IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLUBS
Club Welfare Officer Requirements and Affiliation for the 2010/2011 Season - please see letter detailing procedures under 'Related Documents'
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Statement from The FA Equality and Child Protection Department - 11 September 2009
'We will be working with the Vetting and Barring Scheme alongside CRB, to assess the suitability of those working with children and vulnerable adults in football.
With regards to the statements in the media today, the information below clarifies the requirements after 26 July 2010.
Anyone working or volunteering on behalf of a third party organisation for example a football club who has frequent or intensive access to children or vulnerable adults, will have to be registered with the scheme. The FA will guide the implementation process and we have 5 years in which to phase the roll out across football based on a risk assessment approach.
The Vetting and Barring Scheme does not cover personal or family relationships, so parents making informal arrangements to give lifts to children will not have to be vetted.
Changes from 26 July 2010 will be communicated nearer the time when the exact requirements are formalised by the government.'
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Welfare Officer Information Pack
See under 'Related Documents' - Everything a Club Welfare Officer needs to know to carry out their role and the support that Devon FA can offer.
CRB forms - Welfare Officers can download the guidelines for checking applicants' forms from 'Related Documents'
Queries should be directed to Dave Keast at Devon County FA - 01626 325913 dave.keast@devonfa.com
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The FA’s Official Holding Statement
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)(SVGA) was drafted following the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman and aims to help 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 a 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 than using information from other sources.
You will not fall foul of the Act by doing so and by 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 an FA 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. This 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 your County Welfare Officer who will be pleased to help.
Contacts for further information
If you are unsure who needs a CRB check, please contact your local County Welfare Officer, Dave Keast at Devon FA, 01626 325913, or ring The FA CRB unit on 0845 210 8080.
You can download this document under 'Related Documents'