The FA Enhanced Disclosure (CRB) tells The FA if a person is barred. It also helps The FA to make informed recruitment decisions about the suitability of people with criminal records who are seeking to have a role with U18s football
Who should be CRB Checked?
There are strict rules about who can be CRB checked and it is important that candidates for CRBs meet the criteria before they are entered in for an Enhanced CRB check. In order to have a check, your involvement needs to be frequent. This is usually described as once a week or more, four days or more in one month or overnight although occasionally people with lower levels of contact may still need one.
The following people helping in U18s football should have an FA Enhanced Disclosure (CRB):
- Club Welfare Officers
- Team Managers
- Coaches
- First Aiders
- Referees
- Team Assistants
- Regular Club Drivers.
Ordinarily, Club Chairmen, Treasurers and Secretaries do not require a check, if they are just or mainly administrative roles. However, if the people in these roles also help with coaching or at matches, then they will need an FA Enhanced Disclosure.
You do not need to have a check to watch your child play, if you occasionally run the line or if you drive your own child and his/her friends to games if this is a private and personal arrangement with other parents, or if your role is mainly administrative.
It is very important that people who do not need a check are not required to have one, as this is breaking the law and has serious consequences.
Online CRBs
Qualified Club Welfare Officers are encouraged to use the FA CRB Online Application Process. This facility is quicker and cheaper than the traditional paper-based application route and is also virtually error free.
The biggest benefit is a saving of £5.30 per volunteer FA CRB Check with the cost being £10 as against the current paper cost of £15.30.
The paper application process remains valid and Club Welfare Officers who do not have internet access or are not confident with using it are still able to use the current FA CRB Forms. Club Welfare Officers can obtain additional FA CRB Application Forms and help with this paper process by contacting FA CRB as above.
Please read The FA's FAQs ABOUT CRB CHECKS as this will explain who needs a CRB Check and exactly how to go about getting one.
If you have any queries regarding CRB Checks you can contact Nottinghamshire FA County Welfare Officer Ali Howie on 07970329462 or email Alison.Howie@nottinghamshirefa.com
