Nottinghamshire FA - developing football for everyone
Governance - safeguarding the game

Welfare Officer Workshops (WOW)

THIS IS A TEN MONTH EARLY WARNING!!!

Club Welfare Officers need to be aware that for season 2010-11 they will not only need an accepted or in progress CRB, a S C Workshop but also a Welfare Officer Workshop Certificate. I know some of you have already attended courses, but some of you will be coming up for renewal and even more of this year's ‘new’ Club Welfare Officers have not had an opportunity to undertake this yet.

From the current statistics available from The FA, 76 Club Welfare Officers need to do this course and given that each course can take up to 24 candidates, several courses are going to be needed to meet the need. I am therefore, planning three courses: the first for November; with others in February and March which will be held at venues to suit demand so please can those of you who fall into the group of 76 please let your League Welfare Officer, or me, know which month you would wish to attend so we can plan accordingly. A deposit (or full payment of £20) is required and will secure a non-transferable place. If you are not sure if this applies to you or not, then please ask your secretary to check on the system, email your League Welfare Officers or me, and clarify if you need to do the course or not. (gillian.sebright@nottinghamshirefa.com)

I would appreciate it if you would commit yourself to a date now and not leave it till next summer when your club comes to affiliate and it is refused. Please note that there will be no alternative way of affiliating for season 2010-11 and I do not want any of us running around trying to find a course at the last minute because this opportunity was not taken!

I equally do not want to be cancelling any type of course this year because of disinterest. Several were lost last season through apathy and then once affiliation was needed, we have a group of Club Welfare Officers who are distressed and worried at letting players down because the club cannot affiliate.

Please see below the process for season 2009-10 regarding potential WOW courses to be held across our county.

To all those Club Welfare Officers (CWO) looking for a course please note the following, and follow the advice given.

No CWO is permitted to apply to undertake the WOW without filling the application criteria which is:
• Holds a current enhanced CRB disclosure
• Holds an in-date Safeguarding Children Workshop (SCW) certificate and can provide the number.  It will be possible to assist on this one if you have mislaid the certificate but hold a FAN
• Apply through their appropriate League Welfare Officer (LWO) or me direct. Booking forms are only available through contact with the LWO or myself and will need to be returned to me at the Chilwell HQ.

Payment must accompany the booking form with cheques and postal orders for £20 being made payable to 'Notts FA Ltd'

PLEASE NOTE - CRAIG LEE OR ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CANNOT ACCESS THE COURSE ON YOUR BEHALF.

Wherever possible, I will be attending the courses so look forward to meeting you. If I am not in attendance and any issues arise then the trainer will ensure I have feedback to act on.

I think I have covered everything but if this is not clear enough then contact your League Welfare Officers and check with them.

If you want to ontact me or leave a message then please ring 0115 9837400, I will get back to you as soon as I can.

But alternatively you can email me at: gillian.sebright@nottinghamshirefa.com  

WOW Course Details

Cost: £20

WOW information:
Minimum Age: 18
Course Duration: 3 hours
Course Prerequisites: The SCW is essential for The Welfare Officer (WO) to complete prior to attending this workshop.  WO must also have an FA CRB check prior to being appointed in their role.
Who is it for: This course is exclusively for grassroots LWO and CWO.

Course aims and objectives:
The course is designed to explore the role of the WO and to identify the support networks for designated persons in football. It will assist WO to recognise the best practice that is already in place to safeguard youth leagues and youth teams and identify any areas that need to be addressed to provide fun, safe, positive football environments. The course will support WO to take ownership and develop confidence in dealing with poor practice issues, provide information on key child protection legislation and the statutory agencies and provide clarity on reporting concerns about child abuse. The course supports The FA's strategic goals to raise standards across the game and demonstrates our capacity to be trusted to lead.

Course content:
This is a workshop designed to answer questions such as:
- What responsibilities do WO have to safeguard children?
- What responsibilities do clubs and leagues have to safeguard children?
- How does a WO ensure the club is following best practice?
- What should a WO do when concerns are reported about poor practice, bullying and or abuse within or outside a football setting?
- What is CRB and who should not have a check done?
- The workshop is interactive and informal; tutors draw on participant's experiences and knowledge as well as developing learning through presentation and small group activities.

Equality:
FA Learning will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, it's activities in an atmosphere free from harassment, bullying, discrimination or abuse. FA Learning will seek to provide a service which is appropriate to the needs of an individual and to make reasonable adjustments or provide support, where appropriate, to cater for those needs.