ASPIRE – Amazing Sporting Professionals & Individuals Representation Experts

01:Introduction

1.1 A safeguarding policy ensures that all participants in football are protected from harm, abuse, and exploitation. This policy demonstrates the ASPIRE (Amazing Sporting Professionals and Individuals Representation Experts)’s commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for players, particularly children and vulnerable individuals. It outlines the responsibilities of staff, coaches, football agents, and other stakeholders to uphold safeguarding standards and comply with the regulations established by governing bodies such as FIFA and relevant National associations.

1.2 At ASPIRE, we are committed to and have a responsibility to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where participants can develop and participate in football without fear of harm or abuse.

02:Purpose of the Policy

2.1 To provide a framework to ensure that children are safeguarded in the delivery of our service. It will be accompanied by codes of conduct, guidelines and procedures to support implementation. It applies to all those under 18, without discrimination of any kind. We acknowledge that some children can be particularly vulnerable to abuse (e.g. disabled children, or those on elite pathways), and we accept the responsibility to promote their inclusion, safety and well-being across our services.

2.2 To show our commitment to protecting children, young people, and vulnerable individuals from abuse, exploitation, neglect, or harm within our players’ recruitment and scouting procedures and practices.

03:Scope of the Policy

3.1 This policy applies to the following people (this is not an exhaustive list): managers, football scouts, administrators, coordinators, volunteers, parents/guardians, chaperones, partners, peer/youth mentors, consultants/contractors/subcontractors, players, coaches, football agents, club officials, staff members, and any other individuals involved or engaged in our football services. We operate a zero-tolerance approach to abuse or harm to children or vulnerable people.

04:Definitions

4.1

• Child / Young person / Minor: anyone under the age of 18 years. While recognising that programmes differ for young children and adolescents, this policy refers to all individuals under 18 years as “children” regardless of the age of majority in the country where the child lives.
• Child abuse: an act or omission that harms a child such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying or cyberbullying (including online abuse), neglect, or exposure to harmful conditions.
• Safeguarding: the action taken to ensure that all children are safe from harm when involved in football. It means proactively doing everything possible to minimise risk and prevent abuse.
• Child protection: the action taken in response to a specific concern for a child or children who may be suffering or are at risk of suffering harm or abuse.

05:Our Safeguarding Principles

5.1 Our core principle is that every child has the right to participate in football in a safe and supportive environment, free from abuse and harm. In view of this, we have aligned our principles as follows:

• We will always act in the best interests of children.
• Children’s rights, as set out in the UNCRC, will be respected and promoted throughout our recruitment and scouting practices.
• Every child has the right to participate in football in a safe and inclusive environment free from abuse, harassment, and exploitation.
• We will continuously assess risks to children to avoid any form of harm.
• We are against all forms of child exploitation and trafficking and will report any identified cases to the appropriate authorities.
• We are against any form of child slavery and will report such acts to the relevant authority.
• All activities involving children will involve at least two adults.
• When working with children between the ages of nine and eighteen, we adopt a ratio of one adult to ten children.
• Children’s views and opinions will be taken into consideration in decisions affecting them.
• We will never engage the services of a minor without parental or guardian consent.
• We will constantly assess risks to children across all our services.
• We will only approach or represent a minor player in compliance with the FIFA Football Agent Regulations and applicable national laws.
• We will not offer financial inducements, gifts, or material goods to minors or their families as a condition for signing representation agreements.
• Contracts involving minors will comply with FIFA safeguarding regulations and prioritise the minor’s education and development.
• All employees will be reference checked, DBS checked and undergo safeguarding training before working with minors.
• A designated safeguarding officer will liaise with clubs and academies on matters affecting minors.
• We will take necessary steps to safeguard children and proactively minimise risks.
• We will not engage in modern slavery, exploitation, human trafficking, or child labour.
• Anyone who breaches safeguarding policy or commits a crime against a minor will be reported to the police and relevant child protection authorities.

06:Code of Conduct

6.1 Our employees, football scouts, football agents and volunteers are highly responsible individuals who are expected to operate with the highest level of professionalism. A list of expected behaviours and conduct for staff, volunteers, parents/guardians, scouts, players and service users can be found on our website at: https://aspiresportsmgt.com

07:Roles and Responsibilities

7.1 The Managing Director is responsible for the overall implementation of this policy.

7.2 The Lead Safeguarding Officer of ASPIRE Sports Management Services Ltd is Abi Adeyinka, Tel: +44 2036335559, Email: info@aspiresportsmgt.com, who is responsible for safeguarding at all levels including the role of designated safeguarding officer.

08:Safe Recruitment and Training

8.1

• All staff and volunteers must complete FIFA Guardian Safeguarding Essential Course 1 and obtain at least Level 1 safeguarding qualification.
• Two professional references are requested from candidates during pre-employment.
• Proof of identification will be obtained using passport or national ID.
• Qualification and registration checks will verify professional credentials.
• Police / CRB / DBS checks are mandatory where roles involve access to children.
• All staff must complete safeguarding awareness training.

09:Reporting Procedures

9.1 Within football recruitment and scouting, we have a duty of care to protect children, young people and vulnerable individuals from abuse, exploitation, neglect or harm.

Concerns can be reported 24/7 via our online reporting procedure, email at info@aspiresportsmgt.com or telephone +442036335559.

10:Responding to Concerns

10.1 We respond to safeguarding allegations quickly and responsibly while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of players.

• All safeguarding concerns are taken seriously.
• If immediate risk exists, urgent protective steps will be taken.
• Concerns must be reported to the safeguarding officer.
• Records of allegations will be documented accurately.
• Confidentiality will be maintained.
• We will cooperate fully with investigations.
• Support will be offered to affected players.
• Procedures will be reviewed after investigations.

11:Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

11.1 All safeguarding allegations, concerns and investigations are handled with strict confidentiality. Exceptions apply where disclosure is required by law, in the public interest, or for regulatory compliance.

12:Monitoring

12.1 We continuously monitor our safeguarding policy through staff training and recruitment oversight to ensure safeguarding principles are applied across all services.

13:Complaints

13.1 Where a breach occurs, individuals are encouraged to make a formal complaint:

Email: info@aspiresportsmgt.com
Tel: +44 02036335159

14:Review

14.1 The effectiveness of this policy will be reviewed annually under the supervision of the Managing Director.

14.2 Lessons from safeguarding incidents and investigations will be used to improve procedures and standards.

Last reviewed: 17/02/2026