The EFL is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
With so many people involved in and influenced by professional football, it is essential that the EFL and its member clubs acknowledge the role that they play in creating a safer environment for everybody involved in the game, especially for the more vulnerable, including children and young people. The EFL is working closely with other football governing bodies to help contribute to this safer environment.
The Safeguarding Manager for the EFL sits on the Affiliated Football Safeguarding Forum which has representation from The Football Association (FA); The Premier League; The EFL and its partners the EFL Trust; League Football Education (LFE); and the Wider Forum which includes, The Professional Footballers Association (PFA); The Football Foundation (FF); The League Managers Association (LMA); and representation from the NSPCC – Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
The Football Safeguarding Forum seeks to provide a strategic approach across football and share best practice.
The EFL has developed, and will continually review, our safeguarding children and adults at risk policy as well as our safeguarding strategy and standards for Member Clubs.
These documents also endorse and promote the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures developed across Affiliated Football in addition to those produced by The Football Association. This ensures that we have a proactive and integrated approach to safeguarding everybody within football. It recognises that professional clubs have a duty of care to all children, young people and adults at risk who participate in activities delivered by them and it outlines the arrangements clubs should have in place to meet that duty.
- Safeguarding Standards Guide_2022/23.pdf
- Safeguarding Children Policy can be found here
- Safeguarding Adults at Risk Aud policy can be found here
- Safeguarding Strategy 2022-2025
Our safeguarding team can be contacted by emailing EFL Safeguarding@efl.com or by calling 01772 325490 for advice, to raise a concern or to help you get in touch with your Club’s Safeguarding Team.
Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague’s conduct towards a child or young person can whistleblowing by calling 0800 169 1863 and asking for the FA’s safeguarding team, or via email to 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 anytime, day or night. You can contact them by phone on 0808 800 5000, by email or through their 1-2-1 counsellor or chat service. Visit their website for further advice or support www.childline.org.uk
For concerns relating to an Adult at Risk contact the Ann Craft Trust safeguarding adults advice helpline by calling 0115 951 5400. Visit their website for further advice or support www.anncrafttrust.org
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
For further information contact:
Alex Richards EFL: Safeguarding Manager
Tel: 01772 325940; Email: arichards@efl.com