1. HAMPSHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION GENERIC EDUCATION PRESENTATION SEASON 2019-2020

2. HFA Safeguarding Team
Ian Binks - Designated Safeguarding & Lead Respect Officer.
Connor Gates – Operations Administration Safeguarding & Respect
Callum Amos – Administration Support to Safeguarding.
Profile

3. HFA DSO Responsibilities & Objectives
Ensure every affiliated grass roots youth football Club in Hampshire has a designated person in place to Safeguard Children.
Deliver the Welfare Officer & Safeguarding Workshop Training.
Provide assistance to Youth League & Club Welfare Officers supporting them with the process of online accepted FA Criminal Record Checks (DBS Integration) for all personnel directly involved working with, supervising or coaching & training U18 Players.
Provide support, guidance and signposting to YLWO’s and CWO’s in relation to any Poor Practices/Safeguarding issues involving children and vulnerable adults. Make Referrals to FA Case Management.
Lead Respect Officer for raising standards and addressing any poor behavior in grass roots football within Hampshire in conjunction with the respect programme launched at the beginning of the 2008/9 season.

4. AIMS/OUTCOMES Discipline & Sin Bins
Children’s Football Playing Time – Objectives
Pre Season Meeting (Parents)
Safeguarding & Criminal Records Checks
Social Media
Respect Campaign
Discrimination/Equality
Youth Forum/Junior Committee
Adults V U16 (Lads V Dads)
Club Emergency Action Plan
Reason for workshop and explain areas that will be covered including outcomes

5. OBJECTIVES
To provide Clubs with important information to assist with their administration and advise on best practice procedures.
To outline Discipline procedures and Sin Bins.
To provide clarity of playing time –Club Objectives.
To provide clarity on FA Criminal Records Checks and Safeguarding.
To provide some clarity regarding Discrimination.
To provide guidance when using Social Media Platforms.
Encourage Clubs to embrace the Respect campaign so that the football experience can be thoroughly enjoyed by all in a safe, fun environment.
To encourage Clubs to set up a Youth Committee/Junior Forum.
To explain that Lads V Dads football is not Best Practice.
Reason for workshop and explain areas that will be covered including outcomes

6. Discipline Jurisdiction
Governed by FA Rules
Two key Rules to remember:
-FA Rule E3(1) (page 287 of the Hampshire FA Handbook)
“A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”
- FA Rule E3(2)
“A breach of Rule E3(1) is an ‘Aggravated Breach’ where it includes a reference whether expressed or implied, to any one of more of the following:- ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability”.

7. -FA Rule E20 (page 294 of the Hampshire FA Handbook)
“Each Affiliated Association, Competition and Club shall be responsible for ensuring that its directors, players, officials, employees, servants, representatives, spectators and all persons purporting to be supporters or followers, conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and refrain from any one or combination of the following: racist, violent, threatening, abusive, obscene or provocative behaviour, conduct or language whilst attending at or taking part in a Match in which it is involved, whether on Its own ground or elsewhere.”
(b)
That no spectators or unauthorised persons are permitted to encroach onto the pitch area, save for reasons of crowd safety, or to throw missiles, bottles, or other potentially harmful or dangerous objects at or onto the pitch.

8. Appealing a County FA Decision
A participant charged will be able to lodge an appeal against any decision of a County FA, the minimum threshold has been removed and so all decisions found Proven, are subject to appeal by the Participant charged.
All suspensions imposed following a misconduct charge commence 3 days after the date of the hearing with an intention to appeal having to be made within those 7 days. The full written submissions are still required within 14 days of the written decision. Any appeal outside of these timelines will not be accepted.

9. THREATENING OR PHYSICAL OFFENCES AGAINST MATCH OFFICIALS
There are three categories of offence:
(a) Threatening Behaviour: words or actions that cause the official to believe that he/she is being threatened.
(b) Physical Contact or Attempted Physical Contact: e.g. participant pushes the referee, pulls the referee (or his clothing/equipment), barges, or kicks the ball at, the official causing no injury and/or attempts to make physical contact with the official e.g. attempts to strike, kick, butt, barge or kick the ball at the official
(c) Assault: participant acts in a manner which results in an injury to the official. This category includes spitting at the official whether it connects or not.

