Safeguarding Policy and Coach Code of Conduct

VerifiedCoaches is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who participate in football coaching sessions arranged through the Platform. This policy applies to Coaches, Parents, Players, staff, contractors, and anyone acting on behalf of VerifiedCoaches.

Part A: Safeguarding Policy

1Our Safeguarding Commitment

1.1The welfare of the child is paramount.

1.2Every child and young person has the right to participate in football in a safe, positive, inclusive, and enjoyable environment, free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, discrimination, and poor practice.

1.3VerifiedCoaches recognises its responsibility to take reasonable steps to safeguard children and young people using the Platform, including through safer recruitment, credential checks, parental supervision requirements, safety rules, reporting systems, and prompt response to concerns.

1.4All concerns, allegations, disclosures, incidents, and patterns of poor practice will be taken seriously, recorded appropriately, and responded to promptly.

2Scope

2.1This policy applies to all one-to-one and small group football coaching Sessions arranged through the Platform involving any person under 18.

2.2This policy applies during Sessions, booking communications, profile use, Platform messaging, complaint handling, verification, investigations, and any other context connected with the Platform.

2.3This policy should be read alongside the Platform Terms of Service, Coach Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and any operational guidance issued by VerifiedCoaches.

3Designated Safeguarding Lead

3.1The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for VerifiedCoaches is the founder, Eghosa Igbinigie.

3.2The DSL is responsible for receiving and managing safeguarding concerns, maintaining safeguarding records, coordinating referrals, ensuring this policy is implemented, and acting as the primary point of contact for safeguarding matters.

3.3The DSL can be contacted at hello@verifiedcoaches.co.uk.

3.4If the DSL is unavailable and a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. For non-emergency concerns where the DSL is unavailable, concerns may be reported directly to the relevant local authority Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), the NSPCC Helpline, the FA Safeguarding team, or the police as appropriate.

4Safer Recruitment and Coach Verification

4.1Before a Coach profile goes live, VerifiedCoaches will carry out reasonable verification checks of:

4.1.1Enhanced DBS certificate information suitable for working with children and young people, including DBS Update Service status checks where applicable.

4.1.2FA coaching qualification at Level 1 minimum, UEFA C Licence or above, or an equivalent qualification accepted by VerifiedCoaches.

4.1.3FA Safeguarding Children Course certificate or equivalent safeguarding training accepted by VerifiedCoaches.

4.1.4Public liability insurance covering one-to-one and small group coaching of children, with minimum cover of one million pounds.

4.1.5Proof of identity using government-issued photo identification.

4.1.6Any additional information reasonably required for safeguarding, safer recruitment, right-to-work, or platform integrity purposes.

4.2Verification is performed by the VerifiedCoaches founder or another authorised member of the team. It is not fully automated.

4.3Verification badges may be displayed on Coach profiles showing selected credentials that have been reviewed and the relevant verification date.

4.4A clear DBS check does not guarantee that a person poses no risk. DBS checks are one part of a broader safeguarding system that includes supervision rules, public venue requirements, ongoing monitoring, complaint handling, and incident reporting.

4.5Coaches must immediately notify VerifiedCoaches if any credential expires, is revoked, becomes invalid, or if any allegation, investigation, restriction, or safeguarding matter arises that may affect their suitability to coach children.

5Mandatory Session Safety Rules

The following rules are mandatory for all Sessions involving children and young people:

5.1Sessions must take place at Approved Public Venues only. Sessions must not take place at any private residence.

5.2A Parent or legal guardian must remain on site and within sight of the Session at all times for Players under 16. For small group Sessions, a Parent or legal guardian for each Player under 16 must be present unless VerifiedCoaches has approved a different arrangement in writing.

5.3Coaches must not arrange to meet a child without the knowledge and consent of the Parent or guardian.

5.4Coaches must not transport children in their vehicle under any circumstances connected with the Platform.

5.5Coaches must not exchange personal contact details, social media accounts, messaging app usernames, or private communication channels directly with any child or young person.

