FA Clarifications on Safeguarding

The following is intended as a safeguarding update in response to the key questions we know you are being asked by clubs and also are raising yourselves as we all make the necessary adjustments to implement the Governments guidance in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following issues are addressed:

• the ratio of coaches working with children
• face-to-face Identity (ID) Document Verification for DBS checks (attached)
• guidance for Clubs in WGS Portal in light of changes connected with the Covid-19 pandemic
• Safeguarding Education
• Insurance cover during Covid-19 (attached)

Coaches working with children 
Guidance issued on 1 June following discussion with DCMS, enabled coaches to work with groups of 5 children, with the coach as the 6th person, if the coach had an in-date FA DBS check and there was another adult (this could have been a parent/carer or another coach), in sight of the activity. 

This approach sought to facilitate a gradual start to some football activity in a proportionate way, with an observing adult in sight of the activity, whilst socially distanced and observing. Whilst this was supported by the DCMS, it has become apparent that this position has caused some confusion in respect of ensuring the correct ratio of coaches to children is always adhered to, and that this might lead to challenges for clubs and coaches locally. For this reason, you will see a change to the information now in the public domain.

Therefore, the guidance issued on 12 June, clarifies this.

For the avoidance of doubt this means:

• if there is only one group, there must be two FA DBS checked adults / coaches, therefore the ratio is 2:4 coaches to children; or
• if there are two or more groups of 5 children, coaches can work on the ratio of 1:5 coaches to children.

Face-to-face Identity (ID) Document Verification for DBS checks 
Please find attached the new guidance which enables face-to-face ID verification for DBS checks by appointed FA PIN Verifiers – ‘Guidance on carrying out face-to-face Identity (ID) Document Verification for DBS checks in line with Government Covid-19 guidelines’.

As you reflect on how best to manage communications about and the implementation of face-to-face ID verification, it’s important to recognise that some PIN verifiers may not feel comfortable to carry out ID verifications at this time. This might be because individuals are in one of the groups that are more vulnerable to Covid-19, as identified by Government data e.g. 70+, BAME, those with specific underlying medical conditions.

 

If the CFA needs to support the appointment of new ID verifiers in some clubs/areas of the county, please direct clubs to contact FAchecks@TheFA.com and to work with colleagues at GB Group, to get new verifier’s set up on the system.

A – Yes to allow you to start the process, but you will receive warnings and you will not be able to able to submit the affiliation form. With face-to-face DBS verification now reinstated, you are reminded that all Welfare Officers must have a current FA DBS check.

A – Yes, you will receive warnings, but this is allowed, and the affiliation form can be submitted.

A – No, with face-to-face FA DBS checks reinstated, all Youth Team Managers and Coaches must have a current FA DBS.

A – No, this is not allowed. If you need to have a new Welfare Officer who does not have any of these, you will need to contact your County FA who can support getting the FA DBS check and can record the need for an action plan for the Safeguarding and Welfare Officer Workshops.

A – No, this is not allowed. With face-to-face DBS verification now reinstated, all Youth Team Managers and Coaches must have a current FA DBS.

We recognise that counties are keen to understand how safeguarding education can be delivered safely and in a timely way and the options for SCW and WOW remain under consideration with FA Learning. This includes the possibility of virtual classroom sessions as an interim position as soon as we can provide further details we will do.

We have previously discussed the learning needs of Club Welfare Officers at regional meetings and have worked with the business Insight team to develop an online survey of Club Welfare Officers who completed WOW in the last two years.

We are seeking to understand the CWO experience from first considering taking on the role through to the current day with a view to providing a relevant learning journey.

We intend to send the survey out to CWOs on Wednesday 24th. June and we expect it remain open until Sunday 12th July (closing at midnight). 

Before closing the email, I have received a number of enquiries regarding the position of insurance for Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance if Clubs were to commence organised footballing activities inline with the latest FA guidelines and have attached a useful infographic, which has been created by Bluefin Sport, The FA’s providers for National Game Insurance Scheme.