SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Last updated: August 4, 2026

We Make Footballers Australia — Safeguarding Children

We Make Footballers Australia is committed to safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of every child and young person entrusted to our care and providing a safe, inclusive and positive environment at every WMF activity.

For the purposes of this policy, a child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 participating in a We Make Footballers activity.

This policy operates alongside the We Make Footballers Global Health, Safety & Safeguarding Policy, the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the child-protection laws and requirements of the relevant Australian state or territory.

Responsible & Safer Recruitment

Each We Make Footballers academy is an independently owned and operated franchise. WMF requires franchise owners to follow responsible recruitment and screening procedures for all staff and volunteers.

Franchisees must:

• Clearly define every role and its safeguarding responsibilities.
• Verify each applicant’s identity, qualifications and right to work.
• Meet and interview applicants before appointment.
• Obtain and verify a minimum of two references.
• Ensure every person in a child-related role meets the Working with Children Check, Blue Card or Working with Vulnerable People screening requirements applicable in their state or territory.
• Complete any additional police or employment screening required by law, WMF, the venue or an applicable sporting body.
• Ensure coaches and relevant personnel complete safeguarding training before working with children.
• Maintain accurate records of checks, registrations, training and renewal dates.
• Prevent anyone from undertaking child-related work until all applicable screening requirements have been satisfied.

Screening requirements and renewal periods differ between states and territories. Franchisees must verify the current requirements with the relevant government screening authority.

Reporting Concerns

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns must be taken seriously and acted upon promptly.

If a child makes a disclosure:

• Listen calmly and take what they say seriously.
• Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
• Do not promise confidentiality.
• Record what was said using the child’s own words wherever possible.
• Report the concern immediately.

• Poor Practice: Report concerns about inappropriate conduct or breaches of WMF procedures to the local franchise’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Criminal Conduct: Contact the relevant state or territory child-protection authority or Police. Internal reporting to WMF does not replace or delay a person’s legal reporting obligation. Official state and territory reporting contacts are available through Sport Integrity Australia’s Child Protection Reporting Information.
• Immediate Danger: Call Triple Zero 000 and request Police or Ambulance assistance.
• Corporate Escalation: If the local Designated Safeguarding Lead cannot be reached, the matter is not being handled appropriately, or the concern involves the franchise owner, contact WMF Head Office at info@wemakefootballers.com. This must not delay a report to the authorities.

Children and young people who need confidential support can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. This is a support service and does not replace a statutory child-protection report.

Whistleblowing

WMF prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

Concerns about an adult in a position of trust may be reported to:

• WMF Head Office at info@wemakefootballers.com.
• The relevant state or territory child-protection authority.
• Police, where criminal behaviour or an immediate safety risk is suspected.
• The applicable sporting or integrity body, where that body has jurisdiction.

This public summary does not replace the full We Make Footballers Global Health, Safety & Safeguarding Policy or any reporting obligation imposed by state or territory law.