10. Mandatory Minimum Sanctions
To ensure consistency Nationally, mandatory minimum sanctions have been introduced, an individual who receives a charge below and if found proven, will face as a minimum the sanction below listed. A Commission can increase based upon the aggravating factors that are present. These are not an entry point.
 Assaults on a Match Official – 5 year minimum sanction
(2 years minimum if the player is under 16)
 Physical contact on a Match official - 84 days & £100 minimum
 Threatening a match official – 56 days/6 matches & £50 minimum

11. Abandoned Matches
If a Referee’s report indicates that a Match has been abandoned due to alleged acts of Misconduct of either team, the Affiliated Association shall without delay conduct an investigation in to the matter. 
Following the investigation, the Affiliated Association, may issue a Charge against the Club or the relevant Participants.
If you remove your players for safeguarding reasons, the above regulation will apply and the reason for your safeguarding concern would be used as your mitigation.

12. Not to be used in Futsal Matches
Temporary Dismissals
Mandatory for all Levels at Grass Roots Football – Step 5 -7 and below down to Mini Soccer
Not to be used in Futsal Matches
Cannot use powerplay when a player has been temporarily dismissed

13. Match Day Process Period in Sin Bin is:
10 Minutes for all matches of 90 minutes
8 Minutes for all other matches
Remember - No designated area: just back with management and subs
Period starts when play restarts
Referee includes any lost time
Where neutral Assistants are appointed they assist with timing

14. Match Day Process
Referee has final decision on when the player can return to play.
Does not need to be in a stoppage in play – Referee will only allow player to return away from current action.
A Player in the Sin Bin cannot be substituted until the period has expired and not at all if all substitutes have been used
If the period has not expired at the end of the 1st half, it continues during the 2nd half (or Extra Time)
If it has not expired at the end of Extra Time and there are kicks from the penalty mark – the player can participate

15. DISSENT
Has shown a lack of understanding amongst some Players and Managers as to what is Dissent.
Covered under Law 12 and is in the opinion of the Referee
A player is cautioned if guilty of dissent by word or action
Kicking the Ball away could be either Dissent or Delaying the restart – depending on context
Using offensive, insulting or abusive Language or Gestures is not dissent and is a send off offence
Responsibility of Clubs to control their players
The use of the Sin Bin gives the Management team the opportunity to calm the players down

17. Playing Opportunities – Club Objectives
The encouragement for boys, girls and youths from U6 age group through to U18 age group to enjoy and take part in football activities promoting the spirit of healthy teamwork with the ultimate aim of developing their football skills enabling them to get better.  
Following the FA Youth review of the Club Philosophy for mini soccer U7 through to U10 and 9 V 9 football at U11 age group is that children should be able to take part whatever their ability including where possible playing equal playing time with the best practice recommendation of at least 50% of time per player. Managers may have the discretion not to select players for non competitive matches where it has been identified that their progressive development has not reached a certain level whereby it could compromise their safety on the field of play.

18. Continued
The Club will help players understand the Laws of the game, develop their personal skills in the four corners of the game (Technical, Psychological, Physical and Social) enable them to be listened to and feel success. Whilst not forgetting they appreciate and demonstrate good sportsmanship, form relationships and work together as part of a team.  
As the aim of 9 V 9 football still primarily focuses on the development of the player rather than the result of the match the Club will uphold the Youth review principles throughout the 9 V 9 format of the game. Player selection for teams by the Managers should be IAW the guidelines set by the Divisional Secretary of the League.  
For U12 age group as results can be published Managers may choose to select players based on ability. If a Manager chooses this selection policy then parents need to be informed on signing the player(s) for the respective season. Depending on the number of Club teams within the age groups U13 through to U18 where appropriate grading should take place.

19. Pre Season Meeting with Parents
Provide a Club Welcome pack?
Why you volunteered to be a Manager/Coach?
What you will offer the children (Coaching, Training, commitment, development, dedication & time free!!)
Explain Playing Objectives in accordance with the Clubs ethos!
The help you’d like from parents (Assistant Referee/Respect Steward/General Help)!
Communication Protocols!
Turn up regularly for training on time with the correct equipment!
Leave the Coaching to me please!
Subscription payments!
You will be required to sign the Code of Conduct!

