Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures

Last updated: August 4, 2026

We Make Footballers USA — Safeguarding Children

We Make Footballers USA is committed to safeguarding the welfare of every child and young person entrusted to our care and providing a safe, 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 and applicable federal, state and local requirements. Because child-protection and mandatory-reporting requirements vary by state, each academy must comply with the requirements applying in its location.

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 eligibility to work.
• Meet and interview applicants before appointment.
• Obtain and verify a minimum of two references.
• Complete WMF-approved background screening and any additional checks required by state law, local authorities, facilities or applicable governing bodies.
• Ensure coaches and other personnel complete WMF-approved safeguarding training before working with children.
• Maintain an accurate register of background screenings, safeguarding training and renewal dates.
• Prevent anyone from undertaking unsupervised child-related work until all applicable screening and training requirements have been completed.

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 or Neglect: Contact the appropriate state child-protection agency or local law enforcement immediately. Internal notification to WMF does not replace or delay any legal reporting obligation. State reporting contacts are available through the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
• Immediate Danger: Call 911 immediately.
• SafeSport Reporting: Where the academy, activity or individual falls within U.S. Center for SafeSport jurisdiction, applicable misconduct must also be reported to the Center. Reports can be made online or by calling 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233). Suspected child abuse must be reported to local authorities before or in addition to SafeSport.
• 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.

For guidance and support, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline can be contacted at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). This support line does not replace an official report to a state child-protection agency or law enforcement.

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 appropriate state child-protection agency or local law enforcement.
• The U.S. Center for SafeSport, where the matter falls within its jurisdiction.

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