How to include a child with additional needs in your team

How do you include a child with additional needs in your grassroots team? Start with a conversation, not a plan. The FA's own safeguarding guidance puts it simply: "Every child is different, and the experts are the young player and their parents or carers." Ask them what works, make small changes to your sessions, and keep the same safeguards you would for any player. You do not need to be a specialist to get this right.

Start with a chat with the family

Before the first session, or as soon as you can, sit down with the player and their parents or carers. The FA guidance note Including and Safeguarding Deaf and Disabled Children/Young People suggests the coach and club welfare officer meet the family together and write an action plan where there are health needs. Useful questions to ask:

• How does your child like to communicate, and what words do they use about themselves?

• Do they need regular breaks, drinks or time limits?

• Are there sounds, crowds or activities that make things harder?

• What helps when they get upset or overwhelmed?

Agree a time to review how it is going. The FA notes it is never too late to seek advice or change your approach. It is also fine to ask a parent to stay at training until you both feel confident.

Adapt your session with STEP

England Football's STEP framework is a simple way to make one session work for everyone. STEP stands for Space, Task, Equipment and Players:

• Space: make the area bigger or smaller, or run two or three pitches at different levels.

• Task: keep the same focus but change the rules, conditions or time, or let players choose from a few options.

• Equipment: add more balls, try a different size ball, change the goals, or use cones and spots to mark zones.

• Players: use overloads and underloads so every player gets success.

Small tweaks work best. The FA guidance also mentions more frequent substitutions, time out and extra recovery between practices.

Make communication visual

The FA guidance reminds coaches that "behaviour is a form of communication" and that all children can share their preferences if asked in the right way. Keep instructions short, show rather than tell, and use the same routine each week. A simple visual timetable on a whiteboard (warm up, practice, game, drinks) can take a lot of worry out of a session. Ask the family whether their child uses Makaton, BSL or picture cards, and learn a few key signs.

Keep safeguarding front of mind

The FA is clear that deaf and disabled children need the same safeguards as any other child, and may be more vulnerable. Think about whether you need extra adults, and make sure the player knows who they can talk to if they are worried. If you have a concern, the reporting route is the same as for any child: your club welfare officer, your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, or the FA at Safeguarding@TheFA.com. If a child is in immediate danger, call the police.

Get free support for your club

You do not have to work this out alone. England Football runs Disability Training for Clubs: Journey to Inclusion, with free local face-to-face workshops and an online toolkit to help clubs plan their next steps. Your County FA can also advise on the FA Coaching Disabled Footballers course and what reasonable adjustments look like for a club your size.

Quick answers

Do I need a special qualification to coach a child with additional needs?

No. Talk to the family, adapt your sessions and follow normal safeguarding. Courses such as FA Coaching Disabled Footballers can build your confidence, but they are not a requirement to welcome a player.

Can a parent stay at training?

Yes. The FA's guidance says it is fine to ask parents or carers to stay at training or games until you feel confident.

Who do I ask for advice?

Start with your club welfare officer, then your County FA, who can advise on adjustments and local disability football options.

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