Safeguarding
Statement.

01 Our commitment

SIB Enterprise is committed to the protection and welfare of every child and young person who accesses our services, directly or through a parent or guardian. Football development involves young people at some of the most formative and vulnerable stages of their lives. We take that responsibility seriously and without compromise.

Our safeguarding framework applies to all SIB Enterprise services, platforms, partners, employees, contractors, and agents — including SESI Intelligence, the Family Pathway programme, academy placement services, and all partner academies including FAB Academy at Bisham Abbey.

02 Designated Safeguarding Lead

SIB Enterprise has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for all child protection matters across the organisation.

Safeguarding concerns can be reported at any time. You do not need to be certain that abuse is occurring to make a report. If in doubt, report.

03 Our safeguarding principles

• Children’s welfare is paramount — In any conflict between a child’s welfare and any other consideration, the child’s welfare takes precedence
• All children have equal protection — Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, or background
• No tolerance for abuse — Physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect — all forms of abuse are unacceptable
• Adults are responsible for child safety — Children cannot be held responsible for the abusive behaviour of adults
• Confidentiality has limits — We will always share information about a child at risk with appropriate authorities

04 Platform safeguarding measures

SESI Intelligence

• Children’s profiles are accessible to parents/guardians only, not publicly visible
• SESI-AI-11 Family Coach AI refuses intensity plans for under-14s
• SESI Compliance AI (SESI-AI-09) runs all content against COPPA and AADC restrictions
• Video footage of children is stored with strict access controls and encrypted at rest
• No child’s footage or data is shared with clubs or scouts without explicit parental consent

Academy placement & trial services

• All partner academies are vetted for compliance with national governing body safeguarding requirements
• FAB Academy at Bisham Abbey operates under FA safeguarding obligations
• No child travels internationally for a trial without verified parental or guardian consent
• SIB Enterprise accompanies all under-18 players to trials where practicable

Communications

• SIB Enterprise staff do not communicate directly with children — all communication goes through parents or guardians
• No one-to-one messaging between adults and children on any SIB platform
• All coach communications involving children are copied to a parent or guardian

05 Regulatory framework

• UK — Children Act 1989 & 2004 · Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) · FA Safeguarding Code of Practice · UK Online Safety Act 2023 · UK Age Appropriate Design Code
• EU — EU GDPR Article 8 (child consent) · EU Digital Services Act · National child protection laws in all relevant jurisdictions
• USA — COPPA · State mandatory reporting laws · US Soccer Federation Player Safety Guidelines
• Japan — Act for Punishing Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (児童買春，児童ポルノに係る行為等の規制及び処罰並びに児童の保護等に関する法律) · Child Welfare Act (児童福祉法) · Act on Prevention of Spousal Violence and Protection of Victims · JFA (Japan Football Association) Child Safeguarding Policy · APPI requirements for children’s data under 18
• Football governing bodies — FIFA Child Protection Policy · UEFA Safeguarding Framework · FA Safeguarding requirements

06 How to report a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child — whether or not you believe abuse has occurred — report it immediately:

• SIB Enterprise DSL — Use our contact form, select “Safeguarding”
• UK: NSPCC Helpline — 0808 800 5000 · nspcc.org.uk
• UK: Childline — 0800 1111 (for children and young people)
• USA: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — 1-800-422-4453
• Japan: Child Consultation Centre — 189 (いちはやく / Ichihayaku) · 24 hours · Free
• Japan: Police — 110 · for immediate danger
• Emergency — If a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services: 999 (UK) or 911 (USA)

You do not need to be certain that abuse is occurring to make a report. Safeguarding works on the principle that the welfare of the child comes before all other considerations. If you are unsure whether something is a concern, report it and let the appropriate authority make the assessment.