1 Implications
The SVGA will impact in the following way
a) Youth Football (football for Under 18s) Youth football will be a "regulated activity." A Regulated activity is defined as paid and unpaid work that nvolves certain close contact with children (e.g. caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children, or where people are in a position to influence policy relating to children's football.) This includes referees, coaches, managers, welfare offficers and medics.
b) Disabled and vulnerable adults Football for disabled and vulnerable adults is also defined as a "regulated activity." This is defined as work that is paid and unpaid, which involves certain close contact with vulnerable adults (e.g. any form of training, teaching or instruction provided wholly or mainly for vulnerable adults.)
c) Football organisations
Where football is provided as described in a) and b) above, The FA, County FAs, Leagues, Clubs and other football providers are regulated activity providers under SVGA.
d) Individuals
From September 2008, it will be a criminal offence for anyone to be in a paid or unpaid role, working with children or vulnerable adults as described in a) and b) above, if they have not completed an enhanced CRB disclosure and been accepted into football. This means that such a person is not to engage in regulated activity unless they are "subject to monitoring" e.g. have completed a CRB disclosure and accepted into football.
e) Enforcement
It will be a criminal offence if an individual as described in a) and b) above engages in a regulated activity and they are not subject to monitoring. It will also be a criminal offence if a regulated activity provider, i) permits an individual to engage in regulated activity from which that individual is barred or, ii) if a regulated activity provider knows or has reason to believe that an individual is barred from that activity, and the individual engages in that activity. We will need to do all we can to ensure that everyone is clear on their own responsibilities at club, league, county and national level
2 The FAs Response:
The FA is pursuing a four fold strategy to ensure SVGA requirements are communicated and met.
a) The FA will continue to consult with the Home Office, CRB and the Vetting and Barring Aervice:
* Involvement in ongoing consultation regarding the implementation of the SGVA and looking at the impact of this
on FA policy and practices in football's work with children and vulnerable adults
* This consultation includes seeking clarity on the impact of the legislation for those working in open-age football
* Specific information is being developed on the requirements of the legislation and the action youth clubs and leagues need to take
* Targetted information is being developed for clubs, managers, coaches, referees, medics, welfare officers etc
on action individuals need to take
b) Working together to deliver:
Youth League and Club Welfare Officers
* It is likely that a mandate for Youth League and Club Welfare Officers will be approved for the 08-09 season
* Youth League and Club Welfare Officers are essential to ensure that leagues and clubs are compliant with the legislation - to roll out the CRB checks and to help focus on dealing with poor touchline behaviour
What does this mean to your club or your league in Northumberland?
a) Clubs and Leagues will be invited to to send representatives to attend Welfare Officer Training courses - workshops are 3 hours and will be free.
b) It is likely to be a condition of affiliation for 2008-09 season for youth clubs/teams to have a nominated Club Welfare Officer.
c) All youth clubs will have someone trained to complete CRB disclosure forms for their volunteers
d) Leagues and clubs will have a greater role to play in helping to improve the behaviour of coaches, managers, players, and spectators - raising standards and demonstrating good "role model" expectations