female referees

Referee Safeguarding

WELCOME TO THE AMATEUR FA REFEREE SAFEGUARDING PAGE

Here you will find all of the important information and documents that you may require in order to comply with FA Safeguarding Policies, alongside the Amateur FA Safeguarding Policy where we offer our support and guidance to you as Match Officials. 

Get in Touch

Visit our HELPDESK to find answers to our frequently answered questions, including safeguarding contact details.

If your query cannot be answered, please submit a ticket.

You can also visit the FA Grassroots Technology Forum for help with FA IT systems.

Get in Touch

Visit our HELPDESK to find answers to our frequently answered questions, including safeguarding contact details.

If your query cannot be answered, please submit a ticket.

You can also visit the FA Grassroots Technology Forum for help with FA IT systems.

FA DBS Checks

If you need to complete an FA DBS Check, please click on the link below to download the guidance on completing the process. Please follow the instructions in the document carefully as it contains all of the information that you require. Once you have completed the application, please contact a member of the team in order to verify your selected documents. If you have any issues, please contact the Amateur FA office.

Instructions for completing a dbs application

safeguarding children course

Please follow the link and book onto a Safeguarding Children Course if it has been communicated to you that you need to complete the course.

safeguarding children course

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN RE-CERTIFICATION

Please use the above link if it has been communicated that you need to complete the Safeguarding Children Course Re-certification. It is important that you watch all the videos, tick all the boxes and answer all the questions fully in order to generate your certificate at the end of the course.

Online safeguarding Re-certification

For further information on refereeing as a young referee and helpful information, please click on the links below.

a guide for under 18 referees

amateur fa youth zone

CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING YOU’VE SEEN OR HEARD?

Tell an adult you trust if you are concerned about something you have seen or heard, if something doesn’t feel right, or if you are worried about comments someone has made to, or about, you via text or social media.

It’s really important that if you are concerned about your own safety, or the safety of another child or young person, that you let a Designated Safeguarding Officer know as soon as possible to ensure we can support you.

If you or someone else is in immediate risk of harm, then this should be reported to the police via 101 or 999 phone numbers.

You can also contact Childline for advice and support on telephone 0800 11 11 or go online to 
www.childline.org.uk/get-support/

DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

It’s really important that all matchday disciplinary matters are reported to The FA as soon as possible. In most cases, this is a simple and speedy process that can be completed online. 

However, should you need assistance in compiling a report, contact the Amateur FA’s Referee Development Officer at
referees@amateur-fa.com

In the unlikely event of a very serious disciplinary matter, you may wish to speak to somebody about it. Our Referee Development Officer or Designated Safeguarding Officer can be contacted for advice and support.

FEEL THREATENED?

In the unlikely event, you feel threatened whilst refereeing, your own safety must be your priority. Find a supportive adult and ensure you can leave the venue safely. Avoid doing or saying anything that might make things worse. 

At the first opportunity please report these events to our Disciplinary and Safeguarding department. Our Referee Development Officer will contact you when they have been informed about the incident.

ATTENDING A DISCIPLINARY HEARING?

During the course of your refereeing career you may need to attend a disciplinary hearing to give evidence. Don’t worry about this as you will be offered guidance and support by a member of the Discipline team. 

If you are under 18 we take your age into account and ensure the environment is relaxed and not threatening in any way. Referees under 16 can be accompanied by a parent/carer or colleague. If they prefer, our Referee Development Officer or Designated Safeguarding Officer can be on hand to offer this assistance.

personal hearing guidance for under 18s

INCLUSION

If you have an impairment or believe there are restrictions in place preventing you from fully accessing and enjoying refereeing then you need to inform us. Football is inclusive and that applies to refereeing too. 

If you would like to chat about this please contact the Referee Development officer or Designated Safeguarding Officer and we can help to remove the barriers to your full participation.