20. Criminal Records Checks:
The law requires that The FA does all that it can to prevent people who are barred from working with children in Regulated Activity, from becoming involved in football with U18s. A DBS Enhanced Criminal Record Check with Children’s Barred List tells The FA if a person is barred. The FA also use DBS Enhanced Criminal Records Checks for roles that are eligible. These checks help The FA to make informed recruitment decisions about the suitability of people with criminal records who are seeking to have a role with U18s football. In making its decisions on which roles are supervised and which are not, The FA has utilised the Government guidance, alongside the sport sector guidance on supervision, developed by the Sport and Recreation Alliance and the Child Protection in Sport Unit. Therefore, someone must not become involved as a volunteer until such time as their criminal records check is issued to an accepted status. Volunteering alongside another person who has an accepted CRC does not constitute the person who has not met the criteria (accepted CRC) being safe or even on the barred list!

21. Responsible Recruitment: ‘Getting the right people involved’
The Law
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Describes ‘Regulated Activity’ (who must have a check)
Allows The FA to see criminal histories
Prohibits barred people from working with children
Requires The FA to be fair to ex offenders
The FA
Requires Criminal Record Checks [CRC]
of people in ‘Regulated Activity’

22. Regulated Activity Consider what they do
Teaching, training, supervising, instructing, giving advice or guidance on well being, caring for children or driving a vehicle only for children (under18)
And how often they do it
Once a week or more
Four or more days in thirty day period
Overnight
And if it is unsupervised; Supervision means - on going, day to day, carried out by someone in Regulated Activity

23. Who must have a check?
Coach/Assistant
Manager/Assistant
Club Welfare Officer
Driver and first aider*
Parent-helper **
*depends on frequency
**depends on frequency and task

24. Club Affiliation for Season 2019-20
All youth teams (Under 18 and below) Managers and Coaches are required to have an in-date, FA accepted, Criminal Records Check (CRC) (within three years of issue date) at the point of affiliation. Managers and Coaches can be submitted without an in-date, CRC check, but affiliation cannot be approved by the County FA until they have an in-date CRC check (in line with FA regulations),
An individual cannot be the named manager/coach for more than four teams within the same club.
Commence renewal checks 2 months prior to renewal dates and where possible new checks 2 months prior to the season commencing! HFA receive a SOS monitoring report daily and challenge Clubs who are not compliant (Rule E14).
Online application will commence via the WGS very soon using same Club Org Pin. Once Clubs switch there will be no reversal.

25. Club Welfare Officer
Educate and guide club officials, coaches, first aiders to understand what their duty of care means.
Encourage their Club to listen to children.
Implement Policies along with the other Club Management Committee.
Roll out CRC applications & Manage the Club Safeguarding Portal.
Promote Best Practice and use FA Templates to achieve the aim.
Identify and support the Club to deal with poor practice and make referrals to the County FA DSO Team or a statutory agency.
Do you know who is your CWO???

26. Safeguarding Commitment
Clubs had to confirm that their records on the WGS accurately reflected all Team Officials, Managers, Welfare Officers and First Aiders working with children and young people at the Club.
The Club had to commit to ensuring that all Team Officials working with Youth teams have an in-date FA CRC with the DBS.
All Youth Teams must have a qualified Coach with in-date Safeguarding and Emergency Aid training and in-date FA CRC. (Charter Standard Accreditation)
Clubs had to commit to ensuring respective committee members complete online FA Safeguarding training for committee members prior to affiliation for season
All of the above is underpinned by monitoring and research to see if it’s making a
Difference to behaviour in the game.

27. Safeguarding Validation Visits
In accordance with County FA’s obligation to meet annually Safeguarding Operating Standards (externally audited) one of the requirements is for the CFA to reach out to a percent of Clubs each and every season to conduct a SG validation visit to ensure those named by the Club on the WGS are actually who they are? Also to identify if Club personnel including parents know the Club Welfare Officer and if they are aware of how to Whistle Blow if an organisation is deemed to be negligent with its processes and procedures to Safeguard Children.

28. Safeguarding Validation Visits
Manager/Coach to name the CWO and demonstrate they have the CWO as a phone and contact?
Ask any Parents present if they can name the CWO?
Ask what they would do if they had a Safeguarding, Welfare Concern about a child?
Ask what is the FA Safeguarding Whistle Blowing Policy?

29. If a Child makes a Disclosure
React Calmly! Take what they say seriously! Do not make promises not to tell! Make written notes of what they tell you! Ensure their immediate safety! Report concerns to CWO, HFA DSO, Police, Children’s services or call NSPCC 24 Hour Helpline.

