DBS CHECKS:

The FA requires that any adult (over 16) who volunteers to do a role involving children (under 18s) must have a clear FA Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they begin volunteering.

 

Volunteering activity that requires a DBS:

· Managing, training, or coaching children. This includes regularly* helping at training sessions (does not include setting up or packing away equipment), or other regular* supervising or caring roles

· Regular* refereeing

· Giving advice or guidance to children

· Giving first aid to children

· A parent who acts as a linesperson every week probably won’t need a DBS if that is all they do.

 

*Regular means three times in any 30-day period. So, if a parent is likely to supervise a group of girls during summer tournaments, they must have a clear DBS check even if they do not help out during the rest of the year.

 

It is essential that coaches let the one of the Club Welfare Officers (CWO's) know when someone volunteers to do any of the above.

 

The welfare officers are contactable via welfare.blewbury@gmail.com. Their personal mobile numbers and e-mail addresses are available via the coaches WhatsApp group.

 

Volunteers should not start helping regularly until the DBS check is complete. Please confirm the check is complete with the CWO prior to letting any volunteer start.

 

COACHING QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The FA defines a team manager, coach, or assistant coach as an adult who is regularly attending either training sessions and/or match days, and is involved in directing the children’s activities, whether or not there is another adult in overall charge of the group.

 

All teams require at least two qualified named managers/coaches.

 

Managers/coaches must complete the following before starting to coach or help coach a team:

 

· An FA approved, enhanced DBS check - please contact CWO to arrange · Complete the 2 hour online FA Safeguarding Children training. Cost £30 · Complete the 1.5-2 hour online FA Introduction to First Aid training Cost £30

 

Additionally, all coaches are required to complete the following within 3 months of starting coaching children:

· FA Introduction to Coaching Football: Online e-learning: 120 mins, plus three online 1-hour webinars (one webinar a week for three weeks). Cost £100.

 

All coaches/managers should co-operate amicably with other coaches, Club committee members and other volunteers, and participate in the communication systems used within the Club. For example, they will be expected to:

 

· attend occasional online Club coaches’ meetings (approximately one hour-long online meeting every other month during the football season);

· become a member of the Club coaches’ WhatsApp group; and

· respond to messages sent to them regarding Club business.

 

 

PAYING FOR COURSES:

The Club will reimburse the cost of all of the above courses, so long as a Club Committee member has confirmed in writing that you may go ahead. If paying upfront will cause difficulties, please let one of the CWO's know so they can help (this information will be treated confidentially).

 

Once you have completed a course, send details to finance.amazonsgirlsfc@gmail.com. Please be patient as all requests are dealt with by volunteers. Do not email our treasurer, Corinne directly as she shares the financial admin responsibility.

 

The FA Safeguarding and First Aid courses will be reimbursed immediately. Given the greater cost of the Introduction to Coaching course, the Club will pay half of the total cost immediately, and the other half once you have completed a whole calendar year with the club. The onus will be on you to contact the treasurer at the end of the year to request a reimbursement of the final half.

 

Please direct questions about any of the above information to one of the club welfare officers.

 

Thank you.

​