Designated Child Protection Officer (DCPO): Kenny Cameron
Contact number: 07748 481074
1. Policy Statement
Player Led Coaching is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people involved in our football coaching activities. We believe that all children have the right to be safe, protected, respected and listened to, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
We recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to protect children and young people from abuse, harm and neglect and to respond appropriately to concerns in line with Scottish legislation and national guidance.
This policy reflects current best practice in child protection and safeguarding in Scotland, including the principles of GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) and the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021, updated).
2. Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to all coaches (paid and voluntary), assistants and sessional staff, directors and management, contractors and external providers, and anyone working on behalf of Player Led Coaching.
It applies to all football activities, sessions, events, trips and online engagement involving children and young people under the age of 18.
3. Key Safeguarding Principles
Player Led Coaching will place the wellbeing of children at the centre of all decisions, act in the best interests of the child at all times, promote safe, inclusive and positive football environments, listen to children and take their concerns seriously, and work in partnership with parents, carers and statutory agencies.
4. Roles & Responsibilities
Designated Child Protection Officer (DCPO)
Name: Kenny Cameron
Contact number: 07748 481074
The DCPO is responsible for acting as the main point of contact for all safeguarding concerns, receiving and recording concerns or disclosures, making referrals to statutory agencies where required, maintaining secure records, ensuring safeguarding training is up to date, and reviewing this policy.
All staff and volunteers are responsible for following this policy, attending safeguarding training, acting as positive role models, and reporting any concerns immediately.
5. Safer Recruitment & PVG
Player Led Coaching operates safer recruitment practices to ensure that individuals working with children are suitable and appropriately vetted.
This includes clear role descriptions, interviews, reference checks, PVG Scheme membership where roles meet the criteria for regulated work with children, and safeguarding induction before work begins.
No individual will be permitted to work unsupervised with children until all required checks are completed.
6. Training & Support
All staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding and child protection awareness training.
The DCPO will complete advanced safeguarding training and refresher training regularly.
Safeguarding responsibilities will be discussed during supervision and team meetings, and staff will be supported to raise concerns without fear of blame or reprisal.
7. Code of Conduct (Adults Working with Children)
All adults working with children must treat children with respect and dignity, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, avoid being alone with a child where possible, use physical contact only when necessary and appropriate, never use physical punishment, humiliation or intimidation, never engage in sexual or inappropriate behaviour, and not communicate with children through personal social media or messaging platforms.
8. Photography, Video & Social Media
Written parental consent will be obtained before any photographs or video recordings of children are taken or used.
Images will only be used for agreed purposes, children will not be identified by name without consent, and coaches must not share images via personal social media accounts.
9. Recognising Abuse
Abuse may be physical, emotional, sexual, neglectful, bullying-related or online.
Concerns may arise through a child’s disclosure, observed behaviour, physical signs of injury, changes in mood or performance, or information received from another person.
10. Responding to Concerns or Disclosures
If a child discloses abuse, staff must stay calm, listen carefully, take the child seriously, reassure them that they did the right thing, not promise confidentiality, not ask leading questions, record the information as soon as possible, and report the concern immediately to the DCPO.
11. Reporting Procedures
If a child is in immediate danger, staff must call 999.
All non-immediate safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DCPO, who will decide whether a referral is required to Children and Families Social Work or Police Scotland. All decisions and actions will be recorded.
12. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers
Any allegation that a member of staff or volunteer has harmed or may pose a risk to a child will be taken seriously, reported immediately to the DCPO, and referred to statutory agencies as required.
If the allegation concerns the DCPO, the concern must be reported directly to Social Work or Police Scotland.
13. Record Keeping & Confidentiality
All safeguarding records will be factual, dated and signed, stored securely, and shared only on a need-to-know basis in line with data protection requirements.
14. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, following any significant safeguarding incident, or when legislation or national guidance changes.
15. Declaration
Player Led Coaching is committed to upholding this Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy and ensuring that the welfare of children is always our highest priority.