Treating every child fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
Providing appropriately qualified, trained and vetted coaches and volunteers.
Maintaining appropriate supervision and safe coaching environments.
Encouraging children to express concerns and ensuring their voices are heard.
Preventing bullying, intimidation, harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
Maintaining professional boundaries between adults and children.
Responding promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Protecting children’s personal information, privacy and dignity.
Working with parents, The FA, London FA and statutory safeguarding authorities when necessary.

No player’s ability, behaviour, selection status or commitment to football will diminish their right to safeguarding protection.

4. Designated Safeguarding Officer

The club must appoint a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), also known as the Club Welfare Officer, who is responsible for coordinating safeguarding arrangements and providing a point of contact for concerns.

The officer’s responsibilities include:

Receiving, recording and referring safeguarding concerns.
Supporting children and parents who raise welfare issues.
Ensuring safeguarding procedures are understood by staff.
Maintaining appropriate confidentiality and secure records.
Liaising with London FA, The FA and statutory agencies.
Promoting safeguarding education and awareness.
Monitoring compliance with safeguarding requirements.

Club contact details

Wandsworth Lions Football Club

Email: wandsworthlionsfc@outlook.com

Telephone: 07946 731463

Website: www.wandsworthlionsfc.co.uk⁠

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Dennis Twumasi

Safeguarding Officer direct contact: 07946731463

The club must publish the appointed officer’s details and make them readily available to players and parents. Where the concern involves the safeguarding officer, it should be reported directly to London FA, The FA or the appropriate statutory authority.

5. Recruitment, DBS Checks and Training

Wandsworth Lions FC is committed to safer recruitment practices for coaches, managers, staff and volunteers.

Before an individual undertakes a role involving children, the club will ensure that the applicable safeguarding requirements are satisfied.

These include:

Appropriate identity and suitability checks.
Enhanced DBS checks, including children’s barred list checks where the role is legally eligible and requires them.
Relevant safeguarding training and qualifications.
Verification of coaching qualifications where applicable.
References and recruitment checks appropriate to the role.
Clear understanding of the club’s safeguarding and behaviour policies.

All staff must comply with The FA’s safeguarding requirements and complete refresher training when required.

No person may undertake duties for which mandatory safeguarding checks or training remain outstanding.

6. Supervision, Attendance and Collection of Children

The club recognises that appropriate supervision is essential to maintaining a safe football environment.

6.1 Training and match supervision

Children must be supervised by authorised coaches or managers during club activities.
Coaches must maintain appropriate adult-to-child supervision arrangements based on age, needs, activity and risk assessment.
Children must not be left unattended in unsafe or isolated areas.
Parents must provide accurate emergency contact information.
Coaches must monitor attendance and identify unexplained absences where appropriate.
Parents must notify the club of relevant medical, welfare or additional support requirements.

6.2 Leaving training premises

The following club collection arrangements apply:

Children aged 9 and under (Year 4 and below)

Children must not leave the training premises unaccompanied. They must be collected by a parent, guardian or authorised person aged 15 or above, subject to parental consent and club verification.

Children aged 10–14

A sibling aged 10–14 may accompany a younger child from the training area to a parent or authorised adult waiting immediately outside the premises, where the arrangement has been approved in advance.

Children aged 10–14 must not independently take younger children home under this arrangement.

Children aged 15–17

Independent travel or collection arrangements must be agreed with parents or guardians and assessed with consideration for the child’s maturity and welfare.

6.3 Late collection

Where a parent or authorised adult is late collecting a child:

The child must remain in a safe, supervised area.
The coach must attempt to contact the parent or emergency contact.
Staff must avoid being isolated alone with a child wherever reasonably possible.
Persistent late collection may require a formal review of collection arrangements.

Children must never be abandoned or placed at risk because of collection delays.

7. Stranger Danger and Unauthorised Visitors

The club takes the safety of children around training facilities, match venues and public spaces seriously.

Children must be encouraged not to engage with unknown adults who approach them without a legitimate reason.

All authorised coaches and managers should be identifiable through club clothing, introductions or other appropriate identification.

Professional academy scouts

Professional academy scouts attending WLFC activities must:

Identify themselves to the relevant team manager or club official.
Provide verifiable identification and details of the professional club they represent.
Follow the club’s academy scouting and safeguarding procedures.
Avoid approaching children directly without appropriate club and parental involvement.
Refrain from requesting children’s personal contact details or communicating privately with minors.

An identification badge alone does not establish that someone is an authorised academy scout. The club reserves the right to verify credentials and restrict access where necessary.

Any suspicious approach must be reported immediately to a coach, team manager or safeguarding officer.

