Welfare / Safeguarding

I have had a meeting with the OFA tonight with regards Welfare / Safeguarding.

The important points that came out of this were.

Every Club now has to have a welfare officer regardless of whether you have under 18's in your side. This can be done via Whole Game.
The nominated person MUST complete a free online welfare course by 31st December. This should take a maximum of 1 hour and will be available from October. The OFA will send all clubs a link

Any club who do not have a Welfare Officer listed will not be able affiliate next season.

All clubs with an under 18 player must have a manager / coach who is DBS checked. The OFA will be following this up during the season. Again clubs who do not follow this will be warned and then suspended. This is bringing Adult football in line with Youth football.

Lastly Safeguarding / Welfare should be an agenda item for all clubs meetings.