Safeguarding children in football is the responsibility of every adult involved in the game — not just the Welfare Officer. The FA requires all youth football clubs to follow a Safer Recruitment process when appointing any new coach, volunteer, or official who will have contact with players under 18. This article explains the key steps and what PSP 2005 expects from everyone in our coaching team.
DBS Checks: The Baseline Requirement
Every coach, assistant, and volunteer at PSP 2005 must hold a valid Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before working unsupervised with players. The FA requires this to be renewed every three years. New coaches may begin supervised sessions while their DBS is being processed, but must never be left alone with players until clearance is confirmed.
FA Safeguarding Children Course
Alongside the DBS check, all adults in regulated activity must complete the FA's Safeguarding Children course (available online via the FA Learning platform). This four-hour course covers recognising signs of abuse, responding to disclosures, and understanding the club's reporting responsibilities.
- Complete online at learning.thefa.com — free of charge
- Certificate valid for three years
- Must be renewed before expiry — club will send reminders
- Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAF) also strongly recommended
References and Induction
PSP 2005 requires two character references for all new coaching appointments, at least one of which must come from a previous football club or sporting organisation. New coaches also attend a one-day club induction that covers our coaching philosophy, code of conduct, and safeguarding reporting procedures.
Safeguarding is not a box-ticking exercise. It is the foundation of everything we do. Every child who comes through our gates deserves to feel safe. — Club Welfare Officer, PSP 2005