Match day safeguarding is about more than who’s on duty and where the first aid kit is kept.
In high-energy, high-visibility environments, the risk of harm doesn’t pause for the whistle and without a structured audit approach, even well-intentioned safeguarding plans can leave dangerous gaps.
At Safeguarding Today, we’ve worked with clubs, governing bodies and community teams across the UK. Here’s what we’ve learned makes the difference between audits that tick boxes and audits that build safer sport.
1. The Most Common Gaps We See on Match Day
Even well-organised teams can miss:
- Clear role allocation — Who’s the safeguarding lead today? Are they visible?
- Signposting for children and spectators — Safeguarding posters aren’t just a formality.
- Volunteer briefings — If new stewards or team helpers aren’t trained, risk increases fast.
- Changing room access — Who’s allowed where, and when? Do adults know the boundaries?
- Communication plans — What if a concern arises mid-match? Who responds?
2. What a Strong Match Day Audit Should Include
Effective audits aren't about more paperwork, they’re about asking the right questions:
- Are safeguarding responsibilities clearly communicated pre-match?
- Are all staff and volunteers briefed on how to respond to a disclosure?
- Is there visible signage for children and parents?
- Is your response protocol known and accessible — on site?
Want the full list?
Download our free Match Day Safeguarding Basics Audit Checklist to audit your club with confidence.
3. What We’ve Seen That Works
Clubs that embed safeguarding into the rhythm of the day tend to:
- Treat safeguarding as part of every pre-match briefing
- Give DSOs visibility – on the ground and online
- Encourage concerns to be raised early
- Run audits as conversations, not compliance exercises
These aren’t just best practices, they’re what keep children, young people and adults safer in real life.
To help your team start the season strong, we’ve created a simple, adaptable Match Day Safeguarding Basics Audit Checklist, covering:
- Pre-match responsibilities
- On-site signage and visibility
- Volunteer/contractor briefing essentials
- Responding to concerns
- Post-match debrief & action recording
Use it internally or to prepare for an external audit or inspection.
Let’s make safeguarding more than a pre-season conversation. Match day is where your systems are tested in real time. Our checklist is the first step and we’re here if you need support turning that insight into action.