Case Study: Youth Football Clubs and Safeguarding Levels 1 and 2, Safeguarding DSL Level 3, and Prevent Awareness
Feb 21, 2023
Case Study: Youth Football Clubs and Safeguarding Levels 1 and 2, Safeguarding DSL Level 3, and Prevent Awareness
Background:
Youth Football Clubs aim to provide young people with opportunities to participate in football and other physical activities, while also promoting social development and education.
Youth Football Clubs:
The clubs have a number of programs, including after-school clubs, weekend coaching sessions, and summer camps. These programs attract hundreds of young people each year, ranging from 5 to 18 years old. As a result, the groups take safeguarding and child protection very seriously and implement a number of measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all young people who participate in its programs.
Safeguarding Levels 1 and 2:
All staff and volunteers who work with young people in the group's programs are required to complete Safeguarding Level 1 and Safeguarding Level 2 training. This training covers a range of topics, including:
- Understanding the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect
- Responding to disclosures of abuse and neglect
- Understanding the legal framework for child protection
- Promoting the welfare of children and young people
By completing this training, staff and volunteers are better equipped to recognize signs of abuse and neglect, and to respond appropriately if they have concerns about a young person's safety or well-being. This training is mandatory for all staff and volunteers and is regularly updated to ensure that it remains current and relevant.
Safeguarding DSL Level 3:
In addition to the basic safeguarding training, the groups also have a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) who has completed Safeguarding DSL Level 3 training. The DSL is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding issues within the group, and for ensuring that all staff and volunteers are aware of their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and child protection.
The DSL has a range of responsibilities, including:
- Providing advice and support to staff and volunteers
- Ensuring that the foundation's safeguarding policies and procedures are up-to-date and fit for purpose
- Ensuring that all safeguarding concerns are handled appropriately and in a timely manner
- Liaising with external agencies, such as social services and the police, as required
The DSL is a key member of the foundation's safeguarding team and plays a critical role in ensuring that young people who participate in the foundation's programs are safe and well-protected.
Prevent Awareness:
In addition to the safeguarding training, the club also provides training on Prevent awareness. Prevent is a government program that aims to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, and this training helps staff and volunteers identify and respond to any concerns they may have about young people who may be at risk of radicalization.
The Prevent training covers a range of topics, including:
- Understanding the factors that can lead to radicalization
- Identifying the signs of radicalization
- Responding to concerns about young people who may be at risk of radicalization
- Understanding the legal framework for the Prevent program
By providing this training, the group is able to ensure that staff and volunteers are aware of the potential risks associated with radicalization, and are better equipped to respond to any concerns they may have.
Conclusion:
Youth Football Clubs take safeguarding and child protection very seriously and has implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all young people who participate in its programs. By providing comprehensive safeguarding training, a designated safeguarding lead, and training on Prevent awareness, the foundation is able to create a safe and secure environment in which young people can participate in football and other physical activities, while also promoting social development and education.
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