Wanted: Heaton Stan Juniors – Club Welfare Officer

Club News

We are now recruiting for the position of Club Welfare Officer at Heaton Stan Juniors.

This is a unique opportunity to be involved in a Junior setup from its inception and help to shape its direction. The CWO is a critical role in holding the Club and its coaches to the highest standards of care towards the children we work with.

This is a voluntary role, but any expenses will be covered by the Club. 

No prior experience is required – fully funded training will be provided.

If you would like to discuss the role more with us, please e-mail heatonstan@gmail.com.

Role Specification

Who will I be responsible for?

You will work with the club officials, particularly the youth team coaches/ managers, to ensure they are carrying out their duty of care when running football activities for children. Importantly you will be a point of contact for the children if they have any concerns about the way they are being treated.

What is the role of the Welfare Officer?

To be clear about the clubs’ responsibilities when running activities for children and young people. This involves:

  • Ensuring these responsibilities are well understood by others;
  • Working with the Youth League Welfare Officer (YLWO);
  • Working with your County FA Welfare Officer;
  • Promoting The FA’s RESPECT Programme and helping to develop best practice processes;
  • To help club personnel understand what their duty of care towards children and young people means and entails on a day-to-day basis.

What sort of tasks are involved?

Tasks will include:

  • Ensuring everyone who needs an FA CRB check does one;
  • Encouraging officials to complete The FA Safeguarding Children workshop;
  • Assisting with the planning of festivals and tournaments;
  • Being a point of contact for coaches, parents and children with regards to safeguarding.

How much time will I need to give to the role?

As we are building a Junior club from scratch, the role will develop over time. The initial time commitment will be proportionate to the number of team we launch Heaton Stan Juniors with. As the Club grows, we will assess the impact and look to bring in additional CWOs to support you.

What else can you tell me about the role?

The following five steps outline the role a CWO may play, with the support of others at the Club:

  1. Put in place
  • Safeguarding children policy, antibullying policy and equality policy.
  • Responsible recruitment processes including the taking up of references and submitting FA CRB checks (getting the right people into the game);
  • The FA RESPECT Codes of Conduct.
  1. Understand
  • The aims of the RESPECT programme;
  • The benefits of implementing the RESPECT Codes of Conduct.
  • The quick wins to be gained by using The FA’s Safeguarding Children Best Practice guidance (e.g., travel, Trips and Tournaments, Photography Guidelines, Anti-bullying Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy Template);
  • Why certain roles require an Enhanced CRB check and how The FA CRB process works.
  • How to refer a concern about the welfare of a child.
  1. Communicate with
  • Your Youth League Welfare Officer
  • Introduce yourself, find out how they can support you and let them know what you are doing to safeguard children in your club.
  • Your County FA Welfare Officer if you need help or advice.
  • Coaches and managers about the importance of being consistent role models for their players
  • Parents and new players by getting involved with running start of season welcome sessions.
  • club officials about the RESPECT programme and its aims.
  • parents / spectators and get them to sign up to the RESPECT codes.
  • The FA by taking part in surveys, questionnaires, focus groups as and when asked.
  1. Encourage
  • coaches, team managers, first aiders/medics to complete The FA’s Safeguarding Children Workshop.
  • coaches and team managers to listen to their players thoughts, ideas and views.
  • the committee to make use of the RESPECT programmes designated spectator area at all games.
  • parents to complete the RESPECT education programme.
  1. Monitor
  • repeated incidents of poor behaviour and liaise with your committee, Youth League Welfare Officer or County Welfare Officer);
  • compliance with Enhanced CRB checks through The FA CRB Unit for those who require one using

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and passionate about junior football and wants to be part of a growing Club. If you would like to discuss the role more with us, please e-mail heatonstan@gmail.com.