Play Safe Weekend is a vital initiative led by the Football Association (FA) to promote safeguarding in football across England.
Scheduled annually, this campaign is a cornerstone of the FA’s commitment to creating a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in football, from grassroots to professional levels.
Play Safe is backed by the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship and every level of the game, including grassroots, across England.
This coming weekend is the dedicated period of action and aims to raise awareness and educate all members of the football community - players, parents, coaches, referees, and club officials - about their collective responsibility in safeguarding.
Derby County will be offering their support at its Men’s home fixture against Norwich City in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 28th September (12:30pm kick-off), followed by the Women’s League Cup First Round tie against Hashtag United on Sunday 29th September (2pm kick-off).
Both matches will see the key Play Safe messaging displayed both on and off the field by key individuals and through communication assets.
The core message of Play Safe Weekend is simple yet powerful: safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. This message is reinforced through a variety of activities, resources, and communications that are rolled out across the country during the weekend.
One of the primary focuses of Play Safe Weekend is the education and empowerment of those in key roles within football clubs. The FA provides specific guidance on how to recognise signs of abuse or neglect, how to respond to concerns, and how to create a culture of vigilance and support within football communities. By ensuring that everyone involved in football is informed and prepared, the FA aims to prevent incidents before they occur and ensure swift, appropriate action when necessary.
The dedicated weekend also highlights the importance of having designated safeguarding officers within clubs, whether grassroots or professional, and making sure these individuals are approachable and well-trained. Clubs are encouraged to review their safeguarding policies, ensuring they are up-to-date and fully understood by all members.
In addition to safeguarding practices, Play Safe Weekend promotes the broader idea of respect and inclusivity within football. This includes ensuring that the sport is welcoming to everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or ability. The initiative underscores that a safe environment is not just about physical safety but also about mental and emotional well-being.
Through Play Safe Weekend, the FA demonstrates its unwavering commitment to safeguarding in football. By equipping the football community with the necessary tools and knowledge, the initiative ensures that the game remains a positive, safe, and enjoyable experience for all.
The Derbyshire Football Association are also collaborating with grassroots clubs and leagues in the county to spread the key messages of Play Safe across all levels of football.
Pride Park Stadium will serve as a key venue for promoting the initiative on Saturday, while Derwent Valley Junior Football League up in the Derbyshire Dales will continue the momentum on Sunday. County FA officials will actively support and spread the positive safeguarding messages of Play Safe to ensure that football remains a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
To find out more about the FA’s Safeguarding FREE Awareness Course for Parents and Carers, click here.
Safeguarding At Derby County
Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The club has systems in place to ensure that the welfare of vulnerable groups is dealt with appropriately and sensitively.
Everyone working at the club has a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an environment that protects them from harm. Our standards of practice ensure all staff are fully aware and understand their responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
All staff are alert to signs of abuse or maltreatment and will refer concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead using the agreed safeguarding procedures.
The club ensures that all staff that have a direct responsibility for children, young people or vulnerable adults (vulnerable groups) have been subject to the most stringent of recruitment practices which include Enhanced Criminal Record Checks and reference checks.
Find out more at: dcfc.co.uk/page/safeguarding
How To Report A Safeguarding Concern
If you are a parent/carer, make yourself familiar with your child’s club welfare officer. Keep their contact number in your phone, along with the number for the NSPCC, which is 0808 800 5000. Keep up to date with the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and check in with your child to see what they are enjoying and what they are not, and why.
If you are worried about a child, it’s vital you report your concerns. Doing nothing is not an option. It’s also important you stay calm, and if any child is present, reassure them they are not to blame. But don’t make promises of confidentiality or outcome.
If you have a safeguarding concern, there are five ways to report it:
1. To your club or league designated safeguarding officer – please find out from your club who these people are
2. To your County FA designated safeguarding officer. Jenny Blewitt is Derbyshire FA’s Safeguarding and Equality Manager
3. By emailing The FA safeguarding team at safeguarding@TheFA.com
4. If urgent and you cannot contact your club, league or County FA designated safeguarding officer, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline for expert advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
5. If it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the Police or children's social care in your area
Football for children should be about having fun, making friends, and creating memories. Do your part, take responsibility, and help us change lives positively through football.