English Schools' Football Association

Monday 1st February will see Panorama focus on the ‘Vetting and Barring Scheme’. The FA has been advised the debate will focus on the Ups and Downs, Plusses and Minuses of this scheme for society.

It will feature an eight person debate, essentially looking at all the criticism’s of the VBS and the issues it throws up. In the shaping of this programme, Panorama have been in consultation with the Home Office whose stance is “if one child is protected, then the scheme is positive”; whereas others will argue about the unattended consequences and where this scheme won’t work.

Panorama want to identify which issues are serious and which are less serious, including looking at some of the media reporting, which has been inaccurate and highly emotive, such as parents taking their friend’s children to school with pre-agreement being subject to the Scheme, which as we all know is untrue, etc.

This is likely to raise interest and possibly more questions from the football community, however, The FA’s / ESFA’s stance and guidance remains clear:

• Continue with the current Adults other than Teachers (AOTTs) / CRB processes - www.esfa.co.uk/childwelfare
• Ensure new AOTTs working within Schools’ Football are CRB checked immediately
• Ensure AOTTs helping in Schools’ Football that do not yet have a CRB check has a check as soon as possible
• Ensure that County / District Association Welfare Officers have an FA CRB check and have completed Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer training
• Follow FA guidance on reporting concerns. The FA Case Management Team will then report relevant and significant concerns to the new Independent Safeguarding Authority
• The Scheme does not become mandatory until November and this is only for certain groups, as there is a phased roll-out plan. The FA will provide guidance on the Scheme roll-out in football for the new season

The FA’s holding statement is available on TheFA.com. For further information please click on the following link -

http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/Written%20Reasons/VBSHoldStateJan10.ashx/VBSHoldStateJan10.pdf

If you have any questions please contact the ESFA Child Welfare Officer.