Should you want any further information or if you have any queries or concerns regarding safeguarding children you can contact Janet by telephone on: on 01582 565111 or by email on: janet.smith@bedfordshirefa.com
Safeguarding Children – Making Football Safe
Safeguarding children is high on The FA's agenda and is a high priority for Bedfordshire FA. The aim is to have someone at every club in the country aware of Child Protection and Best Practice, whether it's a Premiership Academy or a Sunday youth side.
As part of its National Game Strategy 2008-12 The FA is keen to eliminate abuse and poor practice. Safeguarding children is about doing things the right way, doing things properly. It's about allowing children and young people to enjoy the game without fear of abuse of any kind. That means bullying, physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect.
The FA believes that football can have a powerful and positive influence on children and young people. This means that everyone involved in football must take on the responsibility of looking after those children and young people who want to play the game.
In order to support these aims The FA has appointed new County Welfare Officers throughout the country and is working towards developing a network of trained volunteers who will be the Club Welfare Officers (CWO’s).
By affiliation for the 2008-09 season it will be mandatory for all clubs with youth teams to have a named Club Welfare Officer who has completed The FA’s enhanced CRB check and have either an ‘Accepted’ or ‘In Progress’ status. Consequently all clubs with youth teams will only be able to achieve affiliation with Bedfordshire FA if they meet these criteria.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
CRB checks help to create a safer environment and identify those who may be a risk to children and vulnerable adults. They are a way of checking an individual's history to make sure they do not have any convictions that might mean they are not safe to work with children.
What you need to know about Criminal Records Bureau checks
The FA established CRB checks as a step towards safeguarding children in football.
This information will help both those applying for an FA Enhanced CRB check and those authorised to verify any application, before it is further processed.
All people who are working directly with children and young people in football need to have an FA Enhanced CRB check. This means that if you care for, train, supervise or have sole care of children and young people under the age of 18 in football, as part of your normal Club or County duties, you need to have an FA Enhanced CRB check.
Who should have a CRB check?
- Welfare Officers
- Coaches
- Managers
- First Aiders
- Referees
- Club Committee members
- Regular nominated drivers (Drivers acting on behalf of the club)
Future Affiliations
Future Affiliations with Bedfordshire FA will require that the CWO has undergone further training via the FA Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Workshops.
What are they?
These are three hour workshops which aim to encourage a safer environment for everyone where you will be encouraged to discuss some of the most important child protection issues in football. The aim is to explore what appropriate and inappropriate behaviour looks and sounds and feels like. Clear guidance is given on best practice and on what actions should be taken if there are worries about the welfare of a child or young person.
Why are they important?
Football, like any activity with children and young people, can and does attract people who wish to abuse their power over children. Sometimes this is sexual and sometimes it is physical or emotional and may include bullying or racist abuse.
Some people will have been coached or trained or brought up to think that shouting and even hitting children is acceptable. These workshops confirm that bullying and abuse in any form is not acceptable and reiterates that we all have a legal and moral responsibility to be aware of and look out for the children and young people in our care.
How do I get on one?
You can contact Janet smith, County Welfare Officer on 01582 565111 or by email on: janet.smith@bedfordshirefa.com
if you have any queries etc.
Or contact Lesley Farrah on 01582 567716 to book onto a workshop. We have a range of courses running and can direct you to the nearest one.
At present time for Clubs who are affliated to The Chiltern Youth League. The Chiltern Youth League has kindly agreed to fund the cost of a Club Welfare Officer workshop. So. . . .
DON’T DELAY – BOOK TODAY!