Safeguarding Policy

DNA Women's Football (DNA) is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for all participants. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of players aged 16–17 and vulnerable adults who take part in our coaching, whether in one-to-one sessions, groups or at clubs. Every player should feel safe, welcome and able to enjoy football without fear of being judged.

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to:

• Protect children and vulnerable adults who take part in DNA sessions.
• Provide the coach, volunteers and partner staff with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
• Establish clear guidelines for identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a culture of vigilance and continuous improvement in safeguarding practices.

This policy applies to Dave as coach and organiser, anyone who helps at a DNA session — including volunteers, assistants and partner coaches — and to players, club contacts, parents, carers and visitors involved in DNA activities. It covers private sessions, the Development Camp, club sessions and coach workshops. Where a club's own safeguarding policy also applies, we work to both. Players aged 16–17 are children in safeguarding law and retain the protections set out below.

• Child: anyone under the age of 18.
• Vulnerable adult: anyone over the age of 18 who is unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation due to age, illness, mental health issues or disability.
• Safeguarding: protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to their health or development, ensuring they grow up with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children and vulnerable adults to have the best outcomes.
• Abuse: any form of physical, emotional, sexual or psychological harm, neglect or exploitation.

DNA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone involved in our sessions to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of safeguarding practice. The welfare of the child comes before results, fixtures or getting through a session plan.

• Welfare of the child and vulnerable adult: the welfare of the child and vulnerable adult is paramount.
• Equality and diversity: we respect and uphold the rights of individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, religion or beliefs. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment free from discrimination — sessions are planned so players of all abilities take part.
• Safe recruitment: anyone who works unsupervised with children is DBS checked and suitable for their role before they start.
• Training and awareness: safeguarding training is completed and refreshed, so the coach and any volunteers stay up to date with their responsibilities.
• Reporting concerns: all concerns regarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Confidentiality will be maintained as far as possible, but concerns must be reported to the appropriate authorities.

7.1 Safeguarding lead

• Dave is the safeguarding lead for DNA and is responsible for implementing and monitoring this policy.
• The safeguarding lead provides advice and support to anyone helping at a session on safeguarding issues.
• The safeguarding lead ensures that all concerns are recorded and reported to the appropriate authorities.
• The safeguarding lead keeps up to date with safeguarding legislation and best practice, and keeps this policy aligned with them.

7.2 Coach, volunteers and assistants

• Everyone who helps at a DNA session must understand and comply with this policy.
• They must report any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult's welfare to the safeguarding lead.
• They must attend safeguarding training and stay informed about current safeguarding practices.
• They must promote a safe and inclusive environment at every session.

7.3 Parents, carers, club contacts and visitors

• Parents, carers, club staff and visitors are expected to adhere to the principles of this policy.
• They should report any concerns or suspicious behaviour to the safeguarding lead, or to the club's safeguarding lead where one is present.

8.1 Recruitment

• Anyone who works unsupervised with children undergoes checks before they start, including an enhanced DBS check.
• Roles and expectations regarding safeguarding are made clear before anyone begins helping at a session.
• Ongoing suitability is monitored through regular review and supervision.

8.2 Training

• The safeguarding lead has completed safeguarding training and refreshes it regularly.
• Anyone helping at sessions is briefed on recognising signs of abuse, appropriate responses to disclosures, and DNA's reporting procedures.

8.3 Reporting concerns

• Any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult should be reported to the safeguarding lead immediately.
• The safeguarding lead will assess the concern and decide on the appropriate action, which may involve contacting the club's safeguarding lead, children's social care or the police.
• All concerns must be recorded accurately and confidentially in a safeguarding incident log.
• Follow-up actions will be documented, and outcomes will be reviewed to ensure the effectiveness of the response.

8.4 Responding to disclosures

• If a child or vulnerable adult discloses abuse, listen calmly and reassuringly.
• Do not promise confidentiality — explain that you need to report the concern to ensure their safety.
• Record the disclosure accurately, including the date, time and details of the disclosure, and report it to the safeguarding lead.
• Offer support and reassurance to the individual making the disclosure.

8.5 Managing allegations against the coach or volunteers

• Any allegations against the coach or a volunteer will be taken seriously and referred, not investigated internally.
• Concerns about the coach or a volunteer are reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) at the relevant council — Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, or Dorset Council.
• The person concerned will step back from sessions while the allegation is dealt with, to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
• Outcomes will be documented, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings.

The coach, volunteers and anyone helping at a DNA session should:

• Treat all children and vulnerable adults with respect and dignity.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid any behaviour that could be misinterpreted as inappropriate.
• Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable adult where possible — sessions take place in open, visible areas, and communication with under-18 players goes through a parent or carer.
• Never use physical punishment or any form of degrading treatment.
• Ensure any physical contact is appropriate and necessary for the activity, and seek consent where possible.
• Use positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than negative criticism.
• Report any breaches of this code of conduct to the safeguarding lead.

• Sessions always run in open, visible areas where the coach and children can be seen.
• We do not exchange personal phone numbers with children or message them privately, and lifts, gifts or extra one-to-one time are not arranged privately with a child.
• No child is handed over to anyone other than an adult the parent or carer has told us to expect, where collection has been agreed.
• Promote a culture of openness where children feel comfortable discussing any concerns.
• Educate children about their rights and what constitutes inappropriate behaviour.
• Encourage parents, carers and club contacts to be involved and maintain open communication.

• We take care to protect children from online abuse, including cyberbullying and exploitation.
• Any online interaction connected with DNA — including social media — is conducted safely and appropriately, and never as private messaging with a child.
• Permission is asked before a child is photographed or filmed; images are used only for the purpose that was agreed, consent can be withdrawn at any time, and photos are not published alongside a child's full name or in a way that shows where they train or live.
• Guidance is available to parents, carers and club contacts on safe online practices around football activity.

• This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to changes in legislation or guidance.
• Feedback from parents, carers, club contacts and players will be considered in the review process.
• The effectiveness of safeguarding measures will be evaluated regularly, and improvements will be made as necessary.
• The safeguarding lead leads the review process and ensures any updates are communicated to everyone involved.

• Safeguarding lead: Dave Rimmer — on 07739 806379, or through the Contact page.
• Local Authority Safeguarding Team: BCP Council or Dorset Council children's services.
• Police: 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency).
• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000.
• Childline: 0800 1111.

• NSPCC — nspcc.org.uk
• Childline — childline.org.uk
• The Ann Craft Trust — anncrafttrust.org

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Care Act 2014
• NSPCC Safeguarding Standards and Guidance
• UK Coaching Safeguarding Guidelines