8. Code of Conduct for Coaches and Volunteers

All coaches, managers and volunteers are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour.

They must:

Treat children with dignity, respect and fairness.
Create a positive and encouraging learning environment.
Use appropriate language and constructive feedback.
Avoid humiliation, intimidation, threats or degrading punishment.
Never engage in inappropriate relationships or sexual behaviour with players under 18.
Avoid unnecessary physical contact and explain any appropriate coaching contact.
Respect children’s privacy in changing areas and toilets.
Never use their position of authority to exploit, manipulate or pressure a child.
Report suspected abuse, bullying or inappropriate behaviour.
Avoid private communication with children outside authorised safeguarding arrangements.

Coaches must not transport children alone in private vehicles unless the arrangement has been specifically authorised, appropriately risk-assessed and complies with club procedures.

9. Anti-Bullying, Discrimination and Respect

Wandsworth Lions FC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, racism, discriminatory abuse, harassment and threatening behaviour.

This includes:

Physical bullying or violence.
Verbal abuse, insults or threats.
Racist or discriminatory language.
Cyberbullying and online harassment.
Sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour.
Deliberate exclusion, intimidation or humiliation.
Abuse directed at players, coaches, referees or spectators.

All reports will be taken seriously and assessed according to their nature and severity.

Appropriate responses may include education, parental meetings, behaviour agreements, disciplinary measures, suspension or referral to safeguarding authorities.

Serious safeguarding incidents will not be treated solely as internal disciplinary matters.

The club’s commitment to respect applies equally to players, parents, coaches, officials and spectators.

10. Photography, Video and Social Media

The club recognises that photographs and videos can celebrate players’ achievements, promote football programmes and support player development.

However, children’s privacy and safety must always take priority.

The club will:

Obtain and record appropriate parental or guardian permissions for promotional photography and filming.
Respect restrictions on photographing or publishing identifiable children.
Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information about minors.
Ensure photographs and videos are appropriate and respectful.
Restrict access to sensitive or confidential player information.
Respond promptly to concerns regarding published content.
Follow applicable data protection requirements.

Parents and spectators must respect photography restrictions, particularly where a child is subject to safeguarding arrangements.

Coaches must not use personal social media accounts to establish inappropriate private relationships with players.

11. Digital Communication and Spond

Wandsworth Lions FC uses digital communication platforms, including Spond, to organise club activities, share information and manage attendance.

To protect children:

Official communication concerning younger players should ordinarily be directed through parents or guardians.
Coaches should use authorised club communication channels.
Private one-to-one messaging between adults and children should be avoided except where an appropriate, documented safeguarding arrangement permits necessary communication.
Parents should ensure that emergency contact information remains accurate.
Club group communications must remain professional and football-related.
Personal information must not be shared outside authorised purposes.

Any inappropriate digital communication must be reported to the safeguarding officer.

12. Medical Information, Injuries and Emergencies

The club aims to ensure that football activities are conducted with appropriate consideration for the health and wellbeing of every participant.

Parents and guardians must inform the club of relevant medical conditions, allergies, injuries, disabilities or additional support needs.

The club will:

Maintain accessible emergency contact arrangements.
Ensure appropriate first-aid provision for activities.
Respond promptly to injuries or medical emergencies.
Contact parents or guardians where necessary.
Call emergency services where immediate medical assistance is required.
Record significant accidents and incidents.
Follow relevant concussion and return-to-play guidance.

Where a child sustains a suspected concussion, they must be removed from play and must not return until the applicable medical assessment and return-to-play requirements have been satisfied.

13. Safeguarding at Matches, Tournaments and Holiday Camps

The safeguarding standards in this policy apply to all club-organised activities, whether at home or away venues.

Before activities, the club will consider:

Appropriate supervision and staffing.
Venue and facility safety.
Attendance and collection arrangements.
Medical and emergency provisions.
Changing and toilet facilities.
Transport arrangements.
Access by spectators and unauthorised visitors.
Additional requirements for younger children or those with specific support needs.

Parents must be informed of relevant activity arrangements.

For trips involving overnight accommodation, the club must adopt additional safeguarding measures, including written parental consent, suitable rooming arrangements, supervision and emergency procedures.

14. Parents’ and Guardians’ Responsibilities

Parents and guardians play an important role in maintaining a safe and positive football environment.

Parents are expected to:

Treat all children, coaches, officials and other parents respectfully.
Support the club’s safeguarding and behaviour policies.
Ensure their child arrives and is collected safely.
Provide accurate medical and emergency contact details.
Notify the club of concerns affecting their child’s welfare.
Avoid abusive or aggressive behaviour at training and matches.
Respect coaches’ responsibilities and refrain from inappropriate sideline coaching.
Report any suspected safeguarding issue promptly.

