Suffolk FA takes the Welfare of Children in grassroots football very seriously. They have in place Club Welfare Officers within every club with a youth football team. They are all volunteers and give up their time to ensure the safety of children in football and they should be applauded for that.
The Club Welfare Officer ensures that their club are aware of its responsibility to youth, to help them develop "best practice" processes. They help their club understand their "Duty of care" to children and young persons. They ensure that volunteers within the club who have regular contact with children are CRB checked and where necessary do a Safeguarding Children's Workshop. The Club Welfare Officer helps their club deal with "poor practice issues" They assist with reporting "Concerns" over Child Welfare issues.
Every youth league has a Youth League Welfare Officer their role is to work with the Club Welfare Officers and County FA Welfare Officers to help clubs understand their responsibilities in youth football. They promote the respect programme and help develop "Best practice" processes.
The County FA Welfare Officer provides backup for the Club Welfare Officers and Youth League Welfare Officers. They give Club Welfare Officers support and guidance with regards to the Safeguarding of Children, Charter Standard Clubs, and the Respect Campaign.
They provide dates for Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Workshops and they provide updates to clubs of Safeguarding Issues on County FA websites and via letter and email.
The County FA Welfare Officer liaises with Youth League Welfare Officers; they arrange Club Welfare Officer networking evenings to share updates and issues. The County Welfare Officer also oversees the Youth Leagues in terms of Respect and poor practice issues. They oversee the compliance with CRB checks and ensure that each Youth Football Club appoints a Club Welfare Officer.
The County Welfare Officer gives advice on "Poor practice" issues and deals with "Concerns" inline with FA policy and procedures. They share best practice procedures and advise on pre season welcome sessions for parents and players.
"Lets make football safe not sorry."
The FA's Holding Statement 2009
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) (SVGA), was drafted following the death of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman and aims to prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. This Act will have an impact on football for Under 18s and The FA has worked hard to
ensure the voice of football has been heard and understood by Government.
There is an increasing level of awareness about this Act and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) created by it. There is also natural anxiety. The FA takes its responsibilities as a National Governing Body seriously and will provide Counties, Leagues and Clubs with a systematic approach to the requirements of the Act.
Government guidance for sport is expected in July
2009 and The FA will provide guidance notes, FAQs and training after this date. The FA is aware that people are anxious about the cost of the new scheme. The Government will not be charging volunteers to join the new scheme.
As at present, The FA will need to levy an administration charge (currently £12 for the CRB). The FA will aim to keep this charge as low as possible. The FA is aware there is a lot of information in the public domain which is being misinterpreted at times. Therefore, follow the guidance in this statement please rather using information from other sources.
You will not fall foul of the Act by doing so and waiting for further FA information.
Season 2009 – 2010
Most of the Act does not affect children’s football until July 2010, so for the season 2009 / 2010 football must:
• Continue with the current CRB process;
• Ensure new starters working with U18s are CRB checked
immediately;
• Ensure everyone helping in U18 football who does not yet have a CRB check has a check as soon as possible;
• Follow FA guidance on reporting concerns. The FA will then report relevant and significant concerns to the new Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Leagues and Clubs will receive more information from The FA, telling them what they need to do for the season 2010 / 2011, later this year.
In addition, grassroots football clubs, with youth sections, must:
• Ensure they have a Club Welfare Officer in place who has an FA CRB check and has completed Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer training;
• Ensure Club Welfare Officers are familiar with The FA’s Online
Safeguarding Children Service - this is The FA’s tool for ensuring Club Welfare Officers can see who has been CRB checked. The system also allows Club Welfare Officers to see who has completed their Safeguarding Children training.
Go to www.TheFA.com/footballsafe for access to the Online Safeguarding Children Service. If you need help with accessing this site contact Raffi Coverdale who will be pleased to help.
Contacts for further information If you are unsure who needs a CRB check please contact Raffi Coverdale, Premier League CSO or Football League CPO or ring The FA
CRB unit on 0845 210 8080.