FAW achieves Level 3 safeguarding standard in Wales

The FAW is proud to confirm that it has achieved Level 3 status against the Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in and through Sport in Wales. The decision followed a panel assessment held in October by Sport Wales. 

This outcome recognises the significant progress the FAW has made to strengthen systems, training and culture across Welsh football, and reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to safe, inclusive environments for every child and young person involved in the game. The Sport Wales panel noted the scale of development within the FAW and encouraged continued collaboration with the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) as it delivers its safeguarding action plan.

What Level 3 means

Level 3 is the highest safeguarding standard available to national governing bodies in Wales, evidencing robust policy, practice and continuous improvement across the organisation and its network.

In Wales, the standards, implemented with CPSU support, focus on six key areas that organisations must evidence and embed:

• Policy
• Procedures
• Practices
• Education & Training
• Implementation & Monitoring
• Influencing

About the NSPCC & CPSU

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity. Within sport, the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) works in partnership with Sport Wales to help sports governing bodies build strong safeguarding systems, offering guidance, tools and sector-wide expertise.

In Wales, CPSU is funded by Sport Wales to implement the safeguarding standards framework and support partners to maintain and develop appropriate provision across those six standard areas.

FAW’s commitment to Welsh football

Reaching Level 3 reflects the collective efforts of staff, volunteers and clubs across Wales. The FAW will keep building on this foundation by expanding training, improving reporting routes, and strengthening support for clubs and leagues. This will ensure that safeguarding remains everyone’s responsibility, everywhere the game is played.