Parents must not confront or intimidate children in relation to incidents during matches or training.

Safeguarding concerns must be reported through the appropriate channels rather than addressed through confrontation.

15. Recognising and Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may involve physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, grooming, bullying or inappropriate behaviour by an adult or another child.

Everyone associated with Wandsworth Lions FC must remain alert to possible signs of abuse or harm.

A safeguarding concern does not require proof before it can be reported.

15.1 Reporting procedure

If a child discloses abuse or someone suspects that a child is at risk:

Ensure immediate safety. If the child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Listen carefully. Remain calm, take the concern seriously and avoid leading questions.
Do not promise secrecy. Explain that information may need to be shared with people responsible for protecting children.
Record the concern. Document the facts, including dates, times, individuals involved and the child’s own words where possible.
Report without delay. Notify the club’s Designated Safeguarding Officer or contact the appropriate safeguarding authority directly.
Do not investigate independently. Do not confront the alleged perpetrator or attempt to determine whether an allegation is true.
Maintain confidentiality. Share information only with those who need it to protect the child.

Safeguarding referrals must not be delayed because a club official is unavailable.

15.2 Allegations against coaches or staff

Any allegation involving a coach, manager, volunteer or club official must be referred promptly to the appropriate safeguarding authorities.

Where the allegation meets the relevant threshold, the club must contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), normally within one working day, and follow the advice received. Wandsworth Borough Council

The club may take appropriate precautionary steps to protect children while concerns are assessed. Such measures do not automatically imply guilt.

16. Safeguarding Contact Information

The following organisations can provide advice, receive reports or respond to safeguarding concerns.



Organisation

Contact

Emergency services

999

Wandsworth MASH – Children’s Social Care

020 8871 6622

Wandsworth out-of-hours safeguarding

020 8871 6000

Wandsworth MASH email

mash@wandsworth.gov.uk

The FA Safeguarding Team

safeguarding@thefa.com

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline

0808 800 5000

Childline – for children and young people

0800 1111

Wandsworth safeguarding contact information is published by Wandsworth Council, and national reporting routes are provided by The FA and GOV.UK. Wandsworth Borough Council +2

For formal referrals, visit Wandsworth Council’s safeguarding referral page⁠.

17. Confidentiality and Data Protection

The club will handle safeguarding information sensitively and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

Safeguarding records must be:

Accurate, factual and appropriately dated.
Stored securely with restricted access.
Shared only where necessary and lawful.
Retained in accordance with relevant safeguarding and data retention requirements.
Protected against unauthorised disclosure, loss or misuse.

Confidentiality must never prevent the appropriate sharing of information necessary to protect a child from harm.

18. Whistleblowing

Wandsworth Lions FC encourages everyone associated with the club to raise genuine concerns about unsafe practices, misconduct or failures to follow safeguarding procedures.

Anyone who believes that a concern has been ignored, mishandled or deliberately concealed may report it directly to The FA, London FA, NSPCC, police or children’s social care.

No person should suffer retaliation for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

19. Breaches of the Safeguarding Policy

Failure to comply with this policy may result in appropriate action, including:

Formal warnings or mandatory safeguarding education.
Restrictions on participation or responsibilities.
Temporary suspension from club activities.
Termination of a coaching, management or volunteer role.
Removal from club membership where appropriate.
Referral to The FA, police, children’s social care or other relevant authorities.

The nature of any action will depend on the circumstances, the seriousness of the concern and the need to protect children.

The club will cooperate with safeguarding investigations and relevant statutory agencies.

20. Policy Review and Responsibilities

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where required by changes to legislation, FA safeguarding regulations, operational arrangements or identified safeguarding risks.

The club’s management and Designated Safeguarding Officer will be responsible for ensuring that the policy remains appropriate and is communicated to all relevant individuals.

All coaches, managers and volunteers must familiarise themselves with this policy before undertaking their responsibilities.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to read and understand the policy before enrolling their children in club activities.

21. Club Declaration

Wandsworth Lions Football Club believes that football should provide every child with an opportunity to learn, develop, build confidence, form friendships and enjoy the game in a safe and supportive environment.

We recognise that success in youth football is not measured solely by results, but also by the development, wellbeing and positive experiences of every child.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and the welfare of our players will always come first.

Wandsworth Lions Football Club

Brave With The Ball

Wandle Recreation Centre, Mapleton Road, London, SW18 4DN

Email: wandsworthlionsfc@outlook.com

Website: www.wandsworthlionsfc.co.uk

Policy version: 1.0 | November 2026