Children & Vulnerable Adults

The Code of Conduct details the standards and practice required by all members when in contact with children and vulnerable adults.

These are categorised into good practice; practice to be avoided; practice never to be sanctioned; and safe practice in unforeseen circumstances. If there is a suspicion or allegation of non-compliance by a member with this Code the member will be dealt with through the Association’s Procedure for Managing Allegations of Abuse of a Child or Vulnerable Adult against a member and/or the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures.

Good Practice

• Assist in making football fun, enjoyable and promote fair play.
• Always work in an open environment e.g. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment for activities.
• Treat all children and vulnerable adults equally, with respect and dignity.
• Be an excellent role model including not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of children or vulnerable adults.
• Maintain a safe and appropriate distance from children and vulnerable adults off the field, both pre and post match. e.g. do not have an intimate relationship.
• When you have concerns over potential abuse, you should seek Child Protection Advice.

Practice to be Avoided

• Avoid physical contact, handling etc. at matches, in the dressing rooms or on the pitch, except with the following qualification. – the separation of players where the use of hands on a player may be appropriate for the purposes of restraint only minimum force should be used to resolve the situation and preferably as quickly as possible. This should be done with others present. Such restraint should only be used where other players are at risk or yourself.
• Avoid having favourites; this could lead to resentment and jealousy by other children or vulnerable adults and could be a cause for false allegations.
• Avoid taking children to your home.

Practice never to be sanctioned

• Never engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
• Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
• Never reduce a child to tears as a form of control.
• Never allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
• Never invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised.
• Never make discriminatory remarks e.g. racist remarks.

Race and Racism

The Scottish Football Association’s Show Racism the Red Card campaign is fully supported by the Association, and all members are expected to uphold its principles in promoting equality, inclusion and respect across the game.