Welfare Card

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES REGULATIONS GOVERNING

 THE FAW WELFARE CARD

 

In accordance with its commitment to the safety of children, young persons and vulnerable adults, the FAW will provide a system of identification of individuals who have completed a designated background check to the satisfaction of the Association.  These Regulations set out the nature, qualification criteria, use, authority over and all other details relating to such a system.

 

1 Nature of the FAW Welfare Card

 

1.1 The FAW will put in place a system of issuing identification cards to all individuals who meet the criteria as set out by the FAW in these Regulations.

 

1.2  The FAW Welfare Card (the Card) will contain details of the bearer’s name, address, date of birth, the date on which the bearer completed a designated background check, the Area Association in which the bearer resided at the time the Card was issued, the expiry date of the Card, the bearer’s FAW Number and any FAW qualifications held by the bearer.

 

1.3  The Card will contain a recent photograph of the bearer.

 

1.4  The Card will provide an area for the bearer to sign the card.

 

1.5  The FAW will control and regulate all aspects of the design and production of the FAW Welfare Card.

 

2  Qualification for the FAW Welfare Card

 

2.1 The FAW will only issue a Card to an individual who has undergone a designated background check to the satisfaction of the FAW. 

 

2.2  The Card does not bestow on the bearer any qualifications or licence other than to confirm that the bearer has undertaken a designated background check to the satisfaction of the FAW.

 

2.3  There is no requirement for the bearer to hold FAW qualifications.

 

2.4  All individuals who are defined as being in a “Position of Trust” or a “Regulated Position” in football must undertake all required steps to obtain a FAW Welfare Card. 

 

Use of the FAW Welfare Card

 

3.1 The FAW Welfare Card is intended to demonstrate that the bearer has complied with the FAW’s requirements regarding a designated background check.  Therefore, the Card must be worn during all football related activity where the bearer comes in to contact with children, young persons or vulnerable adults.

 

3.2  The FAW Identity Card does not give the bearer any additional rights of access to grounds, changing rooms or any other environment which they would not normally have access to.

 

Authority over the issuing and removal of the FAW Welfare Card

 

4.1 The FAW Welfare Card will be issued by the FAW.

 

4.2      Conversely, only the FAW can remove or invalidate a FAW Welfare Card.

 

4.3 Should a card holder be subject to disciplinary action for a breach of the FAW Welfare Regulations, terms of the FAW Welfare Policy and Procedures and the appropriate codes of conduct, the relevant disciplinary body (i.e. an area association or league) shall copy to the FAW the evidence upon which it relied and a copy of its decision relating to the misconduct charge.

 

4.4  In consideration of the disciplinary body’s decision, the FAW will have the right to withdraw the FAW Welfare Card from an individual.

 

4.5  On removal of the Card, the FAW will set the terms and conditions of revalidation of the individual’s Card. Such terms and conditions will be communicated to the individual concerned at the time of removal.

 

4.6  An individual will be required to surrender their FAW Welfare Card to the FAW when required to do so.

 

4.7  The FAW will issue to all relevant parties notice of the name, address and relevant Area Association of all individuals who have had a FAW Welfare Card withdrawn.

 

Non Specific Matters

 

5.1 When requested to do so by a designated Area, League or Club Welfare Officer in a footballing environment, the bearer must produce their FAW Welfare Card for inspection.  Any individual who fails to comply at the time of the request must be reported by the Welfare Officer to the FAW Discipline and Welfare Department.

 

5.2             Any individual within a Position of Trust or Regulated Position who fails to display their FAW Welfare Card when in contact with children, young persons or vulnerable adults, must be reported by the Welfare Officer to the FAW Discipline & Welfare Department.   

 

5.3  Any individual who is issued a FAW Welfare Card must comply with the FAW Welfare Regulations, the FAW Welfare Policy and Procedures and any codes of conduct issued in accordance with the FAW Welfare Policy.

 

5.4  A FAW Welfare Card which is defaced must be replaced.  The cost of the replacement will be borne by the individual concerned. A defaced FAW Welfare Card must be returned to the FAW when applying for a replacement Card.

 

5.5  Should an individual lose a FAW Welfare Card, the loss must be reported to the FAW Discipline and Welfare Department immediately.  The cost of replacing a lost Card will be borne by the individual concerned.

 

5.6  A FAW Welfare Card which has passed its validity date must be returned to the FAW before the FAW will issue a valid card in its place.

 

5.7  It is the responsibility of the FAW Welfare Card bearer to ensure that the details contained on the Card are correct.

 

5.8  The FAW Welfare Card is not proof of identity.

 

5.9  Any attempt to fraudulently obtain a FAW Welfare Card, or any fraudulent use of the Card will be considered an act of misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with FAW Disciplinary Procedures.

 

5.10            Any matter not specifically dealt with in these Regulations will be referred to the Secretary General and the National Welfare Officer for a decision.