Creating A Safe Environment For Every Player.

Safeguarding is central to how we operate. We believe every player has the right to enjoy football, develop with confidence and be protected from harm, abuse, bullying, discrimination and poor practice.

1. Our Safeguarding Commitment

AR Elite Academy recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person involved in our academy activities.

We are committed to:

• Providing a safe and positive football environment
• Treating every child with respect and dignity
• Promoting inclusion, equality and fairness
• Listening to children, parents and guardians
• Taking concerns seriously
• Acting in the best interests of the child
• Promoting high standards of behaviour from players, coaches, parents and spectators
• Following appropriate safeguarding procedures where concerns arise

2. Who This Page Applies To

• Players
• Parents and guardians
• Coaches
• Volunteers
• Staff
• Visitors
• Media team members
• Spectators
• Partners
• Anyone involved in AR Elite activities

3. What Safeguarding Means

Safeguarding means protecting children from harm and creating an environment where they can enjoy football safely.

• Physical safety
• Emotional wellbeing
• Protection from abuse
• Protection from bullying
• Protection from discrimination
• Appropriate adult behaviour
• Safe communication
• Safe photography and media use
• Respectful coaching
• Clear reporting routes
• Welfare support

4. Safeguarding & Welfare Contact

If you have a safeguarding or welfare concern connected to AR Elite Academy, please contact us as soon as possible.

If a child is in immediate danger or at risk of immediate harm, call 999.

For non-emergency safeguarding advice, parents and guardians can also contact the relevant local safeguarding authority, the NSPCC, the County FA or The FA safeguarding team.

5. Reporting A Concern

If you are worried about a child, player, coach, volunteer, parent, spectator or any behaviour connected to AR Elite, please report the concern as soon as possible.

Concerns may include:

• A child saying something worrying
• A change in a child's behaviour
• Bullying or harassment
• Inappropriate adult behaviour
• Unsafe coaching practice
• Discrimination or abuse
• Online or social media concerns
• Photography or video concerns
• Physical, emotional or sexual abuse concerns
• Neglect or welfare concerns

How to report:

• Speak to the Club Welfare Officer / Safeguarding Lead
• Email admin@areliteacademy.com
• If a child is in immediate danger, call 999
• For urgent safeguarding concerns, contact the police, local children's social care or the NSPCC

All concerns will be taken seriously and handled sensitively.

6. Emergency Safeguarding Guidance

7. Behaviour Standards

Everyone involved with AR Elite is expected to behave in a way that protects young people and upholds the values of the academy.

Players should:

• Respect teammates, opponents, coaches and officials
• Avoid bullying, discrimination or abusive behaviour
• Speak up if they feel unsafe or worried
• Represent AR Elite positively

Coaches and staff should:

• Put player welfare first
• Use appropriate language and behaviour
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Avoid one-to-one situations that could place a child or adult at risk
• Follow safeguarding procedures
• Encourage confidence, effort and development

Parents and spectators should:

• Support positively
• Respect coaches, officials and other families
• Avoid abusive behaviour
• Raise concerns appropriately
• Help create a safe and respectful environment

8. Anti-Bullying Commitment

AR Elite does not tolerate bullying in any form.

Bullying may include:

• Physical bullying
• Verbal bullying
• Emotional bullying
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or discriminatory bullying
• Online bullying
• Social exclusion
• Threats or intimidation

Any bullying concern will be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.

9. Equality, Inclusion and Respect

AR Elite is committed to creating an inclusive environment where players feel respected, valued and supported regardless of background, ability, race, religion, gender, disability or personal circumstances.

Football should be a place where young people feel safe to grow.

10. Photography, Video and Social Media Safeguarding

AR Elite uses photography and video to celebrate player development, fixtures, events and academy experiences. We are committed to using media responsibly and respectfully.

Guidelines:

• Player images should be used appropriately
• Parents/guardians can raise concerns about image use
• Content should not put a child at risk
• Personal details of children should not be shared unnecessarily
• Social media communication should remain professional
• Any concern about photography, filming or online content should be reported

Official social channels:

• Instagram: @ar_eliteacademy
• TikTok: @ar_eliteacademy
• Facebook: AR Elite Academy
• LinkedIn: AR Elite Academy
• YouTube: @Ar_eliteacademy

11. Safe Communication

Communication with players and families should be appropriate, transparent and professional.

Where possible, academy communication should involve parents or guardians, especially for younger players. Coaches, staff and volunteers should avoid inappropriate private communication with children.

12. Medical And Emergency Information

Where required, AR Elite may request relevant medical, allergy or emergency contact information to help keep players safe during training, fixtures, trials, tournaments and events.

This information should only be used for welfare, safety and emergency purposes.

13. Recruitment And Volunteers

AR Elite expects coaches, volunteers and staff working with young people to be suitable for their role and to understand safeguarding responsibilities. Where required for a role, appropriate checks, references, training and safeguarding expectations will apply.

14. Player Voice

Players should feel able to speak up if something does not feel right. AR Elite encourages players to talk to a trusted adult, parent, guardian, coach or safeguarding lead if they have any worries.

15. Parent And Guardian Partnership

Safeguarding works best when the academy and families communicate openly. Parents and guardians are encouraged to raise concerns early, share relevant welfare information and support the standards expected at AR Elite.

16. Review Of Safeguarding Information

This Safeguarding & Welfare page will be reviewed and updated as AR Elite continues to grow and develop its policies, procedures and academy operations.

Last updated: June 2026