The whole of football at every level will join forces on Saturday and Sunday 17th/18th September 2022 to promote Play Safe – football’s national campaign to focus attention of the vital importance of safeguarding in our national game.

It’s the second Play Safe weekend, the first of which launched the ongoing campaign in November 2021.

The campaign is officially supported by the NSPCC as well as the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship. It’s also being backed by every other level of the game across England.

This year’s focus is on the key role of parents/carers in safeguarding, with two main messages being conveyed:
• Are you aware of the vital safeguarding role you play in football?
• Please take the new, short and free safeguarding course specifically developed for parents/carers, which can be accessed here.

So whatever your role in football – whether an active participant or an administrator – please remember safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

If you’re a coach working with children:
• Is your DBS Check up to date?
• Are you up to date with The FA’s ‘Safeguarding Children’ course?
• Do you regularly check-in with your players and help them to feel safe to share their thoughts and speak up about any concerns?
• Are you following safe practice when communicating with under-18s for example via social media and in your coaching sessions?

If you’re a parent/carer:
• Do you know your child’s club welfare officer?
• If so, do you have their telephone number in your phone, as well as that of the NSPCC?
• Are you up to speed with your child’s club’s safeguarding policies and procedures?
• Have you taken The FA’s free online ‘Safeguarding Awareness for Parents/Carers’ course?
• Do you regularly check-in with your child to see what they are enjoying/not enjoying and why?