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CWO Message - Child Welfare

CWO Message - Child Welfare

Kevin Office26 Feb 2017 - 12:58
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https://www.tynemouthunitedfc.

CWO Letter regarding Tynemouth United Football Clubs dedication to Child Welfare.

My name is Doug Leitch and I have been the Club Welfare Officer (CWO) for Tynemouth United Junior FC for the last 9 years.

As the club has grown so much over this period and with the number of players increasing it was essential that an Assistant CWO be appointed. Hugh Collins who currently runs one of our Under 18 teams and the Under 9’s, kindly volunteered to help out. His contact number is 07841 161642.

We have both undertaken additional, Safeguarding training over and above what every coach does because of the role we fulfil. We are ultimately responsible for the welfare of all children playing under the Tynemouth United banner.

As Welfare Officers we liaise with parents, children, coaches, Northumberland FA, the FA and outside agencies such as NSPCC and CEOP should the need arise.

In the light of recent revelations in the media surrounding historic child abuse allegations within football I thought it very important that I re-assure you of how seriously we at Tynemouth United take our responsibility in looking after your children when you leave them in our care 2/3 times each week.

All coaches are obliged to undertake a Safeguarding workshop which covers all aspects of Safeguarding children with a particular slant towards football. This qualification has to be renewed every 3 years for their Coaching Badge to remain valid. Any changes to procedures in the interim period will be cascaded to them at regular Managers meetings.

When coaches or assistants volunteer to work with Tynemouth, they all sign up to a “Code of Conduct” and are regularly reminded of their responsibilities at the regular Managers meetings. The executive committee works extremely hard to ensure that we provide a safe environment for your children to enjoy playing football.

Most importantly, before coaches or assistants are allowed to work with your children alone they must have applied for and have an accepted Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) certification. Again this must be re-applied for every 3 years to maintain their coaching qualification. It is my role within the club to administer this and I tend to commence the renewal process approximately 6 months before expiry of the previous one. The NFA also oversee this and regularly remind both the Club and the coach when renewals are due.

The DBS process itself is administered by the GB Group PLC on behalf of the FA. It involves checks of the Police National Computer (PNC), other Police Records, cross referencing ID with say the Passport Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA). Not until everything has been satisfied will the certification be accepted. Should something untoward arise after this then the club would be notified via the FA allowing the appropriate action to be taken.

As you can see before any coach is able to work with children within our club we make sure all the rigorous checks are undertaken in line with FA guidelines.

I hope that by giving you an insight into what we do and how seriously we take our responsibilities that your minds have been put at rest somewhat. No process is ever fool proof, however by remaining ever vigilant and following the FA guidelines we minimise the risks.

If at any time you have concerns about anything relating to the welfare of your child do not hesitate to contact either me or Hugh.

Yours Sincerely

Doug Leitch
Club Welfare Officer
Tynemouth United Junior FC
Tel 07564 236228
e-mail dougl1956@blueyonder.co.uk

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CWO Letter - Child Welfare

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