Firstly, can we take this opportunity to thank everyone for the tireless work they put into this important area, ensuring that young people and adults at risk are suitably protected and have a great experience when they participate in football.

Please see below a range of important updates, covering key areas.

Play Safe

Thanks to everyone for getting behind the Play Safe weekend, it was fantastic to see everyone’s photos from the weekend! Congratulations to Belmont Wanderers U12 Cannons for this fantastic effort - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=472988201539339&set=a.460251909479635 A prize will be with the team shortly.

As a reminder, key details about the FA’s campaign can be found here - https://www.thefa.com/playsafe and we would encourage all parents/carers to take the FA’s new, short and free safeguarding course here - https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses/safeguarding/safeguarding-awareness-for-parents-and-carers

23/24 Season (including Open-Age)

The FA is introducing some key changes for the 23/24 season:

• All U18 youth team coaches/managers must hold an in-date Safeguarding Children Course or Safeguarding Re-certification qualification, for their team(s) to affiliate in 23/24 season.
• Open-Age clubs must:
  • oname a Club Welfare Officer (Open-Age Teams) as part of 23/23 affiliation process
  • adopt the safeguarding policy
  • oname managers and coaches against all the teams registered with The FA
  • ensure FA DBS Checks are done for those working with under-18s
  • ensure those running the club and coaching complete a free Player Welfare resource to affiliate in 24/25
• All Clubs with Open-Age Disability teams must:
  • oname a Club Welfare Officer (Disability Teams) who has completed The FA’s free Safeguarding Adults Course as part of 23/24 affiliation process.

Courses

By way of reminder, The FAs Safeguarding courses are all digital, many are free and accessible via the England Football Learning website via this link: https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses/safeguarding

Whistleblowing

If you suspect or believe a safeguarding concern has not been properly addressed you can whistle-blow by emailing safeguarding@TheFA.com or if needs be to the NSPCC CPSU via their contact us page form at https://thecpsu.org.uk/contact-us/  or  NSPCC helpline Tel. 0808 800 5000

Thank you again for all that you do in this area. For further information please contact safeguarding@herefordshriefa.com or visit https://www.herefordshirefa.com/about/rules-and-regulations/safeguarding-and-welfare or https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding