CSTSSports
GENERATION C

Safe participation is part of the programme.

Safeguarding needs to be considered across planning, staffing, travel, event operations and communications whenever children and young people participate.

Governance
Tier 1
Global Oversight
Ratio Standard
1 : 8
Active Pastoral Care
Verification
All staff
Vetting & Background Checks
A young athletic soccer player in a dark red kit holding a football in golden hour light, standing on a grass pitch facing a grandstand with warm backlit atmospheric haze, conveying discipline, youth athletic protection, and sovereign editorial majesty.
shield Protocol Status: Active
Ed. 2026.4
OUR APPROACH

A practical framework, not a badge.

The purpose is to help participants, families, coaches and delivery partners understand their responsibilities and know what to do when a concern arises.

MODULE 01
assignment_ind

Clear accountability

Identify responsible leads, supervision arrangements and the route for escalating concerns.

Governance Directive →
MODULE 02
handshake

Adult and child conduct

Set expectations for respectful behaviour, appropriate boundaries and participant wellbeing.

Ethical Framework →
MODULE 03
flag

Reporting duties

Make reporting routes clear to programme staff and ensure concerns are passed to the designated responsible person.

Escalation Protocol →
MODULE 04
verified_user

Vetting and training

Define appropriate checks, briefing and training for staff and other adults involved in delivery.

Staff Clearance →
MODULE 05
emergency

Safe event operations

Plan supervision, headcounts, movement between locations, emergency contacts and relevant medical arrangements.

Operational Dossier →
MODULE 06
photo_camera_front

Images and communications

Obtain appropriate parent or guardian consent for the commercial use of identifiable images of minors and manage communications carefully.

Media Safeguards →
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

Apply the requirements for each location.

Programmes should follow applicable local law and the requirements of the venues, schools, clubs and delivery partners involved. Specific arrangements will depend on the programme and destination.

Territorial Alignment Protocol Statutory Compliance
Domestic Host Venues Local Compliance Checks
Cross-Border Delegations Background Screening
Private Academy Partnerships Written Safeguarding Agreement
policy
Mandatory Notice • Pre-Fixture Distribution

Programme-specific arrangements

Safeguarding requirements vary by location and activity. Detailed procedures, reporting contacts and the approved policy should be provided to participating organisations and families before each programme.

Require the local policy dossier?
Our compliance directorate prepares the documentation required for each jurisdiction.
Request Specific Dossier →
Common questions

Safeguarding questions.

How is safeguarding built into a programme?

It shapes how every session is staffed, supervised and run, rather than sitting in an annex. That means clear accountability and escalation routes at every level, codes of conduct for every adult and child interaction, vetting and training before anyone works with children, medical and welfare protocols with age-banded training load, and clear rules on photography, filming and messaging. Any activity can be stopped if a risk is identified.

What standards is the framework built on?

Our framework is built on recognised international standards — the International Safeguards for Children in Sport, FIFA Guardians learning, IOC safeguarding guidance and the work of Safe Sport International — and applied alongside the law of each country where we operate. Named individuals in programme leadership hold FIFA Guardians certification and Safe Sport International membership.

What happens when a concern is raised?

Every concern is reported, without exception or delay, and raised to the designated responsible person for that activity. Clear reporting routes are set out for programme staff before delivery starts, with documented escalation steps and medical, welfare and emergency arrangements agreed per location and age group.