Safeguarding Event New

Safeguarding CPD event

On 30/10/18, London FA hosted their first ever Continuous Professional Development (CPD) event for Youth Club and League Welfare Officers.

Safeguarding CPD event

On Tuesday 30th October, London FA hosted their first ever Continuous Professional Development (CPD) event for Youth Club and League Welfare Officers.

The event was held at Lewisham & Southwark College from 7pm-9pm. London FA’s Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs), Yasmin Dyer and Nikeeta Patel, were joined by DSO’s from Middlesex FA and the AFA.

The purpose of the evening was to provide our local welfare officers with information on DBS Checks, RESPECT, and Managing Complaints and Investigations, with Nikeeta and Yasmin presenting on RESPECT.

In addition to this, it was an opportunity for the 3 County FA’s to thank their Welfare Officers for all the hard work they do throughout the season in safeguarding our young players, coaches, referees and other volunteers.

With three quarters of the attendees at the event from London FA affiliated clubs and leagues, it also gave many of our Welfare Officers the opportunity to meet our Safeguarding Team for the first time.

During the second half of the evening, we were joined by guest presenter, Paul Hannaford. Paul is an ex-gang member, who spoke about his childhood, his passion for football, his drug addictions, and his involvement in a gang. Paul’s story is harrowing, yet hugely inspiring. Paul has turned his life around, but for many who end up involved in drugs and gangs; sadly this isn’t always the case.

Paul now visits schools and football clubs across the country to talk to children about his experiences, in a bid to prevent them from getting involved in drugs and gangs.

We have received some fantastic feedback from the event, which will now be used to help us to shape the next Welfare Officer CPD event which is being planned for February 2019.

The link to the presentation which was delivered on the night, including the section on Managing Complaints and Investigations which will now be re-scheduled for a future CPD event, can be found below.

For further information on Safeguarding, Welfare Officer CPD Events, and guest speak Paul Hannaford, please contact us at Safeguarding@LondonFA.com