Welfare Officers can now benefit from a range of educational workshops between now and April, including four brand new, locally-tailored Welfare Officer Workshops.

Designed for new Club Welfare Officers, or as a refresher for existing ones, the online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops have been unveiled for grassroots welfare officers to provide useful information on subjects including mental health, social media and listening to under 18s. The training available to book includes:

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

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: Wednesday 10th November 2021, 6:30pm
Cost: Free (Book Online)

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)

Supporting and Listening to Under 18s

Objectives: To maximise safeguarding. A key factor is to engage with those who the policies and procedures are designed to protect… under 18s. In this workshop, methods for how to engage and seek the thoughts of the under 18s in your club will be explored. Ideas and suggestions for how to engage with under 18s, and what other clubs have implemented, will also be shared.

Designed For: All Welfare Officers
Date: Tuesday 7th December 2021, 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)