With immediate effect the registration of all referees nationally is restricted to those who meet the appropriate requirements for Safeguarding Children.
For all referees aged 18 or over this includes a CRB disclosure through the FA CRB Unit and attendance at an appropriate awareness Workshop.
Referees aged 17 and under are not required to obtain a CRB disclosure though those aged 14 or 15 are required to undertake the Safeguarding Children Best Practice Guide (DVD) whilst those aged 16 or 17 are required to attend an appropriate awareness Workshop.
Existing referees who are registered by 1st March 2007 are able to apply for a CRB disclosure through the offices of the Gloucestershire Football Association where an appointment can be made in advance.
Existing referees are also able to undertake the awareness Workshop - Safeguarding Children Best Practice Guide - at home by the use of a CD/DVD. More details can be obtained from Roger Goodwin, Referee Development Officer.
New referees must meet the requirements of the FA Policy before they can be registered as active referees - this means that they are required to apply for a CRB disclosure and attend an awareness Workshop as appropriate for their age.
Referees with CRB disclosures or Workshop Certificates that are about to expire will be contacted directly from TheFA in respect of renewing their disclosure application and awareness training.