Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Please read the following statement from The FA:
'The FA is aware that Sir Roger Singleton has now formally reviewed the requirement to register under the new vetting and barring scheme and has suggested some changes. The FA has not yet received any formal notification of the detail of the review but we hope that this will be shared by the Government, with us in full this week'
The FA continues to stress that until such time as the details of the scheme are explicit the most important thing football can do is to follow its three part strategy:
• Getting the right people involved - carrying out references and CRB checks
• Creating a safe environment - Respect codes of conduct, education and best practice
• Promoting clear systems - to deal with any concerns, appropriate policy and procedures.
Football Clubs and Counties are strongly advised to ensure that anyone working or volunteering with children in football as a coach, referee, welfare officer, manager or hands on first aider has an FA CRB and that the online Safeguarding Service shows to the club that their CRB is 'accepted'. Please be assured The FA continues to work closely to identify the requirements of the scheme on football, to anticipate the impact of the scheme and to manage the process through to readiness. NB The scheme becomes mandatory for certain cohorts in November 2010.'
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Clarification of Rules in Mini Soccer
Dear Clubs
Due to recent issues I would like to take this opportunity to clear up the rules around playing up an age groups in mini and youth football.
With regards to non-competitive fixtures u8s can play up into the u9 age group but players must have obtained the age of 7 by 31st August in that playing season, thus maintaining the two year rule. (So an u7 player could play in an u8 non-competitive fixture, but not if they were playing a non-competitive fixture against an u9 team).
However, in competitive matches u8s are not allowed to play in an u9s matches. Nevertheless, u7s can play in an u8s game as these are both non-competitive age groups and U9s can play in u10s matches as both these age groups are deemed competitive.
Due to the change from mini-soccer to 11 a—side youth football u10s are not allowed to play up into an u11 age group. After u11s players are able to play up two years as youth football is the same throughout all ages groups up to u18s.
If any club breaks these rules they will be sanctioned by Somerset FA.
If you have any queries on this matter please contact Somerset FA on 01761 410287 or email
Jeremy.nash@somersetfa.com
Jeremy Nash
County Welfare Officer
Somerset FA
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SVGA / Vetting and Barring Scheme
Following a lot of coverage in the media recently regarding the Safe Guarding Vulnerable Groups Act, (SVGA) and the Vetting and Barring Scheme The DA have issued the following statement:
'We will be working with the Vetting and Barring Scheme alongside CRB, to assess the suitability of those working with children and vulnerable adults in football.
With regards to the statements in the media today, the information below clarifies the requirements after 26 July 2010.
Anyone working or volunteering on behalf of a third party organisation for example a football club who has frequent or intensive access to children or vulnerable adults, will have to be registered with the scheme. The FA will guide the implementation process and we have 5 years in which to phase the roll out across football based on a risk assessment approach.
The Vetting and Barring Scheme does not cover personal or family relationships, so parents making informal arrangements to give lifts to children will not have to be vetted.
Changes from 26 July 2010 will be communicated nearer the time when the exact requirements are formalised by the government.'
Further guidance can be found Here
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EU Block Bullying Online survey
Dear Trainer,
As part of our EU commitments we took part in the EU Block Bullying Online campaign for SID09. A video was developed to raise awareness and promote a safer use of the Internet amongst young people. We want to hear the views of young people regarding this clip and the issues it covers. Will it be possible to add the following text to your website to encourage young people to conduct the survey? If you do take this forward please let us know. Thank you for the continued support!
Text for you website:
As part of Safer Internet Day 09 the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre recently helped develop a video to raise awareness and promote a safer use of the Internet amongst young people. We want to hear your views of this clip and the issues it covers.
If you have not watched the video yet, please Click here.
After watching the video, we would be grateful if you could take 10 minutes to complete the following survey.
Please Click here to complete the survey:
Many thanks for your assistance with this, your help is much appreciated.
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