The FA consider that the safety of children and vulnerable adults in football to be of paramount importance and as a consequence, all of the County FA’s are appointing County Welfare Officer’s to take this forward.
As County Welfare Officer, I will be working alongside my colleagues Durham County FA to provide all Clubs with advice and support on issues relating to the welfare and safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
At Durham County FA we will be striving to engage every member of the County FA, to ensure that any football activity which involves children or vulnerable adults, is protected by a robust system which ensures both the safety of those involved, as well as those who are responsible for that activity.
Because of this, the FA requires all youth/junior clubs to have a Club Welfare Officer (CWO). The CWO will :-
• be FA CRB checked
• complete a three hour Safeguarding Children training course, provided by Durham County FA
• complete a more detailed Welfare Officer workshop, provided by Durham County FA
Similarly, Youth League Welfare Officer’s will need to be identified and be subject to the same process as Club Welfare Officer’s.
As the issue of safeguarding is so high on the FA’s priority list, having named CWO’s and YLWO’s in place is now a condition of Affiliation to Durham County FA for the new season 2008-9, and the relevant Officer(s) must have at least completed an FA Enhanced CRB check and be committed to attending both the three hour Safeguarding Children Workshop and Welfare Officer Workshop during the season, where necessary.
It is therefore vitally important that all Clubs and Durham County FA, work together on the Safeguarding issue. Saying that, it is already clear across the Durham County FA region that Clubs are taking this issue seriously and we will build upon this, throughout 2008, to provide all Clubs with the necessary advice and support to be successful in our shared commitment to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in the game.
During 2008, once Durham County FA have an updated picture of ‘where we are at’ with CWO’s, YLWO’s and their CRB and training needs, we will roll-out a programme of work/courses to meet that need.
Clubs have recently been contacted to start this ‘updating’ process.
When we think about how many take part in football across our region and how much enjoyment we all get in either playing, officiating or spectating, the move to safeguard children and vulnerable adults can be seen as a means of helping ensure we retain a positive and clear regard for everyone involved with Durham County FA.
For advice and support on safeguarding matters please contact Richard Hughes, County Welfare Officer or John Topping, Company Secretary on 0191 3872929
Richard.hughes@durhamfa.com or john.topping@durhamfa.com