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🛡️ Safeguarding Adults in Football



“Respect. Protect. Empower.”

In today’s game, safeguarding isn’t just about children — it’s about every person in football, at every level. The FA / England Football Learning "Safeguarding Adults" course ensures coaches and club staff understand how to create safe, inclusive environments for all adults — particularly those who may be at risk of harm, exploitation, or neglect.


Whether you're working in grassroots, disability, or mental health football, this course is a crucial step in being a truly responsible and respectful coach.


🧠 Why Safeguarding Adults Matters


  • Many adult players face vulnerabilities (e.g., disabilities, mental health issues, or learning difficulties)

  • Coaches and club staff are often trusted figures — with that trust comes duty of care

  • A strong safeguarding culture protects both participants and staff


“Being a great coach starts with being a great human being.”

📚 Course Overview: What You’ll Learn


🧭 1. Understanding Safeguarding in the Adult Context


  • What safeguarding means for adult players

  • Who is considered an "adult at risk"

  • Common misconceptions about autonomy and consent


💡 Not all safeguarding is about protection — it's often about empowerment and respect.

🧩 2. Recognising Signs of Abuse and Neglect


  • Physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse

  • Discrimination, domestic abuse, institutional abuse

  • How to spot patterns and red flags without overstepping


🧠 “You don’t need to diagnose — you need to care enough to act.”

🔄 3. The Importance of Mental Capacity and Consent


  • Adults have a legal right to make their own decisions

  • Understanding mental capacity assessments

  • How to ask questions respectfully and involve the right people


⚖️ Balancing independence and intervention is key.

🗣️ 4. How to Respond and Report Safely


  • What to do if someone shares a concern

  • How to respond without causing distress or panic

  • Knowing when and how to report to safeguarding officers or authorities

  • Confidentiality vs. safety — understanding boundaries


📞 “You don’t have to fix it — but you do have to report it.”

🧑‍🏫 5. Creating an Inclusive and Safe Environment


  • Establishing clear codes of conduct

  • Encouraging open communication in your team

  • Ensuring accessibility and understanding for all players

  • Treating players as individuals, not just footballers


🏳️‍🌈 Inclusion isn’t an add-on. It’s part of your culture.

✅ Course Format & Delivery


  • 💻 Online delivery (self-paced)

  • 🕓 Takes around 45–60 minutes

  • ✅ Includes real-life scenarios and case studies

  • 🧾 Certification provided upon completion


This is not just a qualification — it's a responsibility every coach should take seriously.

🔑 Why This Qualification Sets You Apart


Having this certification means you're:


✔ Aware of the unique safeguarding needs of adult participants

✔ Equipped to take early, appropriate action

✔ Committed to building an inclusive football culture

✔ Trusted by players, clubs, and the wider footballing community


“The best coaches build environments where every adult feels safe, valued, and respected.”

⚽ Safeguarding in Practice: What It Looks Like


🗣️ Listening actively and checking in on players

📋 Making sure club policies include adult-specific safeguarding

👥 Working closely with Welfare Officers or Safeguarding Leads

🚪 Creating safe spaces on and off the pitch


It’s not about ticking a box — it’s about making a difference.

🏁 In Summary


The FA Safeguarding Adults course provides essential knowledge for all who work with adult participants. It helps ensure that football remains inclusive, safe, and enjoyable — no matter a player’s age, ability, or circumstance.


🌍 Putting People First in the Modern Game


Steve Halls is an FA qualified football coach offering consultancy, talent identification, mentoring and player representation in Cheshunt and the surrounding areas. In today’s connected world, Steve can offer his services to players, clubs, and organisations across the globe. With safeguarding and player welfare at the heart of his approach, Steve builds coaching environments that empower and protect — not just train.











🧠 Understanding the FA's Concussion Guidelines Course



"If in doubt, sit them out." – Protecting Players at Every Level

Concussion in football is no longer a fringe topic — it's central to player welfare. With rising awareness across all levels of the game, the FA / England Football Learning "Concussion Guidelines" course empowers coaches with the essential knowledge to identify, manage, and respond appropriately to head injuries.


Whether you're working in grassroots football or elite environments, understanding concussion protocols is a non-negotiable skill in the modern game.


🚨 Why This Course Matters


The course is designed around the urgent need to:


  • Protect players from long-term neurological harm

  • Equip coaches with clear, consistent guidance

  • Foster a safety-first culture in all football environments

  • Reinforce the message: "If in doubt, sit them out"


“We’re not just coaching footballers — we’re safeguarding lives.”

📚 Course Overview: What You’ll Learn


🧠 1. What is a Concussion?


  • The medical definition and football-specific examples

  • How even minor knocks can lead to serious outcomes

  • The invisible nature of concussion symptoms


👀 Key takeaway: Concussion isn’t always obvious — coaches must remain alert at all times.


⛑️ 2. Signs and Symptoms to Watch For


  • Physical: dizziness, headache, balance issues

  • Cognitive: confusion, memory loss, dazed expression

  • Emotional/Behavioral: irritability, sluggishness

  • Delayed symptoms: can appear minutes or hours later


“You don’t need to see a player collapse to take action.”

🧭 3. The Step-by-Step Concussion Protocol


  • Stop play immediately if a concussion is suspected

  • Remove the player from the pitch — no return the same day

  • Refer to medical professionals for assessment

  • Implement the "Return to Play" protocol (a 5-step staged process)


📆 Players must be symptom-free and cleared before resuming contact activity.


