Welfare Officers
Overview
Welfare Officers play a vital role in club governance and in ensuring that everyone involved in the sport is safe and supported. Scottish Fencing is committed to helping volunteers in this position by offering policy templates, resources, and guidance. We can also assist clubs in responding to incidents and advise on the appropriate next steps.
Anyone wishing to become a Welfare Officer must complete a Disclosure Check specifically for their role within the club. A disclosure obtained through another organisation is not sufficient. If a volunteer relies on a check from another organisation, Scottish Fencing—and therefore the club—would not be notified if they were barred or being considered for listing. Only the organisation that processed the original check would receive such updates.
Training Requirements
To become a Welfare Officer, volunteers must complete the following training:
Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport (CWPS)
Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer (CWPO)
Welfare Officers may attend British Fencing safeguarding courses; however, it is essential they complete sportscotland training first. Volunteers attending British Fencing training should be aware of the differences between the Scottish and English safeguarding systems.
ID Checks
A key responsibility of a Welfare Officer is to conduct ID checks for volunteers who require PVG applications. Further details about this responsibility can be found in the Recruitment Process Guide.
Before Scottish Fencing can process any PVG applications for a club, the Welfare Officer must return a completed ID Checker Agreement.
Acceptable Identification
Applicants must provide three forms of ID s:
One document with a photograph
One document showing their address
One additional document which can either have a photograph or an address
For example IDs could be a driver’s licence, passport, bank statement. Online documents may be also be used. The applicant needs to log in during the ID check to demonstrate access to their online account and then the ID checker can confirm their address.
When checking documents, Welfare Officers must ensure:
Full names are checked be careful of middle names, spellings, hyphens
Dates of birth match
Addresses are current
Please note: A Disclosure Certificate cannot be used as a form of ID.
Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport Tool
This free online tool provides clubs with a step‑by‑step guide to help meet best practice in safeguarding and child protection. The tool asks a series of simple questions and once these are completed it will:
Provide an instant overview of how well the club meets the Standards for Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport
Highlight areas for development
Provide links to helpful advice and resources
Allow the club to create its own action plan with assigned tasks
Clubs may revisit the tool at any time to review progress.
Children 1st childwellbeing and protection tool for clubs.
Low-Level Concerns
Experience across many organisations shows that early action in response to concerns can prevent more serious issues later. If you see or hear something that “does not feel right” or is not what you would expect from a coach, parent, volunteer, or adult associated with the club, this may be considered a low‑level concern.
If you notice something that raises a small doubt or “niggle,” you can discuss it with Scottish Fencing. Sometimes the issue may be resolved through retraining or by bringing the behaviour to someone's attention. Creating a club culture that listens to and responds to all concerns helps prevent poor practice from escalating into serious misconduct.
In the first instance, concerns should be raised with your club’s Welfare Officer.
If the Welfare Officer does not respond, or you believe the matter requires further action, concerns can be reported to Scottish Fencing’s Lead Safeguarding Officer using the Low‑Level Concern Form.
