Laura Lunt
Club Welfare Officer (Children)
Contact & safeguarding
Keeping football safe.
Every child and adult should feel safe, supported and respected at Bolton Town FC. Use the official Manchester FA resources below for safeguarding guidance and routes for raising a concern.
Club welfare team
Who to speak to
Our Club Welfare Officers are available to listen, advise and help ensure concerns are handled through the correct safeguarding channels.
Andy Wood
Club Welfare Officer (Adults)
Club contact
Email Bolton Town FC
BoltonTownfootballclub@gmail.com
General enquiries and safeguarding support
For a safeguarding concern, please say whether it relates to an adult or a child so it can be directed to the appropriate Club Welfare Officer. This inbox is not monitored 24 hours a day and is not an emergency service.
Raising a concern
What should I do?
Choose the route that best matches the concern. You do not need to be certain that abuse has taken place before asking for advice or sharing a worry.
Call 999
If a child or adult is at immediate risk, contact the emergency services straight away.
Speak to Laura
Laura is Bolton Town FC’s Club Welfare Officer for children. Email the club with “Children’s safeguarding concern” in the subject so it can be directed appropriately.
Email the clubSpeak to Andy
Andy is Bolton Town FC’s Club Welfare Officer for adult teams. Email the club with “Adult safeguarding concern” in the subject so it can be directed appropriately.
Email the clubContact Manchester FA
Use this route if the concern involves a Welfare Officer, committee member, the club itself, or you would prefer not to contact Bolton Town.
Reporting guidanceFor children and young people
Something doesn’t feel right?
If something has happened that makes you feel worried, frightened or uncomfortable, tell an adult you trust. This could be a parent, coach, teacher or one of our Welfare Officers. You will be listened to and taken seriously.
Contact Childline
Call Childline free on 0800 1111
After you contact us
What happens next?
Every concern will be treated seriously and respectfully. The priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of the child or adult involved.
- 01
We listen
A Welfare Officer will listen, clarify the immediate concern and make an appropriate record.
- 02
We act appropriately
Information is shared only with people or organisations who need it to help protect someone. Complete confidentiality cannot be promised.
- 03
We refer when needed
A concern may be passed to Manchester FA, the police, Children’s Services or another appropriate safeguarding organisation.
The FA · Year-round safeguarding
PLAY SAFE AT BOLTON TOWN
Every player deserves to feel safe, supported and heard.
The FA Play Safe campaign
KEEP UP THE CONVO
Small conversations give children opportunities to share how they feel, ask questions and tell us when something is wrong. Play Safe matters at training, on matchdays and throughout the season.
Keep it light
Start with everyday topics and what players enjoy.
Keep it open
Ask open questions. Give children time and space to share.
Keep listening
Take their views seriously. Respond and explain what happens next.
“What did you enjoy today?”
“What could make football better for you?”
“What could make football better for you?”
A VOICE FOR EVERY AGE
Choose an activity that suits your players’ needs and stage of development.
Smile, Help, Play Again
Traffic Lights Check In
Call It Out
Getting in Focus
Matchday Mode
Mystery Captain
Decision Wheel
Manager for the Day
Suggested age groups, based on the FA’s Key Stage resources. Mobile and printable versions available.
Every child communicates differently. Offer ways to share through talking, drawing, pointing or choosing, and give them time.
PLAYERS: YOU CAN SPEAK UP
If something makes you feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe, tell an adult you trust. Speak to your parent or carer, your coach or the club’s child welfare officer.
You deserve to be listened to. If you still need help, keep telling someone until you get support.
Who can I talk to? ↓EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY
Parents and carers
Know your child’s coaches and welfare contact. Check in about their football experience, support players positively and follow the club’s codes of conduct.
Coaches and volunteers
Make time to listen. Keep your support fair, encouraging and inclusive. Explain how players can raise a concern and respond to what they share.
Young referees and spectators
Young referees deserve a safe, supportive environment. Keep the touchline positive, respect decisions and report behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe.
WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE?
You do not need proof or all the answers to raise a safeguarding concern. Contact the club’s child welfare officer through our Contact & Safeguarding page.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Free online course
Safeguarding awareness for parents and carers
Parents and carers have an important role in making football safe and enjoyable. This free one-hour England Football Learning course explains what good safeguarding looks like, signs that may cause concern and how to report them.
OnlineFree1 hourAge 16+
View the course
Report directly to Manchester FA
You can report a safeguarding concern directly to Manchester FA, including if you do not feel comfortable raising it within the club.
Report directly to Manchester FA ↗If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not wait for a response to the contact form.
Policies and guidance
Safeguarding resources
Read Bolton Town FC’s approved policy alongside official Manchester FA safeguarding and welfare guidance.
Bolton Town FC · Approved policy
Safeguarding Children Policy
Our commitments, responsibilities, reporting arrangements and procedures for protecting every child and young person involved with the club.
Open the policy Bolton Town FC · Approved policyAnti-Bullying Policy
How we prevent bullying, support anyone affected and respond fairly to concerns involving children or adults.
Open the policy Guidance hubSafeguarding & welfare
Manchester FA guidance, support and safeguarding information for grassroots football.
Visit Manchester FA Raise a concernReporting concerns
Find the appropriate route to report a safeguarding concern to Manchester FA.
View reporting guidance Children & young peopleSafeguarding children
Information designed to help clubs, coaches and parents keep children safe in football.
View children’s guidanceIndependent support
Other ways to get help
You can contact these organisations directly if you do not want to speak to the club or need specialist advice.
Concerned about a child
NSPCC Helpline
Advice from child-protection specialists. Call 0808 800 5000.
Visit NSPCC Under 18Childline
Free, confidential support for children and young people. Call 0800 1111.
Visit Childline Online safetyCEOP
Report online sexual abuse, grooming or exploitation involving a child or young person.
Report to CEOP Non-emergency crimePolice 101
Call 101 or use the police online contact service when there is no immediate danger.
Contact the police