🗣️ 4. Communicating With Parents, Players, and Staff


  • How to calmly and clearly explain concussion risks

  • Ensuring informed consent before return to activity

  • Emphasising the importance of medical oversight


👨‍👩‍👧 This is especially vital at youth level, where coaches often serve as first responders and trusted figures.


⚖️ 5. Legal, Ethical and FA Guidelines


  • Why ignoring or mismanaging concussion risks legal liability

  • Your duty of care as a coach

  • Aligning with The FA's national guidelines and safeguarding framework


“Coaching is about development, but player safety must come first — always.”

🧑‍🏫 How the Course Is Delivered


  • ✅ Online and free to access

  • 🕐 Takes approximately 30 minutes to complete

  • 🎯 Interactive quizzes and real-world scenarios

  • 📜 Certificate awarded upon successful completion


💡 Perfect for any coach, parent, or volunteer working in football — from grassroots to academy.


⚽ Putting It Into Practice


Having completed this course, you're now equipped to:


✔ Recognise concussion signs immediately

✔ Act decisively and confidently

✔ Communicate with parents and professionals

✔ Keep players safe and supported during recovery

✔ Be a vocal advocate for a safety-first football culture


🧬 Concussion Awareness: A Core Coaching Skill


Player welfare is no longer a "nice to have" — it’s an essential part of your coaching toolkit. The Concussion Guidelines course ensures that your sessions, your team, and your club are aligned with modern safeguarding standards.


“The best coaches don’t just develop players — they protect them.”

🏁 In Summary


The FA Concussion Guidelines course provides a clear framework for recognising, responding to, and managing head injuries in football. Every coach should treat this knowledge as essential, not optional.


🌍 Supporting Players Beyond the Game


Steve Halls is an FA qualified football coach offering consultancy, talent identification, mentoring and player representation in Cheshunt and the surrounding areas. In today’s connected world, Steve can offer his services to players, clubs, and organisations across the globe. With safety at the heart of his coaching philosophy, Steve champions player welfare alongside technical excellence.











Maintaining Your Well-Being as a Football Coach




At NexxtGen Football, we believe that when you’re at your best, you’re able to give your best. Balancing the pressures of coaching and everyday life can be tough, but maintaining your well-being is essential for both your mental health and the success of your team.


Why is Maintaining Your Well-Being Important?


Your well-being is how you feel in yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. When your well-being is balanced, you approach coaching with a positive mindset, which helps you navigate the ups and downs of the sport.


Good well-being doesn’t mean you’re always on top of the world. It means recognising when you’re not at your best and taking action to make positive changes. It allows you to face challenges head-on without letting them affect your mental health.


Looking after your own well-being also sets a strong example for your players. It shows them the importance of self-care and resilience, both on and off the field.


What Can Impact a Coach’s Well-Being?


At every level of football, coaches face pressure and high expectations. This is especially true in grassroots football, where coaches often wear many hats. Balancing your own job, family responsibilities, match day logistics, and player management can be overwhelming.


For grassroots coaches, trying to meet everyone's needs—parents, players, and the club—while staying organised can take a toll on your well-being. It’s important to find ways to manage these pressures to avoid burnout.


Tips for Improving Your Well-Being


Here are some strategies to help you maintain your well-being as a coach:

  • Prioritise your well-being: Take care of yourself first before handling coaching tasks.

  • Get enough rest: Prioritise sleep to ensure you have the energy to coach effectively.

  • Eat well: Fuel your body with a healthy, balanced diet.

  • Live in the moment: Avoid dwelling on past mistakes or future worries.

  • Communicate openly: Talk to others rather than bottling up stress.

  • Make time for yourself: Whether it’s pursuing a hobby or going for a walk, allow yourself downtime.

  • Delegate responsibilities: Share the load with assistants, parents, or even your players.

  • Set realistic goals: Understand what you can achieve in the time you have.

  • Let go of perfectionism: Accept that not everything has to be flawless.


Understanding Your Well-Being


Being mindful of your well-being means regularly checking in with yourself. How are you feeling today? What’s going well, and what isn’t? When you feel drained, take steps to recharge—whether that’s taking a break or asking for help.


It’s important not to be too hard on yourself. There are always going to be things outside your control. Focus on what you can influence, and let go of the rest.


By prioritising your well-being, you set a powerful example for your players. Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability—doing so fosters a supportive environment where players feel safe to express their own emotions.


Support for Coaches


As a coach, whether you have formal support networks or not, talking to others is key. Build connections with your peers, fellow coaches, and trusted friends. Starting open, non-judgmental conversations can help relieve stress and help you feel less isolated.





Staying Calm in Challenging Situations


Coaching football comes with many high-pressure moments—whether it’s handling upset parents, managing a tough loss, or facing criticism. Whatever the situation, staying calm is crucial. Here are some ways to stay grounded during stressful situations:


  • Prepare ahead of time: Whether it's your line-up or game plan, being well-prepared helps prevent last-minute stress.

  • Redefine success: Winning isn’t everything. Make sure players, parents, and others understand the team’s wider goals.

  • Have a strategy: Think through how you'll handle tricky scenarios before they happen.

  • Use calming techniques: If you feel tension rising, take a few deep breaths to center yourself.

  • Embrace the ups and downs: Tough moments are part of the journey, but they make the victories even sweeter.


At NexxtGen Football, we believe in the power of positive coaching and the importance of well-being for both coaches and players. By taking care of yourself, you’re creating a healthier, more positive environment for your entire team.

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