IOW Divisional FA - Safeguarding
If the Club has registered or is likely to register players aged 16/17, the CWO must hold an FA DBS check and EITHER FA Safeguarding Children Course OR the new Player Welfare Course.
If the Club will not have players aged 16/17, the CWO does not require an FA DBS Check
CLUB WELFARE OFFICERS for the 24/25 Season
All Eligible Club Welfare Officers (Adult Teams) will need an FA DBS check at the point of affiliation All Club Welfare Officers (Adult Teams) will need to hold in-date Player Welfare Course qualification at the point of affiliation.
The Safeguarding Children course qualification is permitted until expiry but at the point of recertification the CWO should complete the Player Welfare Course
Open Age Team Officials - Who needs a DBS?
In any team where there are, or are likely to be, 16 or 17 year old players, all coaches/assistant coaches, managers/assistant managers, first aiders and physios should hold an in-date accepted DBS check showing on the Whole Game System – this will be a compliance requirement from 2024/25
• EVEN IF THERE IS ONLY ONE 16/17 YEAR OLD PLAYER IN THE SQUAD
• Players in Open-Age team DO NOT need a DBS as they do not have a regulated role in football
• Any coach that has an FA DBS showing as accepted on WGS from a role in youth football will not need a second DBS check
How does a club apply for a DBS check?
• Youth football clubs have a Club Welfare Officer – you could ask any affiliated youth CWO to oversee safeguarding in your adult team. A suitably qualified CWO could then process DBS checks for any relevant individuals
• The club can register with FA Checks by emailing FAChecks@thefa.com and nominate a club official as DBS verifier. The FA Checks team will send information and guidance about the process
• For single team clubs where only 1 manager/coach will require a DBS check, Hampshire FA can assist individuals who require/meet eligibility for a Check – contact safeguarding@hampshirefa.com League officials are welcome to join our list of verifiers to assist in processing of DBS checks
Open Age Team Officials – Safeguarding qualifications
All Open Age Team Officials (coaches, assistant coaches, managers, physios, first aiders) with under 18 players are required to have in date safeguarding training – the new Player Welfare Course – at the point of affiliation from 2024/25 season onwards.
The Safeguarding Children course (currently available, £30) is permitted until expiry but at the point of recertification the team official should complete the Player Welfare Course.
This will be a compliance requirement from 2024/25
What must Open Age Clubs with Under 18 players do?
1. Appoint a Club Welfare Officer (Adult Teams) who holds:
• In date FA DBS check • Complete Safeguarding Children online course
2. Adopt and implement the FA Club Safeguarding Children Policy Template see section 1.4B
3. Identify coaches/teams who have or are likely to have 16/17 year old players – make sure they are listed on the WGS and have an in-date FA accepted DBS check 4. Decide who is best to act as a DBS verifier for the club:
Link up with a youth club CWO who can act as verifier OR register the Open-Age club with FAchecks@thefa.com and nominate a club official as verifier