38 Welfare Officers attended a free Essex County FA training and development event discussing knife crime and youth mental health, which took place on Thursday 3rd October at the Wickford Collaborative Learning Centre.

The evening consisted of three sections, covering topics very much on the safeguarding agenda. These included a ‘Knife Crime and County Lines’ briefing delivered by Colchester United FC and a ‘Youth Mental Health’ session, explaining what might trigger mental illness, what it looks like in a young person and how to include parents and carers.

This was followed by ‘Youth Experiences in Football’, examining the effects of poor practice plus how to educate parents and carers. Helen Hever, Designated Safeguarding Officer for the Essex County FA, was delighted by the success of the seminar.

She commented: “The feedback was positive, and the speakers were acknowledged as being very relevant. The first two sections were current for different reasons. Mental health is very much in the media, with many agencies and individuals supporting various campaigns.”

“Our session specifically related to under 18s. It is always important to reinforce the importance of positive conduct at matches, so George Harriet and Rhys Elmer's final session covered touchline behaviour and the impact poor behaviour can have on a young referee.”

“We would definitely try this type of event again. I'd like to thank many people for the success of the event, including the speakers and the venue, and I must also praise the remarkable commitment our dedicated Welfare Officers show to youth football.”

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