Club Welfare Officer

The Football Association and the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA hold a clear standpoint that the welfare of children and young people in football is paramount. All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. In dealing with any suspicions or allegations of abuse these will be taken seriously and responded to accordingly. The appointment of a Welfare Officer at every youth club means that every club has an individual who has a responsibility to ensure that the club consistently fulfils their duty for Child and Young Persons Welfare. Whilst it is the moral and legal duty of all adults involved child or youth football to safeguard and protect those involved, a Welfare Officer takes on the additional responsibility to act upon any concerns and to ensure that everyone involved at the club is aware of their responsibilities.

The Club Welfare Officer will act as a point of contact for all club members (staff, parents, children, volunteers, spectators) who may have concerns about child abuse and/or poor practice, dealing with these in a mature and confidential manner. The Club Welfare Officer will promote best practice throughout the club and play a key role in dealing with any concerns in line with the club’s own disciplinary process. Matters that are of a more concerning nature are to be passed on to the County Welfare Officer.

The Leicestershire and Rutland Football Association recommend to clubs that in selecting an individual for the role of Club Welfare Officer they should be appointing someone who:

• Always puts children’s welfare first
• Is a good communicator and has a calm and empathic approach
• Has a common-sense attitude
• Is willing to learn and seek advice
• Is over the age of 18
• Is willing to update skills and knowledge
• Has a commitment to treat all children as individuals and with equal concern
• Has experience working with children

In order to become fully qualified in the role of Club Welfare Officer there are three key steps:

1. Have an accepted Enhanced CRB Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit – In order to affiliate for this season every Club Welfare Officer needs to have completed one of these or have one currently in progress. If you are still to complete one please do so either through contacting the County FA or via The FA CRB Unit (www.TheFA.com/CRB)
2. Complete The FA’s Safeguarding Children Workshop – This is a three hour workshop exploring some of the key issues relating to poor practice and safeguarding children. Including the exploration of what is meant by poor and best practice, and how to recognise concerns about the welfare of children and young people and what to do if you have concerns. This workshop also examines the emotive nature this subject has and how such feelings can be managed in an effective manner to ensure that clear and rational decisions are made, and not ones based on emotions at the time. *This workshop can be taken as a stand alone course or as part of the Level 1 & 2 Coaching Courses

Upcoming Courses: Thursday 21st August 2008, Thursday 16th October 2008, Thursday 12th February 2009, Thursday 4th June 2009, Thursday 13th August 2009. Please see the Coach Education section of www.leicestershirefa.com for further details

3. Complete The FA’s Welfare Officer Workshop – This is to be completed after a Safeguarding Children Workshop and is designed to give a more detailed insight into the role of a Welfare Officer, providing essential knowledge and skills, helping to develop the confidence required to deal with child protection issues at local level such as bullying and poor practice. This workshop also examines the relationship with the County Football Association and local statutory agencies such as the Police and Children’s Social Care Services.
Upcoming Courses: Tuesday 9th September 2008, Tuesday 10th February 2009. Please see the Coach Education section of www.leicestershirefa.com for further details

The Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association are committed towards achieving a standard where ALL Club Welfare Officers across the county have completed all three of the above.

Once in role, a Club Welfare Officer will be expected to:

• Know who the County Welfare Officer is and how they can be contacted
• Refer any club child protection or poor practice concerns to the County Welfare Officer
• Seek advice from The FA/NSPCC Helpline if the County Welfare Officer is unavailable or in circumstances of child protection urgency
• Seek advice from the Local Authority Children’s Social Care Services or the Police in an emergency
• Encourage the club to discuss and implement The FA’s Child Protection Policy
• Encourage the club to utilize The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines on recruiting volunteers and always requesting and following up on references
• Encourage the club to discuss and implement The FA’s Child Protection and Best Practice Guidelines on the use of images and organizing travel, trips and tournaments
• Advocate that the CRB Disclosure be used as part of the club’s safeguarding initiatives and encourage the club to make use of The FA CRB Unit
• Support the club in identifying those who require a CRB Disclosure
• Promote, support and encourage the benefits of the child protection and best practice education and awareness programme

The County Welfare Officer will endeavour to maintain regular contact with the Club Welfare Officers across the county in order to continue to support them in what is an important and challenging role. Further information and support can be found at www.thefa.com/goal. Any other questions or queries relating to the role of Club Welfare Officer can be directed to the County Welfare Officer, Tim Siggs either by email at tim.siggs@leicestershirefa.com or by contacting 0116 284 5936.