Kidlington FC – Social Media & Communication Policy

Safeguarding Our Young KFC Greens On and Off the Pitch

Introduction

At Kidlington FC, safeguarding every child and young person in our club is at the heart of everything we do. Modern communication tools help us stay connected as a community, but they also bring risks that must be managed responsibly.
Whether you’re a coach, referee, volunteer, parent, or player, safeguarding is a shared responsibility — not just on matchdays, but every day.
This policy sets out how Kidlington FC expects all communication, social media use, and image sharing to be handled to protect our young Greens.

Communicating with Players
Respecting Boundaries – The Kidlington Way
All communication from Kidlington FC officials to players must go through the parent/guardian listed on the player’s registration.

Coaches and officials must not contact players directly via text, email, or social media.
If a young player messages a coach directly, the reply must include the parent/guardian and remind them that future communication must go through them.

Official Channels Only
Use Kidlington FC’s official email or messaging platforms for all club communication.
Personal phone numbers or private social media accounts must not be used.

Transparency
Group messages are preferred.
Parents/guardians must be included in all communication involving players under 16.

Use of Social Media
Representing the Green Army Responsibly
Social media is a brilliant way for Kidlington FC to celebrate our teams, share updates, and build community spirit — but it must be used safely.

Posting Standards
No offensive, inappropriate, or disrespectful content from officials, players, or parents.

All posts should reflect the values of Kidlington FC: respect, positivity, and community.

Privacy & Security
Club pages and team groups must have secure privacy settings.

They are for football-related communication only — not personal chat

Monitoring
A designated Kidlington FC official will oversee club social media spaces and remove access from anyone behaving inappropriately.

Team Groups
Team WhatsApp/Facebook groups must include parents/guardians only.

No private messaging with young players.

Use of Images
Protecting Our Young Greens
Written parental consent is required before Kidlington FC posts any images of players under 18.

All photos must be appropriate, respectful, and safe.
Parents must not post images of other players without permission from their parents/guardians.

Communicating with U16 & U18 Referees
Supporting Young Officials the Right Way
The same safeguarding rules apply to our young referees.

Under 16 referees: All communication must go through their parent/guardian.
Ages 16–17: Direct communication is allowed but must always copy in the parent/guardian. Contact details must be stored securely and never shared publicly.

Safeguarding Children & Young People
Our Commitment as Kidlington FC
All club officials complete regular FA safeguarding training.

Communications involving young players are monitored to ensure safety.
Young people are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if anything online makes them uncomfortable.

Reporting Concerns
Any inappropriate communication or behaviour must be reported immediately to the Kidlington FC Welfare Officer, who will liaise with the Oxfordshire FA and relevant agencies.

Conclusion
At Kidlington FC, we are proud to create a safe, positive, and supportive environment for every young player wearing the green shirt. By following this policy, we protect our community and uphold the values that make Kidlington FC special.