S4 Ep4: Let's talk about safeguarding

[TRIGGER WARNING: This episode focuses on safeguarding and will reference lived experience of abuse in football.]

Transcript on England Football Community

Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding, but what does good safeguarding look like and how do we play our part? In this episode, we’re joined by Ellie and Mark - two grassroots coaches and representatives of the FA Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group - to discuss safeguarding and why it’s so important.

Ellie and Mark tell us how and why the advisory group was formed and their role within it. They give us an overview of what exactly safeguarding is and the roles that everyone involved in the game have in ensuring players are safe.

We get actionable insights into how to create a good, safe culture within teams and clubs. Ellie and Mark offer advice on what to do if you witness a safeguarding concern and the signs to look out for before an incident occurs.

Ellie and Mark share with us their lived experiences of what bad safeguarding can lead to. They speak about the positive progress that has been made since then and the progress that still needs to be made.

Covered in this episode:

• What is safeguarding in football?

• Who is required to get involved in upholding good safeguarding practices?

• What should you do if you witness a safeguarding concern?

• What does good communication look like from a safeguarding standpoint?

• What do good and bad cultures look like in clubs and teams?

• Real examples of what bad safeguarding can lead to.

• What has improved over the years in safeguarding in football, and how can things be improved?

• How to learn more about safeguarding.




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INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

• E: safeguarding@TheFA.com Information on safeguarding in football

• NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk/

0808 800 5000 Wide-ranging services aimed at tackling every form of child abuse. 

NSPCC Football Helpline www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/news-opinion/new-helpline-footballsexual-abuse/  

T: 0800 023 2642 A specific helpline set up by the NSPCC for footballers who’ve experienced sexual abuse.

• NAPAC https://napac.org.uk/

0808 801 0331 Supports adult survivors and training for those who support them.

• Rape Crisis www.rapecrisis.org.uk/

0808 500 2222 This is a 24/7 free support line and web chat service for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales affected by any form of sexual violence.

• Safeline www.safeline.org.uk/

0808 800 5005 Operates a national male survivor helpline and online chat support service for men and boys across England and Wales affected by sexual violence. 

This service is also available for family and friends supporting a male survivor.

• Survivors Manchester www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk/

0808 500 2222 From its website to email support and telephone; the ‘Drop In’ to the Peer-support groups; through to trauma-informed therapy and the Independent Sexual Violence Service (ISVA); face-to-face and via online, Survivors Manchester’s survivor led services are open to any male survivor of sexual abuse across Greater Manchester.

• SurvivorsUK www.survivorsuk.org

020 3598 3898 Supports men and boys, trans and non-binary survivors – and anyone who feels this service is appropriate for them. Counselling, groupwork, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services based in London and national online helpline.




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GET IN TOUCH

Email - ⁠⁠⁠Coachcast@thefa.com⁠⁠⁠

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum/3174/coaching-problems-and-questions) and post them there. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠Coachcast@thefa.com⁠⁠⁠.




Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠.