FA Workshops

FA Safeguarding Courses

Training requirements for Associations with rep teams:

Staff Member RoleFA DBS requiredFA Safeguarding training (updated every 2 years)FA Welfare Officer Workshop
Association Welfare OfficerYesYesYes
Rep team manager / coach (practising teacher)YesNo, but recommendedNo
Rep team manager / coach (AOTT)YesYesNo
Rep team medic / physioYesYesNo
Association helper / driver / chaperone / assistantUsually yes, but check with NWOYesNo
Association Secretary / Chair / Treasurer with no active coaching roleNoNo, but recommendedNo
Parent helpers on an overnight tripYesYesNo

The FA’s Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Courses are football-specific courses which cover the FA’s policies and procedures for reporting concerns and look at scenarios related to football and the FA’s guidelines for safeguarding children.

Managers, coaches and assistants in County or District representative teams who are not practising teachers with annual safeguarding training MUST have an in-date FA Safeguarding Course to comply with ESFA affiliation requirements. For practising teachers, the FA Safeguarding Course is not mandatory, although it is best practice.

Association Welfare Officers MUST have in-date FA Safeguarding training and attend the FA Welfare Officer Course. Both of these courses are mandatory for all Association Welfare Officers, regardless of whether they are practising teachers.

ESFA Welfare Officer procedures may not be the same as in schools and it is important that County and District Associations with representative teams follow FA procedures on Child Welfare matters, to comply with ESFA affiliation policy.

Both courses can be taken at home, along with the Recertification of the Safeguarding Course.

You will need to know your FAN and password to log into the FA Bootroom to access the courses. If you are unable to access the FA Bootroom, please let us know and we will help you find your FAN. Emma Allen [email protected] Martin Duffield [email protected]


Available Course Information

Safeguarding Children Course

If you have not taken the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop previously, then this is the course you need to complete. It is an online course and you can do it in your own time. The cost is ÂŁ30 which includes the recertification course, which must be completed every 2 years.

The Safeguarding Children Course covers the following:

  • Why football needs to safeguard children
  • Best practice in football
  • Signs and indicators of abuse and poor practice
  • Action to take if you have concerns about the welfare of a young person
  • Your relationship and behaviour towards young players

You can find the FA Safeguarding Children Course here:

https://thebootroom.thefa.com/learning/qualifications/safeguarding-children-course


 Safeguarding Children Recertification

To keep your FA Safeguarding training up to date, you will need to complete the online Safeguarding Recertification every 2 years. It is a free course for those who have already completed the full Safeguarding Children Course (either online or previously face to face)

The course can be accessed online here:

https://thebootroom.thefa.com/learning/qualifications/online-safeguarding-children-re-certification


Welfare Officer Course

This course is only for those who have taken on the role of Welfare Officer for their District or County Association. It is a tutor-led online course and takes 2 hours. It costs ÂŁ25 and does not need to be renewed.

Please note – you must have completed the Safeguarding Children Course and have an accepted FA DBS before you can attend this course.

The Welfare Officer Course covers the following:

  • The role of the welfare officer and the safeguarding children network
  • Resources and support available
  • Key safeguarding legislation
  • Statutory agencies and role of The FA
  • Making referrals and dealing with poor practice
  • Action planning and creating an aware Association

Courses are available every week, both during the day and evenings and there are also some weekend courses. You can see available Welfare Officer courses and book online here:

https://thebootroom.thefa.com/learning/qualifications/welfare-officers-course


Other FA courses

FA Education also offers other courses and webinars, including the Playmaker, Emergency Aid and coaching courses which are accessed through the FA website here:

https://thebootroom.thefa.com/learning/qualifications/all-courses