The two new studies examined safeguarding in football and found that education helps coaches, volunteers and officials better recognise and respond to welfare concerns, while strong leadership, policies and resources are essential for putting safeguarding into practice.
Interpersonal violence is now widely acknowledged as a key concern throughout sport and in response, governing bodies have started to introduce safeguarding strategies.
One example is the England Football Association’s Safeguarding Strategy, initially published in 2021, which outlines steps to build an ever-safer culture at every level of football. Critical to supporting this strategy is the mandatory safeguarding training for welfare officers, coaches and referees.
The first study, led by Loughborough University, evaluated the perspectives of learners who completed this safeguarding training and its impact on broader safeguarding culture in the UK.
The research found that safeguarding training significantly improved knowledge and confidence, helping those involved in football identify concerns and understand how to act. Another example is the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football Diploma, which aims to strengthen safeguarding measures throughout global football.
Led by Loughborough University expertise, the research explored the experiences of the Nominated FIFA Learners enrolled in the Diploma, whose role is to implement safeguarding across their Member Association.
Safeguarding leads from football associations around the world identified key ingredients for successful safeguarding programmes, including leadership commitment, clear procedures, dedicated staff, awareness-raising and approaches tailored to local cultures and contexts.
Together, the findings show that safeguarding is most effective when it becomes part of an organisation's culture rather than the responsibility of a single individual.
The researchers say the studies provide a roadmap for football organisations seeking to strengthen child safeguarding measures and build safer, more inclusive environments across all levels of the game.
Dr Rachel Ade, a Research Associate at Loughborough University, said of the study: “Football is a team sport in which every individual involved has a key role to play in shaping the overall performance and success of the team. Safeguarding is no different. It is a multifaceted collaboration, where factors such as training and leadership support represent key players in creating a safer environment”.
The findings of these reports will also form the basis of StepChange 2026: From Paper to Pitch, an online event from 16-20 November 2026, which will examine how safeguarding in football can be brought into everyday practice and create safer environments for children and young people participating in academy systems.
Led by the Project StepChange team at Loughborough University and coinciding with International Children’s Day, the five-day event will feature over 40 speakers from national and international football organisations, including FIFA and The FA, who will share their expertise.
The free event series will explore how, whilst elite player pathways can provide life-changing opportunities for young athletes, they can also foster environments characterised by pressure, uncertainty, power imbalances and safeguarding risks.