THE SCOTTISH FA has published a five-year strategy aimed at offering greater protection to children in football.

The Child Wellbeing and Protection Strategy has been published following an independent review of sexual abuse in Scottish football and has five key aims, which are:

- Embedding a consistent child wellbeing and protection system throughout the game

- Promoting children’s rights in all we do

- Support and develop learning and knowledge of child protection and wellbeing

- Improve standards at all levels

- Strengthen leadership, governance and accountability 

The policy was launched to coincide with the second annual meeting of Child Wellbeing and Protection Officers, and was attended by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell, Minister for Children and Young People Jackie Brock and former Tottenham player and abuse survivior Paul Stewart, amongst others.

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Speaking at the meeting, Maxwell said: “As Scotland’s national sport, we have known for a long time about the positive impact football can have on children and young people. It can impact on all of the national indicators of a child’s wellbeing — that she or he is safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.  

“Above all our children and young people should love being involved in football, enjoying and having fun in whatever way they choose to participate. This can only come about if they feel, and are, safe. 

“In 2016 the Scottish FA commissioned an independent review into Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football. The Interim Report, published in 2018, reported that football had not always been a safe place for some of the children and young people involved in our game. 

“The recommendations highlighted that the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our sport needed to be prioritised at every level of the game. As a Board we are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the Independent Review and who has therefore provided the catalyst for the transformational change that this strategy seeks to achieve. 

“The Scottish FA Board is pleased to introduce this five-year strategy for Scottish football and we extend our thanks to all those who took part in its construction. We look forward to receiving and scrutinising updates on its implementation and to fulfilling our leadership role across the game in this essential area of Scottish football.”