Safeguarding & Child Protection Framework
How the Academy protects children and young people from harm across all of its programmes, activities, and online environments.
The Cayman Islands National Coaching Academy is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and protective environment for every child and young person in its care, and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility: every adult engaged with the Academy — staff, coaches, volunteers, contractors, and Board members — has a duty to protect children. The framework applies across all programmes, events, training, camps, travel, competitions, and online activities, and is aligned with Darkness to Light, the FA, UEFA, CONCACAF, and international best practice.
Built on Darkness to Light's 5 Steps to Protecting Children, the framework covers the full range of safeguarding measures:
- A Safe Environment Policy governing visibility, supervision ratios by age group, and controlled facility access
- A Code of Conduct setting clear mandatory and prohibited behaviours for all adults
- Safer recruitment, including background checks, references, and required safeguarding training
- Clear reporting and response procedures, with all staff acting as mandatory reporters and statutory authorities leading investigations
- Specific protections for online safety and for travel and residential events
A Designated Safeguarding Officer is the primary point of contact for concerns, supported by a Deputy and overseen by the Board. Anyone raising a genuine concern is protected from retaliation, and the framework is reviewed annually and after any incident.