Club volunteers are being asked to #PlayYourPart in demonstrating what it means to be an FA Charter Standard Club by completing the Annual Health Check Process now the window has opened for the 2017/18 season.

Any Charter Standard Clubs who received their accreditation prior to 1st July 2017 have until Tuesday 20th March to complete their Annual Health Check via the online FA Whole Game System. For the majority, the policies and documentation evidenced when applying for Charter Standard status don’t change, so the process serves as a reminder of which qualifications and Criminal Records Checks (CRCs) need updating, progressing or renewing.

Charter Standard Leagues and clubs have a huge part to play across the game of football as they are proven to grow and retain more teams and players. They create a fun, safe and inclusive environment for volunteers to thrive and for players to develop. In addition, they have potential access to more funding opportunities and better facilities but, most importantly of all, they share The FA’s vision to ‘Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation’.

This season’s Annual Health Check Guide, available below, covers all the information clubs need to complete the process, making sure clubs continue to satisfy the criteria and action plans around evidencing or completing qualifications. Additional resources can also be accessed to support the process, including:

Acceptable Ofqual First Aid Qualifications: This list shows what The FA will accept as a first aid qualification for adult FA Charter Standard criteria purposes. Evidence needs to be accompanied by a completed FA Emergency Aid (now known as the ‘FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football [IFAiF]) Bridging Document.

FA Emergency Aid Bridging Document: This document should be read and acknowledged by the named individuals within adult teams who hold an acceptable first aid qualification which is not the FA Emergency Aid (or IFAiF) qualification.

Safeguarding Children Online Recertification: This guide explains how individuals who need to renew their Safeguarding Children Certificate can do so online.

Recognition of Prior Learning: This pathway explains how the existing FA Youth Award qualifications for coaches fit within the new Coach Education Pathway and identifies their next steps to continue their coach education.

Club Development Plan: This is for clubs to use as a template to highlight areas of development over a three-to-five-year period. It recommends meeting with County FA Development Officers for extra help, highlighting initiatives which can support the plan.

For additional assistance in accessing or completing this season’s Annual Health Check, please contact your local Football Development Officer or browse the documents below. Grassroots football news and information is also shared on Twitter @EssexCountyFA and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.