BECOME A WELFARE OFFICER

Last updated 6^th November 2023

All BF affiliated clubs & events must have a Welfare Officer in place.

If you are a club seeking to understand what the club needs to do, please see our Club Guidance page

Below are the steps that a Welfare Officer must have in place to be fully compliant.

1 HOLD A VALID BF MEMBERSHIP

The membership type can be Supporter or a level above that and renewed on a yearly basis. If it is not renewed, then you will show as non-compliant on the Welfare Officer register.

A valid membership ensures that you are covered by the BF Public Liability Insurance (subject to appropriate checks and qualifications being in place) and are bound by BF policies and Codes of Conduct.

2 HAVE A VALID UP TO DATE CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

Each Home Country has a different process for  criminal record checks.

If you are in England and Wales, once you have received your DBS certificate you will need to sign up for the online Update Service. This is free for volunteers and will automatically roll over every year. If you do not join the online Update Service, you will have to send your original DBS certificate to BF by recorded post and apply for a new certificate in 3 years.

3 ATTEND THE REQUIRED TRAINING FOR WELFARE OFFICERS

In order to show you have an understanding of safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk in the sporting context you need to have attended the required training.

BF will grant a 6 month “in training” period for identified volunteers who already have a criminal record check and a Core Safeguarding training certificate (or Home Nation equivalent). 

All the certificates must be uploaded by you to the BF Membership platform (Sport80).

BF courses can be found on our upcoming courses page. Additional courses will be run on-demand, so please contact us if you can’t find a suitable course in your area.

4 ASK YOUR CLUB SECRETARY TO ASSIGN YOU AS THE WELFARE CONTACT ON THE SPORT80

The person who has permission on the Sport80 platform to assign roles is the Club Secretary.  Ask them to appoint you as the Welfare Contact for your club. If you need help in this process, please contact BF.

5 REQUEST TO BE ADDED TO THE BF WELFARE OFFICER REGISTER

Please contact the BF Development Team and ask to be added to the BF Welfare Officer Register. As a minimum you must have a valid criminal record check, a Core Safeguarding certificate (or Home Nation equivalent) uploaded into your Membership profile and be booked into attending Welfare Officer training course within the following 6 months.

6 REVIEW EXISTING CLUB WELFARE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

If these exist, they should be provided by the club as part of your induction. BF Welfare policies and guidelines may of help to creating your own versions.

If you have any queries then please contact BF