This weekend (28-29 September) marks the FA’s Play Safe Weekend, and which focuses on the critical importance of safeguarding in football. Clubs across England, including Cranleigh FC, will take part, with coaches wearing badges, some players donning armbands, and pitch-side branding amplifying the message that football must be a safe, inclusive space for all.
>>Click here: Know your role in safeguarding
Cranleigh FC will be promoting Play Safe on its social media channels, including on Facebook and Instagram.
The Play Safe campaign seeks to ensure that everyone involved in the game—parents, carers, coaches, players, referees, committee members, and spectators—plays an active role in safeguarding. This year’s event will provide a visual reminder of the collective responsibility to protect young players and create a positive sporting environment.
Watch: Play Safe: Know your role
Parents and carers are encouraged to complete a free online “Safeguarding Awareness” course, which offers vital information on how to ensure their children are safe and know where to report any concerns. They are also reminded to check their club’s safeguarding protocols, such as the DBS checks for coaches and staff.
For coaches and managers, the weekend serves as a reminder of their key responsibility to set positive examples for young players. The campaign highlights the importance of being DBS-checked, keeping communication with players’ parents professional and football-related, and fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere on and off the pitch.
Match officials and referees, particularly those under 18, are advised to familiarise themselves with safeguarding procedures and ensure they know the club’s point of contact for any concerns. Referees are also reminded to prepare for challenging games and maintain safe travel arrangements with underage officials.
Spectators are not left out, with the FA urging fans to keep match-day atmospheres positive, avoiding abusive or negative behaviour. By maintaining a supportive tone, spectators contribute to a safe, enjoyable football experience for everyone involved.
Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs) and Club Welfare Officers (CWOs) remain key figures, responsible for ensuring safeguarding remains a priority at their clubs. By keeping safeguarding at the top of the agenda, these officers help create a safer environment for all players. For more information about Cranleigh’s Safeguarding policies, click here.
>>Visit the FA website here for more information on Play Safe
>>Click here for Cranleigh FC’s safeguarding policies
>>Click here for the FA’s safeguarding policies and procedures
What you need to know
Parent and carer
Parents and carers remain responsible for checking their child is taken care of in football.
Things to do as a parent/carer:
- Complete the free, 30-minute online ‘Safeguarding Awareness for Parents/Carers’ course.
- Know who your child’s coach/manager is and how to contact them.
- Know how to contact your club’s welfare officer and where to report a concern.
- Ask about FA DBS Checks and safeguarding qualifications of the staff at your club.
- Know what unacceptable behaviour looks like and the club’s Codes of Conduct.
- Keep on checking in with your child(ren) – make sure they know how to report a concern.
Committee members
Committee members have an explicit responsibility to ensure safeguards are consistently in place across the clubs’ activities. Working together you can really make a difference to keep everyone safe.
Things to do as a committee member:
- Make sure your club is following a safer recruiting process – you can find that information here
- Support coaches, check they’re working with the right ratios and role modelling the clubs code of conduct, make sure you’re happy with the way they communicate and engage with players.
- Make sure all your club’s digital/social media communications follow safe practice; they should be for specific football purposes.
Coaches and managers
As a coach or manager, you’re in a position of trust and responsibility to many.
Things to do as a coach or manager:
- Check and challenge your own behaviour, as well as other peoples. Shouting at children is not okay.
- Make sure you’re working with another DBS-checked coach.
- Only communicate online with a child’s parent or carer. Keep it football related.
- Be fair, encouraging, inclusive. Try to understand every child’s needs, speak with their parent/carer about what would work best for their child.
Players (under-18)
On or off the pitch, players should expect to feel safe, always.
Things to do as a player:
- If something feels wrong or unsafe, know how and where to report a concern.
- Keep talking to your parent/carer. Tell them if you’re worried about anything.
- Expect to play in a safe environment, always.
- Be positive and always support other players.
Referees and match officials
Being at the heart of the game, its important referees/match officials look after themselves and others.
- Know who you’re officiating/training with, how you’re getting to the venue and who the club/event organiser point of contact is. For matches, check important details, like changing facilities and post-match support
- Be prepared for a challenging game. Know how and where to report a problem.Things to do as an adult referee/match official:
- Know who you’re officiating/training with and who the main point of contact is.
- Be responsible before offering under-18 officials a lift; get parent/carer consent, consider will there be a third person in the vehicle, ensure they sit in the rear of the vehicle.
- Check important details before a match, like changing facilities or post-match support.
- Be prepared for a challenging game and know how to manage conflict. Know how and where to report a concern.
DSO/CWO
As a designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) or Club Welfare Officer (CWO), you’re the first port of call.
Things to do as a DSO/CWO:
- Know who your members are and how to reach them. Consider how you can ensure everyone knows who you are and how to contact you.
- Share news and information about Play Safe to everyone at your club.
- Keep safeguarding as a regular item at committee meetings.
- Think about what could make a positive difference at your club/league and who could help you bring about that change.
Spectators
- Never shout abusive or negative things during a match. Keep it positive. Clap for everyone.
- If there’s something that feels off or unsafe, report it to the club welfare officer, or member of staff.
