A range of online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops are being well-received by grassroots Welfare Officers, who are accessing useful information on subjects including policies and processes and engaging with a club’s membership.

Welfare Officers can now benefit from a range of educational sessions between now and April, including brand new, locally-tailored Welfare Officer Workshops. Designed for new officers, or as a refresher for existing ones, the training available to book includes:

* Essex County FA Welfare Officer Workshop
* Mental Health (Under 18s Workshop Delivered by Young Minds)
* Risks of Social Media (Includes Good Practice Guidance)

A free Essex County FA Welfare Officer Workshop for new Club Welfare Officers took place online on Wednesday 10th November. Then, on Tuesday 7th December there was another free online event for all Welfare Officers, entitled ‘Supporting and Listening to Under 18s’.

The objective was to maximise safeguarding, with a key factor being to engage with those who the policies and procedures are designed to protect. Methods for how to engage and seek the thoughts of the under 18s in clubs were explored. Ideas and suggestions for how to engage with under 18s, and what other clubs have successfully implemented, were also shared.

The vast majority of the sessions are free of charge, and places can now be reserved below. You can also find out more about safeguarding grassroots football by following @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.

Essex County FA Welfare Officer Workshop

Objectives: To share local and specific welfare/safeguarding details for new Welfare Officers in Essex. Amongst other areas, you will gain:

* insight into safeguarding infrastructure in the Essex County FA and other safeguarding agencies
* helpful hints for how to implement and share your role within the club
* policies and processes within the club
* insight on how to handle complaints
* engaging with your club’s membership

Designed For: New Club Welfare Officers (or as a refresher)
Date: Thursday 20th January, 6:30pm
Cost: Free (Book Online)

Designed For: New Club Welfare Officers (or as a refresher)
Date: Wednesday 16th March 2022, 6:30pm
Cost: Free (Book Online)

Mental Health (Under 18s Workshop Delivered by Young Minds)

Objectives:

* develop a shared understanding of mental health and the risks and protective factors which impact upon young people
* consider how trusted adults can promote young people’s mental health
* explore ways to promote positive mental health and resilience within our settings
* recognise the importance of looking after our own wellbeing

Designed For: All Welfare Officers
Date: Wednesday 23rd February 2022, 6:00pm
Cost: £20 (Book Online)

Risks of Social Media (Includes Good Practice Guidance)

Objectives: To update on the latest messages within the online and offline world, including:

* dangers and pitfalls under 18s should be aware of
* latest updates in this area
* tools available to the club in handling social media

Designed For: All Welfare Officers
Date: Wednesday 27th April 2022, 6:30pm
Cost: Free (Book Online)