Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

​

1. Policy Statement

Newport & District Schools Football Association (NDSFA) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people involved in its activities. We recognise our responsibility to create a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where children can enjoy football free from abuse, harm, bullying, or inappropriate behaviour.

This policy applies to all players, coaches, volunteers, officials, parents, and anyone acting on behalf of NDSFA.

The welfare of the child is paramount.

​

2. Governance Structure

Newport & District Schools FA operates as part of the Welsh Schools Football Association (WSFA) and aligns its safeguarding arrangements with WSFA guidance and national safeguarding standards.

Where appropriate, safeguarding matters may be escalated through WSFA or to relevant statutory agencies.

 

3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

• All NDSFA matches, training sessions, events, trips, and activities

• Behaviour or conduct occurring outside football activities where it directly impacts:

  • Player welfare

  • Coach or official welfare

  • The safe and effective operation of NDSFA

 

4. Key Safeguarding Principles

NDSFA is committed to ensuring that:

• All children are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness

• The safety and welfare of children takes precedence over footballing success

• Safeguarding concerns are taken seriously, recorded appropriately, and handled in line with established procedures

• Allegations are managed proportionately, fairly, and without pre-judgement

​

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Safeguarding Officer
NDSFA has a designated Safeguarding Officer responsible for:

• Receiving and managing safeguarding concerns

• Maintaining safeguarding records and incident logs

• Liaising with WSFA and other relevant bodies where required

• Ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed

Coaches and Officials
All coaches and officials are expected to:

• Act as positive role models

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries

• Challenge inappropriate behaviour

• Report safeguarding concerns promptly

Parents and Carers
Parents and carers are expected to:

• Support safeguarding principles

• Raise concerns through appropriate formal channels

• Avoid informal, confrontational, or social media-based approaches

 

6. What Is a Safeguarding Concern?

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

• Bullying or harassment

• Threats or intimidation

• Inappropriate language or behaviour

• Discriminatory behaviour

• Neglect or poor supervision

• Inappropriate use of social media impacting child welfare

Not all concerns meet the threshold for external referral. However, all concerns will be recorded and assessed.

 

7. Conduct vs Safeguarding

NDSFA recognises the distinction between:

• Conduct / disciplinary matters (e.g. breaches of codes of conduct, inappropriate language or behaviour), and

• Safeguarding matters (where a child may be at risk of harm).

Concerns will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate pathway.

 

8. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Safeguarding concerns should be reported as soon as possible.

Reports should include:

• The nature of the concern

• Date(s) and location(s)

• Individuals involved

• Any action already taken

Concerns should be reported to the NDSFA Safeguarding Officer using the contact details provided on the NDSFA website.

Concerns must not be raised via:

• Social media

• Informal messaging

• Third-party speculation

 

9. Handling and Recording Concerns

All safeguarding concerns will:

• Be treated seriously and confidentially

• Be recorded in an incident log

• Be assessed to determine whether they meet safeguarding thresholds

• Be managed in line with NDSFA and WSFA procedures

Where appropriate, concerns may be escalated to:

• Welsh Schools Football Association (WSFA)

• Relevant Local Authority safeguarding teams

• Statutory agencies

 

10. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Information will only be shared:

• On a need-to-know basis

• Where necessary to protect a child

• In line with data protection and safeguarding requirements

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where a child is believed to be at risk of harm.

 

11. Codes of Conduct

All players, parents, coaches, and officials are expected to comply with the NDSFA Player & Parent Code of Conduct and Coach Code of Conduct.

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, suspension, or removal from NDSFA activities.

​

12. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated in line with WSFA guidance and best practice.

 

13. Key Message

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Concerns will be listened to, recorded, and managed fairly — but must be raised through the correct channels.