Birmingham County FA is working with The FA as part of its National Game Strategy for 2008-12 and acting on legislation outlined in the Children’s Act (2004). It is asking all of its 650 Girls and Boys clubs who play at U16 level and below to appoint an appropriate individual who will act as a point of contact for all welfare-related issues.
To qualify for the role CWO’s should have a valid FA CRB check or be in the process of obtaining one. Birmingham County FA will then look to offer support and guidance by delivering Safeguarding Children and WOW Workshops.
Paul Milne is Birmingham County FA’s newly appointed Welfare Officer. He is keen to point out that in most cases this new requirement will be easily managed:
“Clubs with qualified Coaches and Referees will know that they are already required to have CRB checks so would qualify as potential Club Welfare Officers,” he said.
“Our many Charter Standard Clubs will have someone in place in this position – we want to make sure they are registered and recognised for the part they play.”
“In the small number of cases where nobody at a club has a valid FA CRB check, I would advise clubs to nominate an individual who can obtain advice on the process from their League Welfare Officer as soon as possible so it doesn’t hold up their affiliation process.”
The FA has also produced a useful guide to appointing a Club Welfare Officer, available to download from this page.
Click here for more information on Football Safe - The FA's Child Protection Programme.
For more details on Child Protection and Welfare issues please contact our County Wellfare Officer, Paul Milne Via e-mail by clicking here or telephone: 0121 357 4278 (option 1)