5.6Coaches must not photograph or record a child without explicit prior consent from the Parent or guardian. Images must be used only for the agreed purpose and must not be shared on personal social media without further consent.

5.7Coaches must not use physical discipline, intimidation, aggressive behaviour, humiliation, shaming, threats, discriminatory language, sexually suggestive language, or other inappropriate conduct.

5.8Coaches must not provide children with food, drinks, gifts, lifts, money, personal items, or private benefits without prior agreement from the Parent or guardian.

5.9Coaches must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times. Physical contact should be limited to what is necessary and appropriate for coaching, proportionate, visible to the Parent or guardian, and explained where appropriate.

5.10Coaches must check the venue and playing surface for hazards before each Session. A Session must not proceed where the environment is unsafe.

6Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

6.1Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child must report it.

6.2If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

6.3For all other concerns, report to the VerifiedCoaches DSL at hello@verifiedcoaches.co.uk as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the concern arises.

6.4Reports should include as much detail as possible: the child's name and age, the nature of the concern, what happened, when and where it happened, what was said or observed, who was present, any injuries or risks, and any immediate action taken.

6.5Do not investigate the concern yourself. Do not ask leading questions. Do not promise confidentiality. Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking and that the information will be shared with the appropriate people to help keep them safe.

6.6VerifiedCoaches will keep written records of safeguarding concerns and actions taken. Records will be stored securely and retained in accordance with the Privacy Policy and safeguarding best practice.

7Low-Level Concerns and Poor Practice

7.1A low-level concern is any concern about behaviour that may not meet the threshold for a safeguarding referral but may still be inconsistent with professional boundaries, the Coach Code of Conduct, or good safeguarding practice.

7.2Examples may include over-familiar communication, repeated boundary blurring, inappropriate jokes, poor supervision, unexplained one-to-one contact, unnecessary physical contact, repeated lateness affecting safety, or conduct that makes a child, Parent, or other person uncomfortable.

7.3Low-level concerns must still be reported to the DSL. The DSL will record the concern, assess patterns, decide whether early intervention is needed, and determine whether the matter should be escalated.

7.4Repeated low-level concerns may result in training requirements, warning, suspension, termination, or referral to the relevant authority depending on the pattern and risk.

8How VerifiedCoaches Responds to Safeguarding Reports

8.1Upon receipt of a safeguarding report, the DSL will take appropriate action, which may include recording the concern in the safeguarding log; immediately suspending the relevant Coach profile pending review; cancelling or pausing upcoming Sessions where necessary; preserving relevant records, messages, booking details, and verification information; assessing whether the concern requires referral to the local authority, police, FA, DBS, or other relevant body; making a referral within 24 hours where the concern meets the threshold for statutory intervention or urgent safeguarding action; and cooperating fully with any investigation by the local authority, police, FA, DBS, or other relevant body.

8.2A Coach whose profile is suspended may be informed that a concern has been raised and that their profile has been paused. Details may be limited where disclosure could prejudice an investigation, identify a reporter, increase risk, or breach legal obligations.

8.3Following review or investigation, the DSL may determine that the Coach profile should be reactivated, reactivated subject to conditions, remain suspended, be permanently removed, or be referred to a relevant authority.

8.4If a concern is found to be malicious or without foundation, VerifiedCoaches may reactivate the Coach profile and update records accordingly. Records may still be retained where necessary to evidence the outcome.

9Injuries, Accidents, and Medical Concerns

9.1Coaches must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable injury, including checking the venue, adapting Sessions to age and ability, monitoring weather and fatigue, and stopping activities where necessary.

9.2If a Player is injured, becomes unwell, or shows signs of distress during a Session, the Coach must stop the activity, provide appropriate first aid within their competence, notify the Parent or guardian immediately, and record the incident through the Platform.

9.3In an emergency, Coaches or Parents must call 999.

