FA OPEN AGE SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS - 2024/25 SEASON

For the 2024/25 season, there will be mandatory changes to the safeguarding affiliation requirements for Open-Age Football.

The Club Welfare Officer (Adult Teams) and all team officials (excluding the Team Secretary) will now be required to undertake the Player Welfare in Open-Age Football Course in order to affiliate.

This is a FREE, 45-minute eLearning course covering general welfare concerns which are relevant across the whole Open-Age game as well as more specific safeguarding considerations, including those related to U18s within the Open-Age football. 

This course has been created to empower those working in Open-Age Football and enhance understanding, so that together we can continue to support those involved and create positive environments.

You can access the course via the link below:



FA FREE eLEARNNG COURSE - 2024/25 SEASON

WESSEX LEAGUE SAFEGUARDING AND COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

In compliance with FA Safeguarding requirements, the Wessex League has compiled a set of procedures to ensure the highest standards are achieved and maintained at all times, by Wessex League member clubs.

The FA requirements apply to any open age team who have 16/17 year old players, or are likely to sign 16/17 year old players.

WHAT MUST WESSEX LEAGUE CLUBS DO?

1.  Adopt and implement the FA Clubs Safeguarding Children Policy Template see Section 1.4B

2. Identify coaches/teams who have or are likely to have 16/17 year old players – make sure they are listed on the FA WGS and have an in-date FA accepted DBS check.

3.  Decide who is best to act as a DBS verifier for the club.

Link up with a youth club CWO who can act as a verifier OR register the Open-Age club with FAchecks@thefa.com and nominate a club official as a verifier.

WESSEX LEAGUE CLUBS WILL NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:

1.  Appoint a Club Welfare Officer (Adult Teams) – this person will need the following:

·        In date FA DBS check.

·        Complete Safeguarding Children online course.

·        Complete Welfare Officer online course.

·        Complete Safeguarding for Committee member’s course.

The name and contact details of the nominated person should be forwarded to WL Safeguarding Officer Bill Moore – bill.moore15@hotmail.com

2. Encourage all coaches and club officials to complete the free online Safeguarding for All courses.

On successful attainment of the qualifications, copies of certification should be forwarded to WL Safeguarding Officer, Bill Moore – bill.moore15@hotmail.com

WHO NEEDS A DBS?

·        In the event that any WL team is likely to play 16 and 17 year old players, during the course of a season, all coaches/assistant coaches, managers/assistant managers, first aiders and physiotherapists, will require an up to date DBS check showing on the FA Whole Game System.

 This will be a requirement even if there is only one 16/17 year old player in the squad

·        Players who participate in an Open-Age team, DO NOT need a DBS as they have no regulated role in football.

·        Any coach that has an FA DBS showing as accepted on the FA WGS from a role in youth football will not need a second DBS check.

DBS APPLICATION PROCEDURE

·        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 regarding the process.

·        For single team clubs where only 1 manager/coach will require a DBS check, Hampshire FA can be contacted for guidance – safeguarding@hampshirefa.com.

THE ROLE OF THE WL SAFEGUARDING OFFICER

1. Promote safeguarding with all WL registered clubs.

2. Promote the FA’s safeguarding information

3. Ensure safeguarding is a standard item at Wessex League board meetings/ AGM.

4. Monitor data reports showing teams that register players aged 17/18 years old.

5. Support clubs to identify local DBS verifiers.

6. Provide a specific point of contact for safeguarding communications from the county FA in addition to Chairs/Secretaries. 

WESSEX LEAGUE SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION RESOURCES

·         The Wessex League has established a safeguarding section on its website that links www.TheFA.com safeguarding pages and relevant sources.

·        Publications are available on the Wessex League website and media platforms conveying the FA’s ‘Know Your Rights’ leaflet for 16/17 year old players.

HOW TO REPORT CONCERNS

It is not your job to decide whether or not a child or young person is being abused, but it is your responsibility to share your concerns.

Should a situation arise where an individual suspects a child or young person is being abused, the police or emergency services should be contacted forthwith, to ensure the immediate safety of the child.

Recommended procedure:

·        Contact your Club Welfare Officer

·        Contact the DSO/DDSO at Hampshire FA - safeguarding@hampshirefa.com

·        FA Safeguarding team – safeguarding.children@thefa.com

·        NSPCC Helpline - 0808 800 5000

WESSEX LEAGUE PROCEDURE

·        Club secretaries to forward to Bill Moore (bill.moore15@hotmail.com), the names of all personnel (managers, coaches, physios, support staff), who have or are likely to have contact with the WL team.

·        The named persons will need to undertake a DBS check on the FA WGS forthwith.

·        Clubs will be required to keep the WL up to date with any changes in personnel and are advised to include in their selection process of new appointments, confirmation that the candidate has an approved DBS check recorded on the FA WGS, if not they must undertake and receive approval before they commence their new role.

·        The Wessex League will work in conjunction with the HFA safeguarding officers, who will cross reference the named personnel with the FA WGS, in order to monitor the progress and completion of the DBS applications.

·        Wessex League clubs who fail to comply with this process will have sanctions imposed by the Wessex League in line with FA directives.