Introduction to Safeguarding Children in Football

An introduction to child protection training is suitable for those coming directly into contact with children in a sporting setting of any standard. This course is the equivalent of a level 1 child safeguarding qualification.

Safeguarding children in sport is no different from safeguarding them in any other setting. However a sporting environment has its own nuances and we will explore this in more detail.

Did you know that neglect is sadly a factor in 60 percent of all child deaths, that are investigated by a serious case review, but only 1 in 3 people, who are concerned a child is being neglected, go on to report it? We will explore what neglect looks like and how we can raise our concerns that a child is being neglected.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that one in five adults aged 18 to 74 years experienced at least one form of child abuse, whether emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or witnessing domestic violence or abuse, before the age of 16 years. The equates to 8.5 million people.

We will review some case studies and look at the independent football commissions report into abuse in football.

The legislation concerning abuse in a position of trust will change in the near future in relation to sports coaches, but what legislation is there currently? What can we do if we believe someone has abused their position of trust, this is something we will explore further.

This course has been created and delivered by Milly Wildish, a child protection specialist who has worked in criminal and education settings. Milly is a national safeguarding panel member for sport resolutions, investigating hundreds of cases of abuse in sport. Milly is currently engaged in a large-scale independent investigation, into current and historical allegations of child abuse.

Your understanding of the course is tested though multiple-choice questions and you will receive a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) accredited certificate, on the successful completion of the course.