- annually inform clubs of their current status in relation to meeting the FA Charter Standard criteria
- support clubs in tracking the validity of their voluntary workforce in relation to coach education and welfare
- allow clubs to identify their workforce/coach education requirements for the season
- reduce the number of instances when, after three years, clubs cannot meet the criteria and have to lose their accreditation and re-write a whole new application form
- provide greater communication and support for clubs from their County FA
- provide clubs with online tools through 'Member Services'
- provide consistent benefits annually to each club who completes the Health Check
It is recognised that moving to an Annual Health Check is significantly different to the existing process but it has been designed using examples of good practice that both the FA Charter Standard Clubs and County FAs have adopted since the introduction of the programme in 2001.
It has been designed using consultation groups of FA Charter Standard Clubs and the County FA workforce.
The Health Check is an annual form that each club has to complete and return to its parent County FA showing how it adheres to the FA Charter Standard criteria and plans to continue to meet the criteria during that season. It will allow clubs to align coaches to their teams, show when their awards expire, identify the volunteer workforce within the club, access the welfare status of individuals within the club and allow the use of Member Services to assist club officials in administrating their club.
Clubs are now able to download their forms via Member Services and the Birmingham County FA have started to send hard copies of the form to all clubs. A set of guidance notes has also been produced by The FA and this will be distributed to all club secretaries shortly.
Club Guidance Notes – The Annual Health Check Guidance Notes will be circulated via The FA to the Club Secretaries. and will show different forms dependant on the level of FA Charter Standard accreditation. The forms contain information held on the Club Administration System about the club and questions relating to the criteria specific for that level of accreditation.
For further information, please see the Charter Standard Annual Health Check presentation in 'Related Documents' on the right-hand side of this page.
In addition to the guidance notes and presentation, support will be given to clubs on a one-to-one basis upon request. This will allow clubs to go through the Health Check Form in a step-by-step process with County FA support.