Terms & Conditions

  • Budding Stars Football Academy or any of their staff are not responsible for any loss or injury during the class.


  • Budding Stars Football Academy reserves the right to remove from our programme, without refund, anyone who is found to be bullying, misbehaving or displaying disruptive behaviour.


  • Budding Stars Football academy will provide basic first aid but will not administer medication.


  • You must declare all medical conditions during registration and keep us up-to-date should this change by emailing us at - buddingstarsfootballacademy@gmail.com


  • You must declare if you do not want your child to be photographed for marketing use, and keep us up-to-date should this change using the given email address buddingstarsfootballacademy@gmail.com


  • Your booking is not confirmed until payment has been received. Paid for spaces will be given priority.


  • Monthly subscription fees remain the same each month regardless of the number of sessions scheduled within that month. This is because the total cost of the yearly term is divided evenly across all monthly payments to provide a consistent, manageable fee for parents. This means some months may contain more sessions and others fewer, but the monthly charge will stay fixed throughout the term.


  • When signing up to a monthly subscription partway through a month, a pro-rata payment will be required to cover the remaining sessions for that month. This payment must be made before attending any further sessions and will be calculated based on the number of sessions left in the current month. The regular monthly subscription will then begin on the 1st of the following month.


  • To cancel your childs subscription please inform Budding Stars at least 5 days prior to 1st of the following month to allow time to cancel the payment. Contact can be made via buddingstarsfootballacademy@gmail.com Clare - 07793730690 (Telephone/message/whatsapp) or through Budding Stars facebook page.


  • We don't issue refunds for missed sessions due to your own circumstances


  • If there are any sessions missed due to typical bad weather, Budding Stars Football Academy will endeavour to offer a make-up session, or parents will be refunded.


  • You must refrain from bringing your child to class if they have had any form of illness within 48 hours of the class.


  • If you are unable to attend a session please let us know as soon as is possible by emailing, telephoning, messaging.

Budding Stars Football Academy

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy Statement

 Policy Review Date: February 2026

The Purpose and Scope of This Policy

Budding Stars Football Academy provides fun, supportive and development-focused football sessions for babies, toddlers and young children in a safe, welcoming environment where confidence, movement and enjoyment come first.

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is:

  • To protect all children and young people who attend Budding Stars sessions from harm
  • To provide staff, volunteers, parents and carers with the principles that guide our approach to child protection and safeguarding
  • To ensure safeguarding is at the heart of every session, interaction and decision we make

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Budding Stars, including:

  • The owner and lead coach
  • Assistant coaches and volunteers
  • Sessional workers
  • Students on placement

Legal Framework

This policy is written in accordance with safeguarding legislation and guidance for England, including:

  • Children Act 1989 and 2004
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
  • The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

We Believe That

  • Children should never experience abuse of any kind
  • The welfare of the child is always paramount
  • Every child, regardless of age, disability, race, gender, religion or background, has the right to protection from harm
  • Creating a kind, respectful and safe environment is essential for children to thrive

We Recognise That

  • Some children are more vulnerable due to age, additional needs, communication difficulties or personal circumstances
  • Working in partnership with parents and carers is essential in promoting children’s welfare
  • Early years environments require heightened vigilance as children may not be able to verbalise concerns
  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

How Budding Stars Keeps Children Safe

We will seek to keep children safe by:

  • Valuing, listening to and respecting every child
  • Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL
  • Following best practice safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times
  • Ensuring all staff and volunteers have appropriate DBS checks
  • Providing safeguarding training and clear guidance for anyone working with children
  • Maintaining appropriate adult-to-child ratios at every session
  • Creating a positive, anti-bullying, inclusive environment
  • Ensuring parents remain present and responsible for their child during sessions (for younger age groups)
  • Recording, storing and sharing information securely in line with data protection law
  • Ensuring safe use of photography and social media with parental consent
  • Having clear procedures for dealing with disclosures or concerns
  • Having a clear process for managing allegations against staff or volunteers
  • Providing a physically safe environment through robust health and safety practices
  • Making sure parents know how to raise a concern or complaint
  • Encouraging an open culture where concerns can be raised without fear

