Respect is aimed at helping us all to work together to change the negative attitudes and unacceptable behaviour on the sidelines and on the pitch. It's a long-term commitment and a key part of the CFA Welfare Officer's role.

The role of the CFA Welfare Officer is essential in ensuring that Respect is understood and taken on board by the thousands of welfare officers in clubs and leagues with youth teams across the country. Respect is all about creating a fun and safe environment and its core principles work in tandem with Safeguarding Children.

CFA Welfare Officers will aim to give you as much support as they can - this will be in a variety of ways:

Information

  • Directing you to Safeguarding Children, Charter Standard and Respect guidance provided by The FA
  • Providing dates of for Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Workshops
  • Hosting safeguarding children information on the CFA website

Meetings / Presentations

  • Meet or as a minimum speak with all Youth League Welfare Officers and begin to get to know you
  • Organise cluster group meetings for welfare officers to share updates and hear about any issues from you
  • Build a network for welfare officers to communicate in and through
  • Deliver presentations to leagues about safeguarding children.

Monitoring

  • Oversee the Charter Standard Leagues in terms of Respect and poor practice issues
  • Oversee compliance with CRB checks across the leagues
  • Appointment of welfare officers in every club and league with youth teams

Advice

  • Be there to offer advice and guidance on specific poor practice situations as and when you need it
  • Deal with any child abuse concerns in line with The FAs policy and procedures
  • Be there to explain about The FA CRB process as and when required
  • Collate best practice safeguarding examples and share these with The FA
  • Advise on running pre-season welcome sessions for parents and players