In support of the NSPCC Parents in Sport Week (PISW) Berks & Bucks County FA is asking every parent/carer with a child involved in the game to ensure they are clear about footballs safeguards.

Consistently children of all ages tell us they play football to have fun and be with friends. Thankfully, the vast majority of children’s experience in football is positive, but sadly, for some, this isn’t the case.

From parents, carers, coaches, club administrators, volunteers, referees and welfare officers; every adult in football has a responsibility to understand and uphold safeguards.

This week we are asking every parent/carer to ensure they play their part by making sure they:

• Know who coaches their child and that they are FA DBS checked and safeguarding trained.

• Have the name and contact details of their club’s welfare officer in their phone.

• Are clear about acceptable and unacceptable behaviours at their child’s club.

• Sign up and adhere to their club’s code of conduct.

• Help their child to understand their rights and know who they can talk to you if they are worried about an adult’s behaviour.

• Encourage their child to speak out about anything that worries them, no matter how big or small.

Sue Ravenlaw, FA Head of Safeguarding, said: “Hundreds of thousands of footballs volunteers have completed The FAs safeguarding training and a DBS check. Every club with youth teams has a dedicated Club Welfare Officer and a committee that has completed safeguarding training. We want to ensure that every parent/carer is clear about the safeguards at their child’s club and understand how they can also help to keep their child safe”.

To watch The FA's film ‘Let’s talk about keeping children safe in football’ and find out more about Safeguarding in Football please click here. 

Parents in Sport Week is an annual NSPCC campaign to raise awareness of the importance of parents' involvement in youth sport.

As part of the campaign, the NSPCC are asking sports parents to make the Sports Parents Promise. 

The Promise outlines what we think makes a great sports parent. We hope this will give parents an understanding of how their contribution to their child’s sport helps to make it a safer place. We're asking parents to sign up and make the Promise to their child by the end of Parents in Sport Week 2020. 

How you can help

Whether you're a great sports parent, or a club or coach, you can help us reach out to more parents. Here's a few ways in which you can support the campaign: 

• look for #ParentsinSportWeek2020 on social media and share NSPCC posts and resources

• if you're a parent, make the Sports Parents Promise, share your commitment on social media and encourage more parents to do the same

• talk to your child's club about their safeguarding policy and procedures and share your knowledge with other parents at the club

• share your positive sports parenting stories on social media and tag @TheCPSU

• share NSPCC information for parents in your club newsletter, and on your blog or website

• use Parents in Sport Week as an opportunity to highlight your club's safeguarding policies to parents in an email or newsletter

To find out more about PISW, get access to additional safeguarding resources and information, or to make your Sports Parent Promise please visit the NSPCC website.