Safeguarding Policy Set

• Organizations in need of a safeguarding policy can use SWB’s detailed set as a starting point, rather than starting from zero
• Organizations in need of additional policies for specific aspects of safeguarding that have become more relevant as the organization has grown
• Organizations interested in learning what other large SBYD organizations are doing in terms of policy design and implementation
• Provides staff and volunteers with clear safeguarding rules, reporting procedures, and training expectations
• Helps coaches build safe practice environments, manage one-on-one interactions, and use restorative approaches to behavior management
• Supports families by clarifying policies, grievance procedures, and communication around safeguarding
• Ensures equity and inclusion through tailored statements for girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth with disabilities
• Useful for schools, nonprofits, and community sports organizations designing or updating safeguarding frameworks

• How do your current safeguarding policies align with national requirements and best practices?
• What systems do you have to ensure staff and volunteers are trained, supported, and monitored?
• How can you create a proactive safeguarding culture rather than just reactive compliance?
• In what ways can you embed youth voice and agency into safeguarding processes?
• How will you adapt inclusion strategies to address the needs of girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth with disabilities in your community?
• What communication strategies can you use to ensure families fully understand safeguarding policies?
• How will you monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding practices over time?
• If you use these resources, you must ensure that your policies align with all relevant local laws in your area. 
• SWB have provided access to these resources to help other organizations develop their own safeguarding policies. SWB in no way bear any responsibility for safeguarding matters in an organization that use these resources

If you have a Safeguarding concern, please visit the USSF Safeguarding Hub for additional information about how to make a report. If you or someone you know is at an immediate risk, please contact your local emergency services.

It is evident the amount of time and care SWB has put into developing this extensive set of safeguarding policies over the many years of operation and stages of growth. This resource will be valuable to organizations from the newest who are just starting out, to the most established who are interesting in learning from others. 

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) believes in the power of soccer, the world's universal language, to create positive change for individuals, families, communities, and the world. SWB’s mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. SWB programs are designed for young people to develop agency, a sense of belonging, and the skills to contribute, building social capital and strengthening positive identity development. To learn more visit soccerwithoutborders.org.