Supporting Policies and Procedures

This policy should be read alongside:

  • Code of conduct for coaches and volunteers
  • Behaviour expectations for children and parents
  • Dealing with disclosures and safeguarding concerns procedure
  • Online safety and photography policy
  • Safer recruitment procedure
  • Health and safety policy
  • Complaints and whistleblowing procedure
  • Data protection and record keeping policy

Creating a Safeguarding Culture

At Budding Stars, safeguarding is not just a document, it is part of the culture of every session. We aim to create an environment where:

  • Children feel safe, happy and confident
  • Parents feel reassured and informed
  • Coaches lead with patience, kindness and professionalism
  • Everyone treats each other with respect

Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name: Clare Starr

Phone: 07793730690

Email: Budding Starsfootballacademy@gmail.com

External Support

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Policy Review

We are committed to reviewing this safeguarding policy annually and whenever legislation or best practice guidance changes.


Procedure: Dealing with a Disclosure or Safeguarding Concern

Linked to: Budding Stars Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Review Date: February 2026

Purpose of This Procedure

This procedure explains exactly what Budding Stars coaches, volunteers and staff must do if:

  • A child discloses something that concerns them
  • A parent raises a concern about a child
  • A coach or volunteer notices signs of possible abuse or neglect
  • A concern is raised about the behaviour of an adult towards a child

Safeguarding concerns must always be taken seriously, recorded and passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.

What Is a Disclosure?

A disclosure is when a child shares information that suggests they may be at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or unsafe behaviour.

Children in early years may not disclose clearly in words. Disclosures may come through:

  • Behaviour changes
  • Emotional distress
  • Play or drawings
  • Comments made during sessions
  • Things said by a parent or sibling

If a Child Makes a Disclosure to You

DO

  • Stay calm and listen carefully
  • Allow the child to speak freely
  • Take what the child says seriously
  • Reassure them: “You’ve done the right thing by telling me”
  • Explain that you cannot keep this a secret and must share it to keep them safe
  • Make brief notes as soon as possible using the child’s exact words
  • Report immediately to the DSL

DO NOT

  • Ask leading questions
  • Investigate or try to gather evidence
  • Promise confidentiality
  • Show shock, disbelief or anger
  • Confront a parent or alleged adult

If You Notice Signs of Concern

You may notice:

  • Unexplained injuries
  • Sudden behaviour changes
  • Extreme withdrawal or distress
  • Inappropriate language or play
  • A parent behaving in a way that concerns you

You must:

  1. Record what you observed factually
  2. Report it to the DSL as soon as possible (same day)

Recording the Concern

All concerns must be written down clearly and factually, including:

  • Date and time
  • Name of child
  • What was said or observed (exact words where possible)
  • Your name and signature
  • Any witnesses

Do not include opinions — only facts.

These records must be passed to the DSL and stored securely.

Reporting the Concern

All concerns must be passed to:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Name: Clare Starr

Phone: 07793730690

If you wish to raise further please contact Northants FA - info@northamptonshirefa.com or call 01604 670741

  • Children’s Social Care
  • The NSPCC
  • The Local Authority Safeguarding Team
  • The Police (if immediate danger)

If a Child Is in Immediate Danger

Call 999 immediately and inform Clare Starr or Northamptonshire FA as soon as possible.

Concerns About an Adult (Coach, Volunteer, Parent or Carer)

If the concern relates to the behaviour of an adult towards a child:

  • Do not confront the adult
  • Record the concern
  • Report directly to the Northamptonshire FA

They will follow the Managing Allegations Procedure and contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if required.

Confidentiality

Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis to protect the child. Parents will be informed unless doing so puts the child at further risk