The FA-led national safeguarding campaign lasts all year – but its highlight is the annual Play Safe Weekend.


This year that’s on 28th/29th September, when the whole of football in England – from the professional game to the grassroots, and every level in between – joins forces to promote awareness of the importance of safeguarding across the game we all love.

Once again the Play Safe weekend is endorsed by leading children’s charity the NSPCC and will see a huge range of activity across the nation, fuelled by the encouragement and resources The FA provides.

“The central push behind this year’s weekend is to create awareness among individuals of the vital safeguarding role they can play in football. It really is about Everyone Everywhere, Every Time,” says Sue Ravenlaw, FA Head of Safeguarding.

“To find out more about your role in safeguarding whether you’re a parent/carer, committee member, coach, player, referee, spectator or a safeguarding lead, visit englandfootball.com/playsafe

To give Play Safe visibility, all grassroots clubs are provided with free captains’ armbands and Play Safe badges for coaches. In addition, clubs can apply to receive a Free Play Safe Pack for every affiliated youth team, whilst there is also the option for all clubs to purchase Play Safe-branded pitch-side banners – simply apply here.



In addition, County FAs, as well as leagues and clubs at every level, are being provided with digital and print assets. A specially-commissioned Play Safe film will be provided for County FAs, leagues and clubs to link to via their websites and social media.

“Then it’s over to everyone to decide how they want to showcase their safeguarding work,” says Sue Ravenlaw, FA Head of Safeguarding. “There were some great examples last year which resulted in reaching three million people – we’re aiming for more this year.”

How your club can get involved

1. Spread the word


Talk to people at your club about Play Safe. Make sure members know what it is, how they can get involved, and what their individual safeguarding roles are.

2. Visit the Play Safe Portal

Free Merchandise - your club have access to free merchandise, like pin badges and armbands.

New this year! You can also purchase brand new Play Safe-branded pitchside banners, to show your support for Play Safe throughout the season, visit playsafe.teamgrassroots.co.uk to register your club and claim your free resources.

3. Encourage parents/carers to complete the free, online awareness course

Parents and carers remain responsible for checking their child is taken care of in football. The ‘Safeguarding Awareness for Parents/Carers’ course is free and takes around 30-minutes to complete.  

Other things to do as a parent/carer: 

 • Know who your child’s coach/manager is and how to contact them.
 • Know how to contact your club’s welfare officer and where to report a concern. 
 • Ask about FA DBS Checks and safeguarding qualifications of the staff at your club.
 • Know what unacceptable behaviour looks like and the club’s Codes of Conduct. 
 • Keep on checking in with your child(ren) – make sure they know how to report a concern.

4. Your chance to feature on the England Football social channels!

For players 16+, parents/carers, spectators, coaches, match officials and club members. 

This is your chance to tell us about what you do to make the game safer. Using the 'Top Tips to Filming Guide', record yourself talking about your role, and with your consent, upload your content to jotform.com for an FA panel to review.
View the Play Safe  Filming Guide

If picked, your video could feature on EnglandFootball.com / TheFA.com, and their social media platforms reaching thousands! So make sure you're happy with your video being shared widely, and if you want to be tagged in the posts created, check your social media privacy settings are suitable.

For more information about Play Safe Weekend please contact our Safeguarding team via email.