There has been much talk about whether it’s safe to take pictures of under 18’s playing sport. The FA would like to assure parents, carers, coaches, spectators, players and local media that we indeed encourage the taking of appropriate images in football where the FA’s best practice guidelines have been followed.
Key Concerns:
The FA has developed this guidance to help avoid the following:
The inappropriate use, adaptation, or copying of images for use on child abuse sites (often referred to as pornography sites)
The possible identification of children when a photograph is accompanied by personal information – as this can lead to ‘grooming’
The possible identification and locating of children who have been removed for their own safety from their family due to child protection concerns
Whilst the majority of images taken are appropriate and taken in good faith we must not forget that collectively we can help to ensure the safety of those children who may be put at risk if we fail to take some simple measures as detailed below.
Commonsense considerations to ensure everyone’s safety:
Do :
Make sure that you have parental and player consent to take images.
Use an annual consent form to ensure that no U18 members of your club are going to be compromised by any child protection issues if their image is taken. You will need to establish if any under 18 members are currently subject to local authority care proceedings, e.g. residence proceedings.
Try to focus on the activity rather than the individual.
Try to take group images rather than individual images where the young person is not related to you.
Ensure all those featured are appropriately dressed (a minimum of vest or shirt and shorts).
Aim to take pictures which represent the broad range of youngsters participating safely in football e.g. boys and girls, disabled people, minority ethnic communities.
Make sure you communicate your club’s approach to taking images with all parents, carers and members when they join the club.
Encourage your club to communicate the three key concerns* so that parents, carers and members understand the proactive approach to the recording of images.
Seek further guidance from The FA if you are informed that anyone under 18 connected to your club is currently subject to local authority care proceedings, e.g. residence proceedings.
Report any instances of inappropriate images in football to The FA’s Child Protection Department.
Don’t :
publish photographs with the full name(s) of the individual(s) unless you have written consent to do so and you have informed the parents as to how the image will be used.
Don’t :
use player profiles with pictures and personal information on websites.
use an image for something other that which it was initially agreed, e.g. published in local press when initially produced for clubhouse commemorative picture.
don’t assume that other clubs will be as well informed as you regarding the recording of images – help them to understand the key concerns and commonsense considerations.
allow images to be recorded in the changing rooms – this includes the use of mobile phones that record images.
Remember :
It’s not an offence to take appropriate photographs in a public place even if asked not to do so!
It is not your place to decide who can and cannot take images on public land.
If you have serious concerns about a possible child protection issue relating to the recording of images then call the police, this action should not be taken lightly and should only be done in extreme circumstances.
You can decide whether or not photography and or videoing at football activities will be permitted when carried out on private land. However you need to make this known before allowing individuals access to the private property. If they do not comply then you may request that they leave.
Try not to use images that include individuals wearing jewellery.
Dealing with photography and videoing when organising events :
You are likely to have parents wishing to take pictures of their sons or daughters and team-mates alongside the local media and freelance photographers. Each group will have a different purpose for recording images but all in their own way helping to celebrate and promote football.
Commissioning professional photographers and the local media :
If you are commissioning professional photographers or inviting the press to cover a football activity ensure they are clear about your expectations in relation to child protection. Remember the key is to plan ahead and communicate early on!
Provide a clear brief about what is considered appropriate in terms of content and behaviour.
Inform them of your club’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people and establish who will hold the images recorded and what they intend to do with them, e.g. place on website for sale, distribute thumb nails to the club to coordinate sales.
Issue the professional photographer with ID, which must be worn at all times.
Inform participants and parents or carers prior to the event that a professional photographer will be in attendance and ensure you have established that no under 18’s will be compromised due to child protection concerns if their image is taken – remember this can be done by using the annual consent form at the start of season.
Don’t agree to photo sessions outside of the event or at a footballer’s home.
Parents and Spectators :
Make the parents and spectators aware of the clubs expectations relating to recording of images – see key concerns and commonsense considerations on page one. Ask everyone wishing to take images to register at the event – make sure you have a clearly signposted area for them to do so and use a simple registration form.