30. Whistle Blowing The FA’s Safeguarding team safeguarding@TheFA.com
Alternatively you can go direct the Police or Children’s Social Care and report your concerns there.
NSPCC 24 Hour Helpline

31. I am a Qualified Coach Can I Coach at your Club?
Key questions Clubs should be asking the Coach?

32. Do you have an accepted FA CRC with the DBS?
What Coaching Qualifications do you hold and are you a member of the Licensed Coaches Club?
Why (specifically) do you want to Coach at our Club?
Can you provide References?
What is your Coaching Philosophy and where were you coaching previously?
Are you willing to undertake a 6 week trial period under supervision and then sign a Club Coaches Code of Conduct?

33. EQUALITY - DISCRIMINATION
Harassment: Under the Equality Act 2010 harassment is "unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individuals dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual", harassment is judged on the consequences of actions not on the intent.
Discrimination: The Equality Act 2010 defines direct discrimination as less favourable treatment because of a protected characteristic (PC) e.g.
"A treats B less favourably based on a PC"

34. Protected Characteristics
1. Race*
2. Sex (Male/Female)*
3. Religion or belief*
4. Sexual Orientation*
5. Gender reassignment
6. Pregnancy and Maternity/paternity
7. Marriage and civil partnership
8. Disability
9. Age*

35. Protected Characteristics
A useful point to note is that we all have at least 5 (noted above with *) of these protected characteristics - it is not just about protecting minority groups its about protecting everyone.

36. Social Media
Understanding what can and cannot be done on social media without breaching the Rules!
What do we mean by Social Media? - Facebook - Twitter - Snapchat
- WhatsApp

37. How are they reported to The FA?
Twitter –
All comments are public
Would you say it on MOTD
Would you want your mum to read it in the papers
Facebook –
Privacy settings
Are they really your friends?
No reasonable expectation of privacy
How are they reported to The FA?
The media
Members of the public
The participants

38. Aggravating Factors References to a persons:
What not to say
Comments which:
Are improper
Bring the game into disrepute
Are abusive, indecent and/or insulting
Make direct or indirect threats
Are about a Match Official which imply bias, attack their integrity and/or are overly personal in nature
Aggravating Factors References to a persons:
- Ethnic origin
- Colour
- Race
- Nationality
- Faith
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
Disability
Age

39. Important points to note:
Re tweeting and or clicking Like
Deleting and/or apologising
Responsibility for all postings
Civil action/Criminal action
Fake accounts
Process and Sanction
Observation request
- No set penalty

40. Examples Club Chairman Player Manager
“Wouldn't it be nice to get referees with balls the size of melons instead of peanuts sometimes. Another home ref today.”
Club Chairman
“So f****d off its crazy….if I knew where that ref lived id go there and smash his arrogant face in…#cheating b*****d”
Player
''The referee is in a good position but doesn’t give it. We have been let down by the referee once again. We do not like it when the referee messes up, but there is little we can do about it'‘
Manager

41. Possible outcomes from comments within the Social Media
Possible Action
Charge - Warning - Reminder
No Further Action
Possible Sanction
Warning
Fine
Suspension - Touchline/Stadium Ban
Permanent Exclusion

42. RESPECT We ONLY DO POSITIVE
‘We Only Do Positive’ is The FA’s new strategic approach to emphasise the role of parents and coaches whilst highlighting the importance of positive behaviours and environments – both on and off the pitch – for young footballers involved in mini-soccer and youth football.

43. RESPECT “We ONLY DO POSITIVE”
Originally launched in the 2008/09 season, the campaign’s new mantra of ‘We Only Do Positive’ aimed to improve behaviour on touchlines across the country by raising awareness of Respect amongst a new generation of parents, coaches, volunteers and players.
The campaign follows extensive research carried out during the 2017/18 season to understand the effect of negative behaviour at football matches from Under 7s to Under 18s level more clearly, focusing on where Respect interventions would be most effective.

44. RESPECT WE ONLY DO POSITIVE
The Season “We Only Do Positive” campaign was a great success, raising awareness with all adults by +21% …… and overall respect marks captured through Full-Time was 85% positive. This season the FA will be building on the success with new assets & VT’s which will continue to build on the “We Only Do Positive” campaign messages & getting it to the top of mind within youth football for the start of season campaign. To support the FA Respect Programme Hampshire FA are continuing with the requirement for all teams Home & Away to provide an adult Respect Steward for all youth football teams U13 age group and below.

