Safeguarding

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults at all levels of the game in Wales.  We want people to have a fun, enjoyable and positive experience, and safeguarding is vital to this. 

The FAW Safeguarding Policy sets out the key principles and best practice guidelines as to club operations can be viewed in the FAW Safeguarding Kit Bag.

Everybody involved in Welsh football has a responsibility towards safeguarding and welfare of the child/vulnerable adult is the paramount consideration!

DBS Checks

It is a condition that all junior coaches and club personnel who come into contact with children have a current and valid DBS check and COMET ID number.

It is now compulsory for all junior clubs to sign up to the WSA online system to submit DBS applications via a portal.  The FAW Safeguarding Team no longer provide paper application forms for clubs to complete checks. The process allows for a more streamlined approach as forms with errors cannot be submitted, thus reducing the need for information ‘chasing’ by the DBS.

DBS checks on the online system can often be completed within as little as 72 hours and the results are then immediately visible for the FAW Safeguarding Team to add the DBS check to the comet system and confirm comet registrations for clear certificates.  

Please note that certificates that have content (i.e. a criminal record) must still be submitted to the FAW for assessment and the individual must receive clearance (registration confirmed on comet) from the FAW Safeguarding team to undertake their duties. Please send a clear scanned copy of the DBS certificate to safeguarding@faw.co.uk for assessment.  Failure to do so will mean that you have not received clearance to be involved in junior football.  Individuals found to be in breach of this rule can be removed from their club whilst the club in question can also be subject to suspension from junior football related activity.

Sign up to the WSA online DBS checking system.

DBS Checks for volunteers are free to complete and should a Club wish to be added to the system they will need to appoint a club administrator (preferably the club safeguarding officer) who is responsible for overseeing and verifying the DBS applications. To sign up as administrator, this individual must have a valid DBS check through the FAW and have completed registration on the comet system.  To sign up please send the following details to safeguarding@faw.co.uk

  • Name
  • Club
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Email address

Clubs will then be contacted by the Welsh Sports Association with their access details.

Digital Registration cards

Please note that the FAW safeguarding team no longer issue safeguarding scheme cards upon completion of the DBS process as digital photographic registration card detailing your DBS status will be sent to you via email once you have completed the comet registration process though your club.  This digital registration card must be downloaded and available should you be asked to produce it at training/fixtures. If you would like more information on the comet registration process, please see the COMET section of this website.

FAW Education

As per the Club Accreditation Regulations all clubs must have a Club Safeguarding Officer who has completed the FAW Safeguarding Award. The FAW safeguarding course is now available online and is valid for three years.   Please click here to book onto a safeguarding course. (can we please provide link to award?) https://www.fawcourses.com/category/safeguarding  

In addition, in order to meet the standard level required for entry into your junior league, there must be at least one individual per team who holds a FAW Football Leaders Award and a FAW First Aid Award. We would also encourage coaches to complete the FAW Safeguarding Award as a means of best practice.

Further information on Coach Education can be viewed here

Safeguarding Structure

Responsibilities of the CSO

  • Administer DBS (formerly CRB) programme.
  • Ensure that coaches and relevant personnel have current and valid DBS checks and have registered with the club on the COMET system.
  • Ensure that coaches and relevant personnel have the necessary qualifications to undertake their roles.
  • Ensure that the club meets at least the Standard level of the Club Accreditation Programme (in partnership with club colleagues)
  • Act as the point of contact for minor safeguarding/welfare issues at club level
  • Report issues that cannot be dealt with at club level to your League Safeguarding Officer
  • Implement best practice at club level.
  • Comply with the CSO Code of Conduct

League Safeguarding Officer

  • Support club safeguarding officers with their duties and offer support and guidance.
  • Communicate leagues responsibility to safeguard children.
  • Promote FAW safeguarding policies.
  • Monitor best practice at club level.
  • Act as liaison between club and Area Association
  • Implement reporting procedure and escalate concerns to Area Association/FAW Safeguarding where necessary.
  • Investigate safeguarding issues where appropriate
  • Reporting issues to Area Safeguarding officer that cannot be dealt with at a League level
  • Support clubs when going through a restructure (i.e. change of verifier or club safeguarding officer)
  • Ensure individuals have received the necessary training
  • Monitor Club Accreditation Programme (in partnership with League Secretary)

