Not everyone in football needs to have a CRB check. The law requires that The FA ensures that we do not allow those who are banned from working with children to be involved in youth football. The CRB check is how The FA identifies people who are banned. It also allows The FA to make responsible recruitment decisions about whether people have significant histories that are a potential risk to children. If they do The FA can prevent them from being involved in youth football.
Those who are working directly with children and young people in football need to have an 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 do need to have an FA CRB check.
The FA charge is £12 for volunteers. This covers all the administration, advice, guidance and any actions needed as a result of the Disclosure. For those taking an income from the game the CRB charges an additional fee of £36. This money goes directly to the Home Office. This means if you are taking an income from the game the cost is a total of £48.
The FA is very fair and will only consider information that may have an impact on the safety of children. Old and juvenile offences are not viewed as seriously as recent offences. Minor and financial crimes are usually disregarded. Recent assaults, violence with prison sentences, sexual crimes and drug usage and supply are taken much more seriously. Every Disclosure is assessed on its own merits. To speak to someone in confidence about your history telephone 0800 085 0506 you can also email crb@TheFA.com with your query.
For further information:
• For more about the CRB process visit www.crb.gov.uk or call general enquiries on 0870 90 90 811
• To find out more about the law and ex offenders visit www.nacro.org.uk
• To email an enquiry contact crb@TheFA.com or to speak with someone at The FA CRB Unit ring 0800 085 0506
• Contact your County Welfare Officer Tim Siggs, on 0116 2845935 or email tim.siggs@leicestershirefa.com
How to obtain an Enhanced CRB check
If you are part of a club with children's teams (under the age of 18) then you can go through the process of completing a CRB by contacting your club welfare officer.
If you are a referee, please contact the RDO Matt Hurst on matt.hurst@leicestershirefa.com.
If you are not attached to a club, you can contact the County Welfare Officer Tim Siggs, on 0116 2845935 or email tim.siggs@leicestershirefa.com
Information for welfare officers
Club welfare officers are able to verify and carry out CRBs for club members. To do this, you must be the registered club welfare officer and will need to contact The FA CRB Unit on 0845 210 8080 and request the relevant pack to be able to carry out CRBs. For further guidance please see the downloads section on the right of this page.
Checking your clubs CRBs online
Club welfare officers now have the ability to track and manage the CRBs for all club officials. To register for this please click the link for Safeguarding Online. To register you will need your FAN (Football Administration Number) which you can retrieve by clicking the link on the right. You will also need Club ID and Affiliation number which you can obtain from your club secretary. If you have any problems please contact tim.siggs@leicestershirefa.com.
*The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (SGVA, 2006)*
You may be aware that there is new legislation that is due to come into law that will affect the way football is provided for young people. The FA is working hard to ensure that football has a say in how the new regulations will be implemented. Whilst there are still a number of unknowns as to how this will impact football The FA has issued a holding statement to clarify the current situation. You can download this from the list of documents on the right. It is important that everyone involved in children's football takes the time to familiarise themselves with these changes.