9.4A Player must not continue a Session if the Coach or Parent reasonably believes the Player is injured, unwell, distressed, or at risk of further harm.

10Whistleblowing

10.1VerifiedCoaches encourages anyone with a genuine safeguarding concern to come forward.

10.2No person will face retaliation or negative consequences for raising a genuine concern in good faith.

10.3If you believe VerifiedCoaches has not responded appropriately to a safeguarding concern, you may contact the NSPCC Helpline, the FA Safeguarding team, the local authority, or the police as appropriate.

11Review of This Policy

11.1This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if there is a serious safeguarding incident, legal change, FA guidance update, operational change, or identified safeguarding improvement need.

11.2VerifiedCoaches may provide additional safeguarding procedures, reporting forms, training materials, or operational guidance to support this policy.

Part B: Coach Code of Conduct

By registering as a Coach on the VerifiedCoaches Platform, you agree to uphold the following standards at all times.

12Professional Conduct

12.1Arrive on time, prepared, appropriately dressed, and equipped for every Session.

12.2Communicate professionally and respectfully with Parents, Players, VerifiedCoaches, and other users.

12.3Create a positive, inclusive, supportive coaching environment that prioritises safety, enjoyment, learning, effort, and development.

12.4Respect the individual needs, abilities, confidence, and development pace of each Player.

12.5Never discriminate against any person on the basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, nationality, or any other protected or personal characteristic.

12.6Never use coaching as a platform for unauthorised personal financial gain, including promoting personal products, recruiting for personal ventures, soliciting donations, or diverting Parents away from the Platform.

13Health and Safety

13.1Check the venue and playing surface for hazards before each Session, including broken glass, dog mess, standing water, uneven surfaces, unsafe goal posts, overcrowding, and other risks.

13.2Bring or have access to a basic first aid kit for each Session.

13.3Know the location of the nearest hospital, urgent care facility, or emergency access point relative to the coaching venue.

13.4If a Player is injured, administer appropriate first aid within your competence, inform the Parent or guardian immediately, and record the incident through the Platform.

13.5Do not allow a Player to continue if you believe they are injured, unwell, distressed, or at risk of further harm.

13.6In hot weather, ensure appropriate water breaks and monitor for overheating. In cold weather, ensure the Player is appropriately dressed and monitor for signs of cold-related illness.

14Social Media and Communications

14.1Do not communicate directly with any child or young person through personal social media accounts, messaging apps, text messages, phone calls, email, or private channels.

14.2All communication about Sessions must go through the Parent or guardian and, where possible, through the Platform.

14.3Do not post images, videos, names, locations, or identifying information about any child on personal or coaching social media accounts without explicit written Parent or guardian consent and without complying with the purpose for which consent was given.

14.4If you use social media for professional coaching purposes, your content must be appropriate, respectful, lawful, and consistent with safeguarding obligations.

15Alcohol, Smoking, Vaping, Medication, and Illegal Substances

15.1Do not consume alcohol within 12 hours before any Session.

15.2Do not attend or deliver any Session while under the influence of alcohol, illegal substances, medication, illness, fatigue, or any condition that may impair your ability to coach safely.

15.3For the purposes of this Code, illegal substances means controlled drugs or prohibited substances under applicable UK law.

15.4Do not smoke or vape during any Session or in the presence of Players.

16Breach of This Code

16.1Any breach of this Code may result in a warning, additional training requirement, reduced visibility, temporary suspension, cancellation of bookings, payout hold, or permanent removal from the Platform, depending on the severity and circumstances.

16.2Serious breaches, safeguarding concerns, suspected criminal conduct, false credentials, unsafe conduct, or repeated poor practice may result in immediate suspension pending investigation.

16.3VerifiedCoaches may report breaches to the FA, local authority, police, DBS, insurers, or other relevant bodies where appropriate.

16.4VerifiedCoaches may retain records of breaches, investigations, outcomes, and actions taken for safeguarding, legal, insurance, regulatory, or platform integrity purposes.