ENGAGING WITH UNDER-18S ONLINE

During the Covid-19 pandemic and what is likely to be on going ways of working, The FA has extended its safeguarding guidance for anyone working in football who engages online with under-18s.

The extended guidance is contained in two new safeguarding guidance notes – one for club coaches/managers and the other for parents/carers. A link to each document is given below:


6.4 Footballs Staying Home Online Procedures for Coaches/Managers

The coaches/managers’ guidance outlines best practice on all aspects of communicating online with under-18 players, i.e. the appropriate setting, session content and general behaviour etc.

In addition to this new Guidance (above) added to Section 6 of The FA's guidance pages 'Safeguarding in the Digital World', other guidance documents of note include 6.1 Running Websites and Social Media platforms and 6.2 Digital Communications with Children


8.5 Footballs Staying Home Online Tips for Parents/Carers

The parents/carers’ guidance focuses more on general tips on children’s online activities now and in the future – as well as expectations they should have of the club to which their child(ren) belong.

We are encouraging every league and club in the county to review the new guidance and distribute the relevant link to your coaches and parents as soon as possible, so you can keep abreast of best practice when engaging with children (i.e. in football, under 18-year-olds).

Other Guidance Notes

For all other available guidance notes in there series' as detailed above, please visit The FA.com by following the below links:

Section 6. Safeguarding in the Digitial World

Section 8. Parents and Carers