Recruitment

Football relies heavily on the time and commitment freely given by volunteers and without this the opportunities for children and young people to participate would not exist.  We recognise that there is often a difficulty obtaining volunteers, but believe that the recruitment and selection of volunteers is an essential part of ensuring that children/young people continue to enjoy football while remaining safe.

The IFA recommend that clubs/centres will ensure good recruitment procedures by;

·Defining the role the individual is applying for.

· Insisting that a person applying for any post to either work directly with children/young people or manage those who work directly with children/young people within the club/centre completes the club/centre application form which includes a self- declaration form.

Ensuring the individuals agree to undertake an AccessNI vetting check (click here for more information.

·Obtaining 2 references in writing (the request for references will only be sought for preferred applicants). Click here for sample reference form.

· Setting a probationary period (6 months is recommended for staff or long term volunteers)

 Two members of the club/centre meetingtheindividual to;

­· Assess theindividual’s experience of working with children or young people and knowledge of safeguarding issues.

­· Assess their commitment to promoting good practice

·Assesstheir ability to communicate with children and young people (i.e. be approachable).  One way of doing this is to consult children and young people or ask questions to examine how a person would respond to a particular scenario e.g. are they authoritarian or too relaxed in their approach.

What the IFA is doing

The IFA has registered with AccessNI to assist in the recruitment process of its staff who work in regulated activities (regulated activities include the instructing, coaching or supervision of children, young people and vulnerable adults).  The IFA has introduced a system to ensure that it will not issue any further coaching awards to individuals without the completion of a successful AccessNI vetting check.  This procedure helps to assess the suitability of a coach/volunteer to work with children/young people.  By using the AccessNI vetting service, the IFA is reassuring parents/guardians that those working with their children do not have a known history of harming children.  This vetting should also reassure our staff that those they are working alongside are, to the best of the IFA’s knowledge, appropriate to work with children/young people.

From July 2010, it will be a mandatory legal requirement for clubs/centres to vet all staff, coaches and volunteers who work/volunteer in a regulated activity.*  The IFA has registered with AccessNI as an Unbrella Body, in order to offer this vetting service to all affiliated clubs/centres.  For further information, please contact the Child/Player Welfare Department.

* Regulated Activity- Instructing or coaching children/young people will be viewed as a ‘regulated activity.’

Statement of non-discrimination

The IFA is committed to equal opportunity for all applicants including those with criminal convictions. Information about criminal convictions is requested to assist the selection process and will be taken into account only when the conviction is considered relevant to the post.  Any disclosure will be seen inthecontext ofthejob criteria, the nature of the offence and the responsibility for the care of existing clients, customers and employees.  Any information which the IFA receive will be treated confidentially, and will be discussed with the individual beforetheAssociation makes a final decision.  After that decision is made the information will be destroyed.  The disclosure of a criminal record or other information will not debar you from registration/appointment unless the IFA considers that the conviction renders you unsuitable.  In making this decision, the IFA will consider the nature of the offence, how long ago it was committed and what age you were at the time and other factors which may be relevant.