Premier League Safeguarding

The Premier League and Premier League Charitable Fund place great importance on safeguarding and we believe that everyone has the right to enjoy football in a safe and inclusive environment. We are committed to working in partnership with The FA, Clubs, Club Community Organisations, statutory authorities and other partners to provide safe and welcoming environments, and to create a culture where safeguarding responsibilities and procedures for raising concerns are widely understood and embedded in our values.

Football’s safeguarding framework

• The FA sets the safeguarding policy and regulatory framework across the game.
• The Premier League and Premier League Charitable Fund have safeguarding policies and procedures in place that govern their own activities, as well as rules and requirements that govern Club and Club Community Organisation safeguarding arrangements.
• Clubs and Club Community Organisations implement their own safeguarding policies and procedures that must be consistent with Premier League Rules, Premier League Charitable Fund Capability Status requirements, FA rules and regulations, and Affiliated Football’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. They also have staff with specific operational responsibility for safeguarding that you can talk to for advice, if you have any concerns about your safety and welfare or if you are concerned about someone else.

Safeguarding publications

Our Safeguarding Strategy can be downloaded here.

Our Safeguarding and Youth Development Rules can be downloaded here.

Our Safeguarding Policy can be downloaded here.

Our Young Person’s Guide to understanding our Safeguarding Policy can be downloaded here.

Our Academy Charter for Academy players and parents can be downloaded here.

Information about Affiliated Football’s safeguarding framework can be downloaded here.

Getting advice and reporting concerns

Our Safeguarding Team can be contacted by emailing safeguarding@premierleague.com or by calling 0207 864 9000 for advice, to raise a concern or to help you get in touch with your Club’s Safeguarding Team.

The Football Association is English football's governing body. Visit their website to learn more about safeguarding in football at www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding. Safeguarding concerns can be reported to The FA's Safeguarding Team by emailing safeguarding@thefa.com.

Visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk for advice on internet safety and safe surfing. You can contact them confidentially if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, if you are worried about somebody else or to report online abuse.

Childline is a free and confidential service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday. They are available any time, day or night. You can contact them by phone, by email or through their 1-2-1 counsellor chat service. Visit their website for further advice or support www.childline.org.uk.

Adults can contact the NSPCC helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk to get advice or share their concerns about a child, anonymously if they wish. Trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In an emergency and/or if someone is in immediate danger, call the Police on 999 (101 for non-emergencies).

 Contact the Ann Craft Trust safeguarding adults advice helpline by calling 0115 951 5400.

 The PFA Safety Net is an online support service for Academy players that offers advice and information on matters like mental health, relationships and lifestyle choices. Parents/carers and club staff can also access this service for advice and information. The Safety Net forms part of the PFA Youth Advisory Service that offers independent advice relating to; Football Authority rules, regulations and Academy registration and contractual offers. The PFA Youth Advisory Service can be accessed by calling 0161 235 0575 or by emailing youthadvisory@thepfa.co.uk.

 The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) is a partnership between the NSPCC, Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland and Sport Wales. The CPSU provide expert safeguarding and child protection advice to sports organisations and supports them with putting the right safeguards in place. Their website hosts a helpful resource library: https://thecpsu.org.uk