St Albans Rangers FC work in partnership with Hertfordshire FA to ensure that all the relevant Safeguarding Children policies and procedures are being adopted by our Club.
The FA has a three part strategy for safeguarding:
- Getting the right people involved – carrying out references and CRC checks
- Creating a safe environment – Codes of conduct, education and best practice
- Promoting clear systems to deal with any concerns, policy and procedures
Criminal Records Checks
The FA believes that football should be safe and enjoyable for all children and has introduced Criminal Records Checks (CRC) to help in this process. Everyone who is working in regulated activity in grassroots football in Hertfordshire must have an FA Criminal Record Check (CRC).
CRC (also known as DBS) replaced the previous CRB check system in early 2013. CRCs assess an individual’s criminal records history and allow The FA to make an informed decision on whether that person is suitable for a position working with children and vulnerable adults.
More information on CRC’s can be found on the The FA website.
Safeguarding Children Workshop
Safeguarding Children is a 3-hour workshop which covers a number of issues surrounding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. The course is a compulsory part of most FA qualifications including coaching awards.
Courses can be booked online here.
The FA Safeguarding Children Workshop can be renewed online but in order to do this, a coach must have already completed a face-to-face, three-hour FA Safeguarding Children Workshop.
Details of how to renew online can be found here.
Club Welfare Officers
For affiliation with the FA, it is mandatory for all clubs with youth teams to have a named Club Welfare Officer who has the following:
- An accepted FA Enhanced Criminal Record Check (within the last 3 years)
- Completed the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop
- Attended the FA Welfare Officer Workshop
Our Club would not be able to affiliate with Hertfordshire FA unless they meet these criteria.
Concerns within the Club
If you are concerned about your child or another child in the Club, you would normally contact your Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in the first instance. The Club CWO is Lisa Rees and you should be given the contact details of the CWO at the start of the season. The CWO will normally deal with cases of poor practice and behaviour within the Club.
Lisa can be contacted by email at cwo@stalbansrangersfc.co.uk or on 07794 094 501
County Welfare Officer
For concerns of a serious nature or for advice and guidance contact County Welfare Officer Richard Drake on 01462 650215 richard.drake@hertfordshirefa.com