Safeguarding in Herefordshire
The Herefordshire FA take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and are committed to protecting children and young people who participate in grassroots football from harm. The FA offer a range of safeguarding services and training to help create a safe and enjoyable football experience for everyone. We ensure safeguarding requirements are met as a requirement of club affiliation and we support clubs to maintain these standards. This includes making unannounced safeguarding visits to clubs.
Here are details of the current safeguarding support services we offer:
safeguarding courses and workshops
FA Safeguarding Children Course
FA Safeguarding Children - Renew Online
FA Safeguarding for committee members
Here are details of the current safeguarding support services we offer:
Obtaining a Criminal Record Check. (DBS)
Formerly CRC Check, now known as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Coaches, volunteers, club officials and referees who are regularly in contact with children require an enhanced criminal record check. If you are unsure whether you need a DBS, or if you are unsure if someone else within your club requires a DBS, please contact the County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) (contact details below).
Obtaining a DBS is a simple process and can be completed online using the guidance notes below. For assistance please contact Info@HerefordshireFA.com / 01432 342179
Herefordshire FA CRC Guidance Notes
How we handle reported concerns
All reported concerns are handled in line with the FA's Safeguarding Children Policy. We will support anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concern that a colleague is, or maybe abusing a child or young person. Confidentiality and child safety is paramount.
Where appropriate, once a concern is raised the County Welfare Officer will:
- Give advice to the CWO/person making the report
- Notify appropriate organisations (police, social services, nspcc)
- Complete an initial assessment on the alleged perpetrator and take any action to safeguard children, pending further police and Children's Social Care inquiries
- Decide whether the nature of the concerns need to be dealt with by the FA Disciplinary commission
- Cases of poor practice will be investigated by the CFA and subject to CFA disciplinary procedures
- Cases of child abuse (having been dealt with by the statutory agencies) will be investigated by the FA's Safeguarding team.
Support for Welfare Officers
Club and league welfare officers are a vital part of the football workforce and Herefordshire FA safeguarding network. We want to ensure these officers have all the support and help available to them that they require. If you have any concerns, questions, queries or problems please contact the County Welfare Officer who will be on hand to help.If you need to report any concerns you may have about the behaviour of an adult towards a child, young person or adult at risk please complete the form below. You can also use this form to report any poor practice you have witnessed at clubs or footballing events. If there is a child, young person or adult at risk in immediate risk of harm or danger, please ring the police on 999 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 and contact our Designated Safeguarding Officer on 07555754314.
Yes, please speak to your club welfare officer who will be able to assist.
Coaches and referees working with U18s all require a CRC and other club volunteers and officials may also require one. If your role. or someone elses role within the club involves regular interaction with children, young people or vulnerable adults then they will require an FA CRC.
Eligibility is governed by legislation and government guidance. In brief this means, anyone aged 16 years or over who undertakes any unsupervised roles with children and young people under the age of 18.
These activities include managing, training, coaching and supervising as well as giving advice or guidance on well-being, caring for children or driving a vehicle solely for children on behalf of a club or organisation. In youth football all coaches and managers must hold a current, FA accepted check. This is part of the affiliation criteria for youth football.
Anyone undertaking these activities in football MUST obtain a DBS Enhanced Criminal Record with Children’s Barred List Check. Role specific guidance for clubs, coaches referees and FA licensed tutors is hosted below along with the CRC eligibility criteria guidance document.
You may have more than one role in football but you only need one check to cover all your roles in affiliated grassroots football. Please note that this may be different if seeking work with professional clubs.
If you are in any doubt please contact the County Welfare Officer for clarification
A CRC costs just £10 for volunteers and £54 for paid members of the football workforce. Once your CRC has been approved and verified it will last for 3 years
Once your application has been received, the DBS will send you a copy of your enhanced certificate. You do not need to show it to anyone else, once your CRC has been approved the FA records will indicate this and your club/league can see this information online without seeing your certificate.
Get In Touch
Designated Safeguarding Officer
P: 01432 342179 / 07555 754314
E:
safeguarding@HerefordshireFA.com
