Safeguarding & Welfare

1. Our commitment

The welfare of every player comes first. We have zero tolerance of abuse, bullying, harassment and discrimination, and every concern is taken seriously.

2. Designated Safeguarding Officer

Name: Russell "Rusty" Hullett · Position: Designated Safeguarding Officer · Organisation: The Academy Insider · Email: info@theacademyinsider.com · Website: https://theacademyinsider.com

Any player, parent, guardian or other individual who has a safeguarding concern relating to The Academy Insider may contact our Designated Safeguarding Officer, Russell 'Rusty' Hullett, confidentially at info@theacademyinsider.com.

• Concerns are taken seriously and handled sensitively.
• Information is shared only where necessary — absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information must be shared to protect a child or comply with the law.
• Email is not an emergency service. Urgent concerns must be reported directly to the authorities.
• A dedicated safeguarding telephone number may be added later.

3. Independent reporting route

If your safeguarding concern relates to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, or you do not feel comfortable reporting directly to The Academy Insider, you may contact the relevant local authority children's services, the police, the NSPCC or the appropriate safeguarding authority directly.

Where an allegation concerns someone working with children, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) may need to be contacted through your local authority. You will never be asked to report an allegation to the person it concerns.

4. Safer recruitment, DBS and training

We follow safer recruitment practices. The Academy Insider intends that all staff undertaking relevant child-facing duties hold appropriate DBS clearance and complete safeguarding training. We will confirm DBS status here only once checks are verified for each relevant staff member.

5. Good practice

• Professional boundaries between staff and players at all times.
• Communication with under-18s goes through, or copies in, a parent or guardian — no private one-to-one messaging.
• Parents and guardians are involved in bookings, reports and decisions.
• Photography and video only with consent; identifiable footage is not used for promotion without permission.
• Safe coaching environments, appropriate supervision and safe arrival and collection.
• Online scouting: footage and reports are stored privately and shared only with consent.
• Bullying is challenged and addressed with players and families.

6. Reporting and records

Staff report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officer without delay and record what was seen or said, factually. Allegations against staff are referred to the appropriate authorities and the LADO where relevant. Safeguarding records are kept securely, separate from customer records, and accessible only to authorised personnel.