Safeguarding checklist for club coaches using apps and group chats
Practical habits for coaches working with under-18s on phones, apps and group messages.
Most clubs run on group chats, and most safeguarding worries start there. These habits keep coaches and children safe. Your association's Code of Behaviour and your Children's Officer always come first.
Messaging
- Message the squad, never a child one to one.
- Include parents in any message to under-18s.
- Keep messages to times, places and team news.
Photos
- Only share photos of children whose parents have said yes.
- Never share photos that show a child's full name, school or address.
Records
- Keep your vetting and safeguarding training up to date, and keep the certificates somewhere your club can check them.
- Make sure two vetted adults are at every underage session.
Concerns
- Know who your Children's Officer and Designated Liaison Person are.
- Report a concern privately to them, not in a group chat.
In My Coaching App
Coaches can't message under-18s one to one, parents are included automatically, under-16s have no login, photos need a parent's yes and a coach's check, and concerns go privately to the Children's Officer. Read more.
Related
- Reporting a concernRaise a safeguarding concern privately with your club's Children's Officer.
- Data protection for club officersWhat the app keeps about members, who sees it, how children are protected and how long it's kept. For Children's Officers and county boards.
- Messages and keeping under-18s safeHow messaging works with under-18s, and what parents control.