In assessing that suitability, children’s welfare is the paramount consideration.
Towards this, The Association has the power under the Safeguarding Children Regulations to issue a suspension where any one or more of the following applies:-
1. The individual fails to comply with any part of The Association’s Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Process;
2. The individual has been barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) from engaging in regulated activity relating to children;
3. The individual has been disqualified from working with children under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; 4. The individual is subject to any other restriction to their involvement with children due to an order made pursuant to statute;
5. The individual has been convicted of, or made the subject of a caution for, an “Offence” defined in paragraph 1 of the Regulations;
6. Following a risk assessment, The Association is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the individual poses or may pose a risk of harm to children.
General
1. (a) In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in the Schedules of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to
believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
(b) Where any case is referred to the Safeguarding Review Panel pursuant to these Regulations, it shall be considered by the Panel on the basis of written material only. No party shall be permitted to attend to address the Safeguarding Review Panel.
The Association ’s CRB Process
2. All persons applying for or currently in such positions that The Association deems relevant whose duties include regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in charge of children, must comply with the requirements of The Association’s CRB process. These requirements are:–
(i) To obtain an FA Enhanced CRB Disclosure; and
(ii) To provide any such further detail, explanation or clarification of any or all part or parts of that Enhanced Disclosure, or any matter revealed by it, as may be required by The Association; and
(iii) Where required, to provide at least two references that attest to their suitability to be involved in youth football. The spouse or partner of the person subject to this requirement cannot act as a referee for this purpose. Any reference provided by a spouse or partner will not be accepted; and (iv) To comply with each of the requirements set out in regulations (i) – (iii) above within any such time limit as The Association may stipulate.
Any person who fails to comply with any of the requirements set out in sub-paragraphs (i) – (iv) above shall be subject to an immediate suspension from football activity, on such terms
and for such period as The Association may stipulate.