Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility within grassroots football – and referees play a significant role in keeping under-18s safe.

With the football season underway, Liverpool County FA is contacting all registered referees with details of their responsibilities and requirements when it comes to safeguarding.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

A referee is an impartial figure and is able to see how teams and clubs manage, and keep under-18s safe. Referees have an opportunity to demonstrate best practice on and off the field and to recognise and refer concerns. As a role model to young players and referees, this is important.

Recognising the important role a referee plays and the need to keep everybody up-to-date with safeguarding awareness, The FA is now requiring match officials to RENEW their safeguarding training EVERY THREE YEARS. This will ensure referees are in the same position as, for example, licensed coaches.

Who has to retake safeguarding training?

Referees in youth football AND observers, coaches and mentors operating below Supply Leagues.

Referees who officiate in open age football only and observers, coaches and mentors who operate only in Supply League or above WILL NOT be required to renew their safeguarding qualification.

What safeguarding training do match officials have to do?

This will depend on the type of training last completed.

Referees who have only ever taken the online course for Under-16s, the old DVD ‘The Guide’ or the Child Protection in Football course WILL need to take the face-to-face three-hour Safeguarding Children Workshop when three years have expired.

Those who have previously attended a Safeguarding Children Workshop will be able to take the free online recertification course.

What do I have to do?

The safeguarding training will be valid for three years from completion. Upon expiry, referees will then be required to renew your safeguarding training. For any referees requiring understanding what they will be required to do, please email david.horlick@liverpoolfa.com

To access the online recertification course, please CLICK HERE

If you need to attend a Safeguarding Children Workshop, please CLICK HERE to see a list of dates and to book.

When do I have to do this by?

Referees’ safeguarding training must be in date in order to register for the 2020/21 season. However, Liverpool FA advises that referees complete their training as soon as possible.

CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS (CRC, also known as DBS checks)

Up until now, there has been no requirement for eligible match officials to have an in-date CRC at all times. If has been sufficient to have one only at the point of registration.

However, referees in youth football AND observers, coaches and mentors operating below Supply Leagues are now required to have an in-date CRC at all times.

Referees who officiate in open age football only and observers, coaches and mentors who operate only in Supply Leagues and above WILL NOT be required to have an in-date CRC at all times.

Guidance on how to renew your FA CRC can be found by CLICKING HERE

You can log in to Whole Game System and the ‘My Account’ page will show a referee’s current CRC status.

If you believe that our records are incorrect, or if you have any questions regarding referee safeguarding credentials, please contact Dave Horlick, Referee Development Manager at Liverpool County FA, via david.horlick@liverpoolfa.com or call 0151 523 4488.