Plan for 2020/21 season
Mark is planning on continuing in this role. However, this does not stop anyone else from putting themselves forward for the role. If more than 1 person is interested, and we are not able to split the role between them, then we will have a vote at the AGM and the person with the most votes will take on the role.

If interested in this role, please email the Chairperson stating the role that you are interested in carrying out

Section
Player Welfare

Role Purpose

Sit on the Management Committee
Take on the role as the club’s Designated Person for Safeguarding and be the main link between the club and the statutory agencies, League and FA Welfare Officers.
Oversee work of other Club Welfare Officers within the club

To be clear about the club’s responsibilities when running activities for children and young people. This involves:

ensuring these responsibilities are well understood by others
working with the League and County FA Welfare Officers
working with Welfare Officers within other sections of the Club
promoting The FA’s Respect Programme and helping to develop best practice processes

To help club personnel understand what their ‘duty of care’ towards children and young people actually means and entails on a day-to-day basis.
In order to carry out your responsibilities you need to follow these five simple steps:

Put in place:

a safeguarding children policy, anti-bullying policy and equality policy
responsible recruitment processes including the taking up of references and submitting FA CRB checks (getting the right people into the game)
The FA Respect Programme codes of conduct

Understand:

what the Respect Programme aims to do
the benefits of implementing the Respect codes
the quick wins to be gained by using The FA’s safeguarding children best practice guidance (e.g. Travel, Trips and Tournaments, Photography guidelines, Anti-bullying Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy Template)
why certain roles require an FA CRB check and how The FA CRB process works
how to refer a concern about the welfare of a child

Communicate with:

club officials about the Respect Programme and its aims
parents/spectators and get them to sign up to the Respect codes
parents and new players by getting involved with running ‘start of season’ welcome sessions for members
coaches and managers about the importance of being consistent role models for their players
the League Welfare Officers – introduce yourself, find out how they can support you and let them know what you are doing to safeguard children in your club
your County FA Welfare Officer if you need help or advice
The FA by taking part in surveys, questionnaires, focus groups as and when asked

Encourage:

parents to complete the Respect education programme
coaches, team managers, first aiders/medics to complete The FA’s Safeguarding Children Workshop
coaches and team managers to listen to their players thoughts, ideas and views
the committee to make use of the Respect Programmes designated spectator area at all games

Monitor:

repeated incidents of poor behaviour and liaise with your committee (and where necessary League Welfare Officers or County FA Welfare Officer)
compliance with FA CRB checks through The FA CRB Unit for those who require one using The FA Safeguarding Online System

What sort of tasks are involved?

Assist the club to fulfil its responsibilities to safeguard children and Vulnerable Adults
Assist the club to implement its Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
Be the first point of contact with the County Welfare Officer.
Implement the club’s reporting and recording procedures.
Maintain contact details for local social services, police and the Area Child Protection Committee.
Promote the club’s codes of conducts within the club.
Ensure confidentiality is maintained.
Promote anti-discriminatory practice. Basic knowledge of and/or familiarity with the pertinent legislation and Government guidance relevant to this role.
Work with and support the various Section Welfare Officers in their roles
Maintain an up to date list of all coaches and volunteers’ qualifications and when they expire either using a locally held database or through Member Services.
Ensure all Club Coaches hold a minimum of FA Level 1 and FA CRB check
Ensure all existing Coaches and appropriate volunteers have valid FA Emergency First Aid and Safeguarding Children qualifications.

How much time will I have to give to the role?
This is dependent on the amount of additional CWOs in role. The role tends to be quiet for long periods but if a serious event occurs, you might need to give up numerous hours over a short period of time.

Other information about the role
To be effective as welfare officer it’s vital that everyone in your club/league knows who you are and how you can be contacted especially the players, parents and coaches. You should sit on the club/league committee and as a club welfare officer you should know your coaches and managers.

Ideally, we would have a team of 2 or 3 people taking on this role. Most of the time, the role does not demand much time, but having colleagues to work alongside when there is something serious to investigate is helpful. There is also the possibility that accusations are made against people involved in your child's team and you feel it inappropriate to be involved so having others who can do this is vital.

Certifications Required

Attend the FA Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Workshops
Have an in-date FA Accepted Enhanced with Children's Barring List Check