How to Pass the FIFA Agent Exam: Key Points to Note in The FIFA Child Safeguarding Documents

Introduction

The FIFA Child Safeguarding Toolkit for Member Associations is a vital resource aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of children involved in football. The toolkit is the final document in chapter 1 of the FIFA Study Materials. Its key component outlines five essential steps towards safeguarding children in football which are also underpinned by five key principles. Following this, the Guardians Safeguarding Essentials Course document offers additional insights into safeguarding minors, emphasising the recognition of abuse signs, understanding the impact of trauma on children, and implementing appropriate safeguarding measures. It is definitely an area which aspiring football agents should examine and complete.

In this blog we will delve into these two documents but notably, as well as the information given within them, the FIFA Football Agent Exam also often requires candidates to apply their common sense and intuition in making judgments on appropriate behaviour around children, highlighting the importance of ethical responsibility and awareness of child welfare issues in the football industry.

The Contents

The key aspects of the contents page of the Child Safeguarding Toolkit are the five principles and five steps towards safeguarding children in football. The toolkit also clarifies what it does not cover and provides a list of additional resources for further information. The appendices offer sample policies, guidance notes, role descriptions, and codes of conduct for football organisations that are important to be aware of. These include materials on dealing with concerns about child abuse, safe recruitment procedures, risk assessment, supervision of children, planning tournaments and trips, communication protocols, recognising and responding to abuse, and codes of conduct for children, parents, and guardians.

The next document, The FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding Essentials course, is designed for anyone interested or involved in football and provides a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding principles. The course, which can be completed in approximately 90 minutes, covers various topics including the definition and importance of safeguarding in football, identifying risks, and responding to safeguarding concerns. It emphasises the need for a collective effort to make football safer for all participants and provides practical guidance on managing risks and establishing codes of conduct. The course also addresses how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns effectively, highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment for all individuals involved in football. Working through and completing the course will give exam candidates a clearer understanding of what FIFA expects of individuals in their behaviour around minors and will help to answer relevant questions in the exam.

Key Points to Note

Please note that the page numbers in brackets are relevant to the Study Materials PDF rather than the specific document’s corresponding page. 

1. The Five Principles (pp425-430): The five principles guiding safeguarding efforts in football are as follows: Principle 1 emphasises prioritising the best interests of children, ensuring their safeguarding contributes to their enjoyment and performance in the sport, while Principle 2 commits to respecting and promoting children’s rights, including their right to participate in football free from abuse and exploitation, with their voices being heard and valued in all decisions concerning them. Principle 3 mandates applying safeguarding principles without discrimination based on various factors, including race, gender, disability, or other status. Principle 4 underscores that safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone involved in football, irrespective of nationality or role, emphasising the duty to protect children when in their care. Finally, Principle 5 highlights the necessity of defining roles and responsibilities within football organisations, ensuring prompt reporting and handling of concerns in accordance with established procedures and legal requirements, always prioritising the best interests of the child.
2. The Five Steps Towards Safeguarding Children in Football (pp432-450): The five steps towards safeguarding children in football entail firstly assessing the involvement of children in the game and identifying existing safeguards, followed by the establishment and clear definition of a safeguarding policy tailored to the organisation’s context and needs. Subsequently, comprehensive procedures and guidelines are developed to effectively implement the safeguarding policy, alongside prioritising communication and education initiatives to raise awareness and ensure understanding of safeguarding principles among all stakeholders involved in football. Finally, a robust monitoring, evaluation, and review system is implemented to continuously assess the effectiveness of policies, procedures, and guidelines, making necessary adjustments to maintain a safe environment for children in football. 
3. Dealing with Poor Practice/Suspected Abuse (p467): This section was examined last year and explains that if you have a concern about a child or about the behaviour of an individual towards a child involved in the association’s programs, it should be reported immediately to the safeguarding officer. The safeguarding officer will facilitate referral to statutory authorities or local agencies that can provide assistance. In the absence of the safeguarding officer, the concern should be reported directly to statutory authorities or local agencies. Possible outcomes of reporting concerns include child protection investigations by social services and/or the police, provision of care and support to the child by local organisations or NGOs, criminal proceedings, or internal investigations if criminal or statutory investigation thresholds are not met. Internal MA reviews may result in various outcomes such as no case to answer, advice and warning for future conduct, the requirement for support and safeguarding training, or suspension. It is essential to report concerns promptly, within 24 hours, to ensure the safety and well-being of the child involved.

Practice Question

Answer at the bottom of the blog.

According to the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials Course, should all safeguarding concerns be responded to?

1. No, only criminal concerns
2. Yes, every one
3. No, only football-related concerns raised with an urgent priority
4. No, only concerns for child safety/welfare

Conclusion

In conclusion, the FIFA Child Safeguarding Toolkit for Member Associations and the FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding Essentials course are indispensable resources for anyone involved or interested in football, especially aspiring football agents preparing for the FIFA Football Agent Exam. These documents provide comprehensive guidance on safeguarding principles and procedures, emphasising the paramount importance of prioritising the well-being of children in football environments. The five principles outlined in the toolkit underscore the commitment to promoting children’s rights, preventing discrimination, and ensuring collective responsibility for safeguarding. Additionally, the five steps towards safeguarding children in football offer a structured approach for football organisations to assess risks, develop policies, implement procedures, and monitor effectiveness. Understanding these principles and steps, along with practical guidance on reporting concerns and responding to abuse, is crucial for agents to demonstrate ethical responsibility and awareness of child welfare issues in the football industry. By familiarising themselves with these resources and adhering to the principles and procedures outlined within, aspiring football agents can contribute to creating safer and more inclusive football environments for children worldwide.

Don’t forget, as well as our free resources available below and new additions weekly until the exam, if you want to take your preparation one step further, our next 8-hour comprehensive online How to Pass the FIFA Agent Exam Course with Dr Erkut Sogut and top sports lawyer, Daniel Geey, is taking place on 20th April 2024 and is open for registration through the link! 

The Sports Agent Academy FREE Resources List

• How to Pass the FIFA Agent Exam Youtube Playlist
• The Ultimate Guide to the FIFA Study Materials
• A-Z Key Definitions Guide
• The Top 5 Essential Topics
• Top 10 Best Tips (English)
• Mock Exam 1
• Mock Exam 2
• Mock Exam 3
• Mock Exam 4
• Mock Exam 5
• Top 10 Best Tips (Spanish Translation)
• Top 10 Best Tips (French Translation)
• Top 10 Best Tips (Italian Translation)
• Top 10 Best Tips (Turkish Translation)
• Understanding Training Compensation and the Solidarity Mechanism
• Understanding the Football Tribunal
• FIFA Study Materials

Practice Question Answer

The correct option is answer B. This is an example where although it is not explicitly stated within the FIFA Study Materials, it is common sense that any danger to minors should be reported!