A Premier League club must appoint a senior safeguarding lead, who champions safeguarding at board level, and at least one full-time head of safeguarding, who is the first point of contact for abuse reports or welfare concerns.
The safeguarding posts at a club
These are the three safeguarding posts used at a club.
| Role | Who fills it | What it is responsible for |
|---|---|---|
| Senior safeguarding lead | Designated by the club, with the name sent in writing to the league's head of safeguarding | Leadership of the club's safeguarding provision and championing safeguarding at board level; receives the regular reports on compliance and written notice of any external referral |
| Head of safeguarding | At least one full-time club affiliated individual with the necessary skills and expertise, named to the league | Strategic leadership, approving the safeguarding provision for every activity, being the first point of contact for concerns, leading any investigation and keeping the records of allegations |
| Safeguarding officer | One or more other club affiliated individuals the head of safeguarding may bring in for a specific activity | The delegated duties of being known and available, issuing the written instructions and supporting anyone who reports, under the supervision of the head of safeguarding |
What the senior lead and the head of safeguarding each do
The senior safeguarding lead carries leadership responsibility for the club's safeguarding provision in consultation with the head of safeguarding. The post also champions safeguarding at board level and receives regular reporting on how effective the club's safeguarding policies and procedures are, along with how far the club complies with them.
The head of safeguarding handles the club's central safeguarding function day to day. The role must be full time and must be that person's sole responsibility; where possible, the post reports directly to and is managed by the senior safeguarding lead. The club must tell the league who fills the post, and the name of the senior safeguarding lead must be sent in writing to the league's head of safeguarding.
The head of safeguarding also provides strategic leadership on safeguarding issues across the club, reviews and approves the safeguarding provision for every activity, liaises regularly with and is guided by the advice of the relevant local and statutory authorities and the league, and promotes awareness while encouraging and monitoring good practice across the club.
Contact point, investigations and records
The head of safeguarding is the first point of contact for any report or suspicion of abuse, and for any concern about the welfare of a child or adult at risk engaged in an activity. If an allegation is investigated, that person acts as the club's lead official in the investigation.
Every club affiliated individual must know who the head of safeguarding is. Through any handbook produced for an activity, children and adults at risk who take part, and their parents and carers, must also be told who that person is. The head of safeguarding must be available to them in person or by telephone at all reasonable times.
The role also includes giving written instructions to those working on each activity on good practice and on what to do about signs or suspicions of abuse, then guiding and supporting anyone who raises a concern. Record-keeping is part of the same job: the head of safeguarding keeps clear, comprehensive and up-to-date records of every allegation of abuse or poor practice, how each one was resolved, and the decisions reached.
When duties can be delegated
These are the duties that may be delegated for a specific activity.
| Original post | Can it be delegated? | Delegated duty |
|---|---|---|
| Head of safeguarding | Yes | Being known and available to those taking part in a specific activity |
| Head of safeguarding | Yes | Issuing written instructions to staff on good practice and on signs or suspicions of abuse for that activity |
| Head of safeguarding | Yes | Guiding and supporting anyone who raises a concern for that activity |
Delegation is limited. It can be used for a specific activity and only by bringing in one or more other club affiliated individuals as safeguarding officers. Even then, the head of safeguarding keeps oversight and must supervise their work.
Training and support do not fall away once duties are delegated. The head of safeguarding must make sure safeguarding officers are properly trained and supported, including through regular meetings with each of them and minutes kept for those meetings.
FAQ
Who is responsible for safeguarding at a Premier League club?
Responsibility is split across posts. The senior safeguarding lead carries leadership responsibility and champions safeguarding at board level, while the head of safeguarding runs the core safeguarding function and is the first contact for concerns.
Does a Premier League club need a full-time safeguarding role?
Yes. A club must appoint at least one full-time head of safeguarding, and that role is the person's sole responsibility. Safeguarding officers can be added for specific activities, but they do not replace the full-time post.
What does a head of safeguarding do?
The role covers strategic leadership, approving safeguarding provision for every activity, handling concerns, leading investigations and keeping records. It also includes regular reporting to the senior safeguarding lead and to the club's board on policy effectiveness and compliance.
Who receives a welfare concern inside the club?
The head of safeguarding is the first point of contact inside the club. That applies to reports or suspicions of abuse and to concerns about the welfare of a child or adult at risk engaged in an activity.
What training and formal support must these post-holders get?
Every head of safeguarding and safeguarding officer must be trained in all issues affecting the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. Each one must receive a job description that properly records their responsibilities and must complete league-approved continuing professional development in each calendar year, with a record kept of it.