APRIL 2009 - CRB Verification
As you know FA CRB Disclosure Applications must be validated by a welfare officer or trained verifier and The FA CRB Unit provides a list of suitable documents to assist with this process; confirming that an applicant is exactly who they say they are is an essential part of the process.
Please note that The CRB Liverpool has become aware of an applicant who produced a “World Passport” to support his Disclosure Application. This documents looks like the real thing but can in fact be purchased online by any member of the public and should not be confused with a genuine passport.
Please ensure that you do not use a “World Passport” to validate anyone’s identity. If you are suspicious about the validity or origin of an applicant’s passport or you are unsure about any part of the ID checking process please contact The FA CRB Unit on 0845 210 8080.
We would ask that you share this information with your welfare officer network and reassure them that there has only been one individual who has used a “World Passport” for ID purposes and this was not within football.
MARCH 2009 - Urgent CRB/ISA Update
Announcement on changes to the implementation of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The FA is pleased to note that the Government has decided to delay the implementation of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), which is being developed as a result of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (the “Act”).
The FA has been lobbying hard to help ensure that the impact of this Act on football and sport generally is understood by Ministers and that its implementation has positive outcomes. By delaying full implementation, the Government has acknowledged the need for more preparation, consideration, testing of the new systems and communication with stakeholders.
The Act will still be implemented from 12th October 2009, but key actions will now be phased in as follows:
12th October 2009
• The barring provisions under the Act will take effect, extending the range of activities and workplaces from which individuals may be barred. This will include all regulated activities, as defined by the Act, covering a wide range of football related activities for U18s.
• It will be an offence for any barred person to work in regulated activities and for any employer to employ someone he knows to be barred, in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
• The FA’s Case Management Team will have a duty to refer concerns and relevant cases to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) for their consideration. Indeed the Team is already making referrals as appropriate.
July 2010
• Those wishing to work with children or vulnerable adults will be able to apply for registration with the new scheme.
• The ISA will consider all cases referred to it and will be able to bar those considered unsuitable for such work.
• Continuous monitoring of those registered with the scheme will commence.
• New entrants to the workforce and those changing posts will apply to the scheme first under plans to phase in the workforce gradually over a five year period.
November 2010
• Relevant criminal offences will be brought into force in November 2010.
• At this point registration with the new scheme and the requirement for employers to check registered status will become mandatory for the phased-in groups.
What does this mean for football?
For football this continues to mean for the 2009-10 season:
• All clubs and leagues with youth teams must have a Welfare Officer who has an FA CRB check and has completed the Safeguarding Children workshop.
• As per FA policy and current actions in the County Plans, Welfare Officers must enforce The FA Safeguarding Children Regulation that requires: ‘All persons applying for or currently in such positions that The Association deems relevant whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising, or being in charge of children, must comply with requirements of The Association’s CRB process’. This includes all coaches, managers, welfare officers, regular first aiders or medics and referees.
• The Case Management Team will continue to refer concerns to the ISA.
• The FA will make relevant amendments to our regulations to ensure that we can enforce barring orders issued by the ISA.
• The FA will review our current policy on the renewal of CRB checks and will provide further guidance to Counties.
• The FA will consider the option to roll-out enhanced CRB checks for those working with vulnerable adults, as part of the draft policy on Vulnerable Adults in Football which is being progressed.
• The FA will develop a revised action plan for the implementation of the Vetting and Barring Scheme for the season 2010-11.
Sue Law
Head of Equality and Child Protection
20th March 2009