45. Respect Steward
It shall be the responsibility of every U7/U8/U9/U10/U11/U12 and U13 teams (Home & Away) affiliated with a Youth Football League whereby the League is affiliated with Hampshire FA to provide a match Respect Steward (RS) for their football fixtures commencing Season Hampshire FA is aware that some leagues have mandated that all age groups they facilitate football for must provide a Respect Steward (RS).

46. Who should carry out the role?
Ideally Not the Manager or Coaching Staff.
An Adult who preferably is someone that is calm but confident in dealing with others within their own Club.
Try to keep the same person every week or a small group of people to carry out the role on a rotational basis.
Make sure they are known to supporters of your team.

47. Appropriate Attire for Club Respect Steward
The Respect Steward will be required to wear a fluorescent Hi Viz Jacket for the role

48. Responsibilities
Ensuring that their own spectators comply with Respect designated spectator area.
Remind own supporters of responsibilities in relation to Respect.
Support the Referee when dealing with any spectator related issue within your own team.
Use common sense and at all times be a visual point of contact for any concerns from the opposition (RS).
Dependent on League procedures the (RS) may assist to check registration cards or complete match result cards.
The FA Respect Programme must be considered by the (RS) at all times, and any issues should be reported to the League & County Association.

49. Designated spectator areas
Accepted Enhanced Criminal Records Check with the FA via the DBS
Managers, Coaches, Physios/ Medics, Substitutes, Referee Mentor
Assistant Referee No Go
Area No Go
Area
2 metres
Assistant Referee
Spectators/ Parents/ Guardians

50. Additional resources FA Codes of Conduct. FA Captain’s Guide.
thefa.com/get-involved/respect/play-your-part
thefa.com/get-involved/respect/resources
thefa.com/get-involved/respect/we-only-do-positive
Club Referee and Assistant Referee workshops can be arranged via the HFA Referees Development Officer

51. List of Club Policy Documents
Code of Conduct Youth Players
Code of Conduct Mini Soccer Players
Code of Conduct Parents/Spectators
Code of Conduct Coaches
Code of Conduct Officials
Volunteer Form working with young Children
Club Rules/Constitution & Data Protection
Safeguarding Policy
Equality & Diversity Policy
Anti Bullying Policy
Club Membership Consent Form
Emergency Aid/Health & Safety Policy
Highlight documents available to help, see candidate information

52. Adults V U16
The FA strongly advises against adults playing within youth football settings (Those where the child is under 16). The disproportionate skill level and physical size presents the potential opportunity for injury to the child/young person involved.
It is The FA’s experience that adults playing games within youth football in either training settings or so named ‘friendly matches’ (often historically referred to as ‘lads v Dads’ games) can result in injury. It should be noted that the injury of a player in such circumstances has in the past resulted in legal action being taken by the injured party against the offending player/adult and may fall outside the limitations of the clubs insurance.

53. Adults V U16
Whilst coaches may deem themselves to be ‘aware’ and skilful enough to avoid contact the risks of injury remain high. With the best of intentions; enthusiasm and effort on behalf of either party can and does result in physical contact. FA Learning coaching courses make it very clear that coaches are not to join in games when working with youth teams. Indeed such activity would be deemed in conflict with the Respect Code of Conduct for Coaches and leaves the coach open to potential claims against them!

54. Club Youth Forum/Committee
We have a Junior Committee at the Club. Our club has age range from 6-18 year olds and we try and get one player from each age group to join the Junior Committee. Recruitment is done by asking all players at the Club who would like to join. From the players asking to join if there is more than one per team a name is simply pulled out of a hat. If we have a lot of teams in one age group then we have two Committee members from that group. The players and parents are informed that the members will have additional duties and will have to give up some extra time and sign up to the role. It is also explained to the Junior Committee that they contribute towards the running of the club, every decision they make we try and accommodate to ensure they see a difference.

55. Emergency Action/Health & Safety Plans
Does your Club have one?
Can opposition teams be given visibility prior to fixtures?
Outline what to do in the event of an Emergency, Accident or Injury?
Do not insert personal data on the plan only specific venue information and protocol/procedures?
Considered a Best Practice initiative.

56. The Referee
The below figures come from the Premier League, but even at a lower level the demands on a referee are obvious:
Premier referee stats

57. Please do your BEST to respect the Referees.
Referees are human they will make mistakes remember its children’s football not the Premier League!!
THANK YOU
Any questions