WELLBEING & PROTECTION 

The responsibility to safeguard and promote the wellbeing and protection of a child or young person does not rest on one person. We are all responsible. The role of the Wellbeing & Protection Department at the Scottish FA is to ensure that Scottish Football is a safe and inclusive environment. We provide advice, guidance, education and support for staff/volunteers and it's members to embed safeguarding standards throughout Scottish Football, empower children and young people and respond to concerns where a child or young person’s wellbeing or safety has been affected.

In August 2019, the Scottish FA launched it's 5 year Wellbeing & Protection strategy for Scottish Football, “Getting It Right for Every Child in Scottish Football”. The purpose of the strategy is to help bring about a bold and ambitious programme of transformational change in the culture across the game. 

GETTING IT RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD IN SCOTTISH FOOTBALL: YOUNG PLAYERS HAVE THEIR SAY 

The Scottish FA has published its first national research project with children and young people, commissioned to evidence the progress Scottish football is making to place children’s rights at the heart of everything we do. Carried out in partnership with Children’s Parliament, the project champions the voices of children and young people playing football across Scotland, presenting their views on what it is like to be a young player in the game. 

Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: “Ensuring that Scottish football is a safe, welcome and nurturing environment for all children and young people is a continuing goal for everyone at the Scottish FA and it is heartening to see so many children speak so positively on the benefits that participation in our wonderful game brings."

Scottish FA Head of Wellbeing and Protection Alan Stewart talked about what’s next: “While the research has highlighted that children recognise the wider benefits football can offer, it also shows that there is still room for improvement. Using the insights we have captured through this research, we look forward to working with partners from across all sectors to continue delivering real and sustainable change for children and young people so that football is safe and enjoyable for all.” 

Scottish FA Young Players Share Their Views Report 2023

Summary Report Scottish FA Young Players Share Their Views Report 2023 

Scottish FA Young Players Share Their Views 2023 - video   

THE REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN SCOTTISH FOOTBALL 

The Report of the Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, published in February 2021, reported that football had not always been a safe place for some of the children and young people involved in our game. 

Alongside the strategy, the Scottish FA’s Child Wellbeing and Protection in Scottish Football policy will embed the procedures, guidance and safeguards required to give confidence, support and the effective response required to fulfil our role and responsibility to keep children and young people safe in football.

You can find the Scottish FA’s Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy, Procedures and Practice Notes here.

You can begin your coaching journey here.

You can read the annual review of our progress on the strategy since 2019 by clicking here. 

The Scottish FA's commitment to the implementation of the strategy and also the recommendations generated from the Independent Review will be supported by the Independent Wellbeing and Protection Advisory Board (IAB). More information on this board can be found here. 

HOW TO REPORT A CONCERN 

If you have any concerns about a child, an adult or yourself you should contact your club or associations Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer. Every club in Scotland has a Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer, it is their role to respond appropriately to concerns about the wellbeing of children and young people. If you are not sure who your clubs Child Wellbeing and Protection officer is, you can find out by checking the website, asking at the club, or speaking to your relevant association.

For more information on reporting a concern, or to find out who to contact, please click here 

If you are concerned that a child or adult is at an immediate risk of harm please contact the police on 101 or 999 without delay. 

CONTACTING THE TEAM  

If you wish to contact a member of the Scottish FA's wellbeing and protection team, please email childrenswellbeing@scottishfa.co.uk where one of the team will get back to you as soon as they can.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT 

If you are experiencing any difficulty accessing SFA Live or booking onto the Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football eLearning course please visit our online Coach Education Support Portal. Here you will find additional information and guidance to assist you.

If you are unable to find the information you need or if you are still having trouble, please raise a support ticket by clicking New Support Ticket at the top of the page. Please include your full name, date of birth and details of what support you require and someone will respond to you.