Legal & Policies

Last reviewed 1 July 2026

Safeguarding

The club’s duty of care to children and adults at risk, and how to raise a concern.

4 sections

Our commitment

The welfare of children and adults at risk comes before results, before reputation and before every other consideration in this club. Everybody who works or volunteers here accepts that.

Who is responsible

The club’s designated safeguarding officer is Ruth Callaghan, reachable on 01632 960 121 or safeguarding@meridianfc.example. A deputy is on duty at every academy session and every home fixture.

What we do

Everyone in a regulated role holds an in-date enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training. Academy staff are re-checked every three years. Photography at academy fixtures is by consent, recorded per player and reviewed each season.

Raising a concern

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise contact the safeguarding officer directly. You do not need to be certain, and you do not need to investigate — reporting a concern is enough, and every concern is recorded and acted on.

Concerns about the safeguarding officer should go to the chief executive at ceo@meridianfc.example.