Professor Al Aynsley-Green, who was speaking at The FA’s Moving Football Forward conference at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, said that The FA’s work covered many areas of deep concern to him, and he applauded the lead taken by The FA and the leadership they have shown.

His purpose as ‘the voice for children,’ is to represent children and young people’s perspective in life. He issued a poignant reminder that one of the constant messages he hears from children is a compelling plea for bullying to be stopped.

Speaking to an audience of 300, he highlighted work on bullying, disability, adults, social inclusion and opportunity. However Professor Aynsley-Green also called on The FA to strive for even higher standards of behaviour from high-profile professionals, as their actions are copied in playgrounds and parks across the country.

The conference also heard from Jim Gamble, the Deputy Director General of the National Crime Squad. He launched the partnership with The FA to promote internet safety through the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), an international coalition that is designed to clamp down on child abuse on the web through improved reporting and monitoring.

The VGT logo appears on TheFA.com, and this facility is an instant doorway to help for anyone who suspects that a child may be at risk from abuse via the internet. The aim is child safety both on and offline.

Jim impressed upon the audience how police operations had already identified sex offenders seeking to access youngsters through their association with football via the internet.

“This partnership is a crucial step to create increased awareness of the dangers of internet abuse and to present a presence which will help to reduce this threat in football.

"Every child who uses the internet is only one click away from getting immediate help and guidance if they have any concerns,” he said.

Other highlights of the conference included reflections on the Independent Football Commission’s (IFC) report on child protection in football, by senior consultant, Jenny Myers, of the NSPCC.

A film presented by Kevin Wells – the father of murdered Soham schoolgirl Holly – detailed safeguarding developments in Cambridgeshire, while there was a passionate call for others to follow the county’s lead from Gordon Jeyes, the Deputy Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Gordon said: “I strongly endorse the good practice in Cambridgeshire, led by the local FA, who, sharing good practice and key information, established a sports sub-group of the Safeguarding Board.

“In particular, I applaud the common sense approach taken in appointing Club Welfare Officers who will help people understand what safeguarding means for their local football club.”

The conference benefited greatly from the inspired involvement of children from the Stagecoach School near Coventry, who took over the microphone, saying: “It’s about time you heard from the people who really matter - that’s us!”

The group then proceeded to ask the panel, and conference presenter, Ray Stubbs, a number of challenging questions.

For the second year running, young people from the Warrington Youth Group were involved with one of the workshops, continuing their long-term work with The FA on a project aimed at empowering youngsters.

Jo Thomas, a Senior Social Worker and FA Child Protection Officer and Tutor from the Isle of Man said that she was most impressed by the workshop and conference as a whole.

“It was very informative indeed, and the young people were very enthusiastic. They are obviously participating fully in the running of their club.”

England captain David Beckham was also featured in a film, completing both his Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check through The FA CRB Unit and The FA’s child protection and best practice guide.

Simon Johnson, The FA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, closed the conference saying Beckham’s example was a high profile endorsement of The FA’s work, which he hoped others would follow.

He confirmed that the football authorities will be working together through an all agency review group, to review the recommendations made in the IFC report on child protection.

“When we work together we are so much stronger and can therefore play our role in safeguarding so much more effectively,” said Johnson.

Simon also promised a new long-term plan for safeguarding in football, which would set out what needed to be done within clear but realistic time-frames, without putting too many demands on football’s volunteers.