Safeguarding Governance in Football

15 Oct 2021

Football’s approach to safeguarding is underpinned by legislation, statutory guidance and current best practice.

Safeguarding Adults at Risk Key Legislation and Government Initiatives

The FA

The FA sets the safeguarding policy and regulatory framework across football in England. The regulatory framework enables the FA to take action against any affiliated person or organisation that breaches its safeguarding policy and regulations.

The Premier League

The Premier League is the governing body of the Premier League football competition with responsibility for the organisation and regulation of the League, through the application of its rules to Clubs and their officials. These rules include the safeguarding measures which Clubs are required to adopt.

The Premier League has a dual role in supporting Clubs with the implementation of their safeguarding arrangements, and in monitoring and evaluating the adequacy of each Club’s safeguarding arrangements through an independent audit process to ensure that compliance with our Safeguarding Rules and Standards are achieved and maintained. Additionally, the Premier League has its own safeguarding policy and procedures which underpin all its activities.

Clubs

Clubs are required to implement their own safeguarding policies and procedures that must be consistent with football authority regulations, legislation, statutory guidance and current best practice. Clubs’ compliance with the Premier League’s Rules and the Safeguarding Standards is subject to regular independent scrutiny.

Premier League Charitable Fund (“PLCF”)

The PLCF is the charity which has the principal objective of distribution and governance of funding in the form of grants to CCOs, enabling them to deliver agreed community focused initiatives which have a positive influence on a wide range of beneficiaries.

Club Community Organisations (“CCOs”)

CCOs are required to implement their own safeguarding policies and procedures that must be consistent with football authority regulations, legislation, statutory guidance and current best practice.

CCOs must have safeguarding arrangements in place which meet the mandatory recommendations set out in Section 9 of the PLCF and EFL Trust Capability Code of Practice Seasons 2022-25. The capability status of CCOs is assessed on a regular basis.