Safeguarding children is of paramount importance to the Football Association and the Dorset Football Association are committed to implementing those strategies set out by the FA to ensure that each and every child across the county is able to access football and play in a safe and positive environment. For this to happen, the goal of the Dorset County Football Association is to have a highly trained Welfare Officer (WO) at each club in the county who is aware of Safeguarding issues and best practice in football.
We have changed from using the title of Child Protection Officer and replaced it with Welfare Officer as the role is required to promote good practice by our children, parents, spectators, managers, coaches, referees and all club assistants. It is not just about preventing abuse, or reacting to it.
If we do things the right way, and conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner, then our children will be able to enjoy the game without being subjected to abuse of any kind. This includes physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, bullying and neglect.
CLUB WELFARE OFFICER
If your club or League runs teams from Mini Soccer to U18’s, it is now an FA requirement for you to have a NAMED Welfare Officer in place, with an ACCEPTED FA Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. A CRB check from other agencies is insufficient, as it will not be football specific. It MUST be an FA CRB check.
SEASON 2009-2010
In order to affiliate for this season, all clubs and Leagues with youth teams from Mini Soccer to U18’s must have a named Welfare Officer in place who has an ACCEPTED FA CRB check, and who has also completed the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop (formerly known as Child Protection and Best Practice Workshop).
SEASON 2010-2011
In order to affiliate for this season, all clubs and Leagues with youth teams from Mini Soccer to U18’s must have a named Welfare Officer in place, who has an ACCEPTED FA CRB check, and who has completed the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop and the Welfare Officer Workshop.
COURSES
All dates for Safeguarding Children Workshops and Welfare Officer Workshops can be found on our Courses page.
CONTACT DETAILS
Dorset County Welfare Officer Louise Butcher Tel 07903 574700
e-mail Louise.butcher@dorsetfa.com
General Safeguarding Children, CRB, and Equality enquiries please contact 0845 210 8080
e-mail FAChecks@theFA.com for general Safeguarding and CRB issues.
FA/NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000
Deaf users Textphone 0800 056 0566