As you will no doubt be aware, The FA has affiliation criteria for all Clubs with Youth and Junior teams to have a named Club Welfare Officer.
All Youth Leagues need to have a Youth League Welfare Officer.
The Affiliation process to Sussex County FA will begin from late May 2010. It is therefore essential that all Clubs and Leagues take the opportunity to review your Welfare Officer’s status as they must have the following in place before you attempt to affiliate for the 2010/2011 Season:
(a) An Accepted Enhanced FA CRB (it is best practice to renew your CRB every three years)
(b) Have attended an FA Safeguarding Children Workshop (formally known as Child protection and best practice)
(c) Have attended an FA Welfare Officer Workshop
Your current Welfare Officer should already comply with parts (a) and (b). However, if you have changed your Welfare Officer during the season you will need to check to make sure that they meet the above requirements.
Welfare Officers; if you have yet to attend a Welfare Officer Workshop, please find below a list of all upcoming Welfare Officer Workshops. You must book a place for one of these dates by 30th June 2010. However, we would strongly recommend that you attend the Welfare Officers Workshop at your earliest convenience.
Forthcoming Welfare Officer Workshops:
Tuesday 9th February, 6.30pm – 9.30pm, Lancing Leisure Centre, Lancing
Monday 1st March, 6.30pm – 9.30pm, Oriel High School, Crawley
Tuesday 16th March, 6.30pm – 9.30pm, University of Brighton, Eastbourne
Tuesday 20th April, 7.00pm – 10.00pm, Hassocks FC, Hassocks
Please click on this link to book on a workshop: http://eventspace.thefa.com/sussexfa/participant/s.aspx
Club/Youth League Secretaries; in order to ensure a smooth affiliation process; it is essential for you to discuss with your current Welfare Officer whether they plan to remain with your Club / League for next season.
If they do not plan to stay in the role, it is important that your committee acts now to identify a new Welfare Officer and assess if they meet the above stated requirements.
If they do not have an accepted FA CRB and/or need to attend one or both of the workshops it is imperative that these matters are attended to prior to your club affiliation to Sussex County FA.
Demand for both Safeguarding Children Workshops and Welfare Officer Workshops will increase as we approach the affiliation window, so to guarantee a place on a convenient workshop book a place as soon as possible.
Further information regarding the role of a Club Welfare Officer can be found at: http://thefa.com/TheFA/WhatWeDo/FootballSafe/ClubWelfareOfficers.aspx
In order to help you with this process, please find attached adverts for Clubs / Leagues looking for new Welfare Officers or Assistant Welfare Officers.
If you require any further support or have a query regarding this letter please do not hesitate to contact the County FA Welfare Officer, Catherine Larner on 01903 753547 or Catherine.larner@sussexfa.com