Area Safeguarding Officer

  • Promote and disseminate FAW Safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Manage children’s welfare within the Association
  • Arrange and attend necessary meetings with member leagues and clubs
  • Assist FAW Safeguarding department with investigations into safeguarding concerns where directed
  • Investigate safeguarding issues and complaints where appropriate
  • Report issues to FAW Safeguarding that cannot be dealt with at an Area level
  • Monitor best practice at club and league level
  • Ensure that individuals have received the necessary training
  • Manage the Area’s responsibility to safeguard children

FAW Safeguarding Team

  • Comprises of National Safeguarding & Player Welfare Manager, Safeguarding Executive and Safeguarding Co-ordinator
  • Manage statutory and legal matters
  • Undertake investigations into serious matters; criminal activity, sexual offences, drugs, violence
  • Policy development & implementation
  • Training & education
  • Consultation
  • Manage National DBS Programme- forms are submitted to FAW and processed before sending onto the DBS
  • Log DBS information to an individual's COMET profile upon receipt of DBS certificate/clearance.
  • Assist with COMET registration process and check that an individual involved in junior football has a valid DBS before confirming their registration on the COMET system.
  • Assist with the management of coach registration issues and queries
  • Manage independent Safeguarding Panel
  • Communication of safeguarding procedures and protocols
  • Manage complaints/concerns and refer as necessary

Managing Concerns/Allegations 

It is imperative that all complaints, concerns and allegations are investigated thoroughly with the welfare of the child or vulnerable adult being the paramount consideration.

REMEMBER: It is not your responsibility to determine if abuse has taken place, but it is your responsibility to report it!

RESPOND, RECORD, REPORT

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of a child, please contact the Police on 999

Safeguarding Kit Bag

Here you will find a variety of documents that will aid you with safeguarding queries and club operations.

Please take the time to read the documents thoroughly and use them to implement best practice within your club.

 

Safeguarding Kit Bag 2021
04/03/2021
1. Club Safeguarding Policy.pdf
04/03/2021
2. (CYMRAEG) Coaches, Managers and Volunteer Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
2. Coaches, Managers and Volunteers Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
3. (CYMRAEG) CSO Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
3. CSO Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
3. SO roles and responsibilites.pdf
04/03/2021
4. (CYMRAEG) Parents, Guardians and Spectators Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
4. Parents, Guardians and Spectators Code of Coduct.pdf
04/03/2021
5. (CYMRAEG) Players Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
5. Players Code of Conduct.pdf
04/03/2021
6. Away Trips Information.pdf
04/03/2021
7. Changing Facilities guidance.pdf
04/03/2021
8. Club Anti-Bullying Policy.pdf
04/03/2021
9. Club Photographic Consent form.pdf
04/03/2021
9. Photography consent form.pdf
04/03/2021
9. Photography Guidance.pdf
04/03/2021
10. Guidance on delivering online coaching.pdf
04/03/2021
11. who is your CSO.pdf
04/03/2021
12. Club Welcome Packs for Parents.pdf
04/03/2021
13, Managing Challenging Behaviour.pdf
04/03/2021
14. Complaints procedure.pdf
04/03/2021
15. Transporting Children Guidance.pdf
04/03/2021
16. Safeguarding_Incident_Referral_Form.pdf
04/03/2021
17. Safeguarding Guidance - Frequently asked questions.pdf
04/03/2021
18. Useful Information regarding DBS checks and COMET.pdf
04/03/2021
19. Guidelines_For_Recruiting_Volunteers.v1.pdf
04/03/2021
20. Risk_Assessment_Form.pdf
04/03/2021
21. Sample_Reference_Form_Confidential.pdf
04/03/2021
22. Accident-Incident Reporting Form.pdf
04/03/2021
23. Player_info__Consent_form.pdf
04/03/2021
24. Safeguarding_Communication_Guidelines.v.1.pdf