Safeguarding Children in Sports
Following recent events which have been reported in the press, we know that children and young people may face risks when undertaking sporting activities.
Safeguarding children in sport is vital to ensuring that children and young people have a safe and enjoyable experience. This then ensures that they gain the maximum opportunities and benefits afforded to them through their involvement , which will encourage them to remain involved in sport throughout their lives.
Everyone involved in sport, whether as a young person, parent, coach, or member of the management committee, has a part to play in ensuring everyone is safe.
Information for Parents and Young People
The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit offers guidance to help you choose the right sport club or activity for your child. Their what to look for in a sports club page suggests questions to ask of providers so you feel confident that they have proper safeguarding measures in place.
Keeping Children Safe in Out of School Settings
Most organisations providing activities for children don’t have to be registered or regulated by a statutory organisation; any person can work or volunteer at an out of school setting and private tutors don’t have to be a qualified teacher.
Have you checked how the tutor, activity group, sports club or setting your child attends is keeping your child safe?
The Department for Education have published guidance to help parents choose a safe setting for their child: Guidance for Parents and Carers on Choosing Safe Out of-School Settings (PDF, 440KB) and Questions to help parents and carers choose out-of-school settings (PDF, 523KB)
Information for Sports Clubs
Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance places a statutory responsibility on all organisations providing services to children, including sports bodies. In Chapter 2 of the guidance, it outlines each organisations responsibility for having appropriate arrangements in place, reflecting the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit also has a wealth of useful resources to support sports clubs and offers a Self Assessment Tool to help assess your organisation’s safeguarding practices and to assist in developing and implementing robust Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
The DfE have published guidance for out of school setting providers on how to keep children safe in out of school settings.
How CESCP can support your organisation
Cheshire East Local Safeguarding Children Board is keen to support all sporting organisations to provide a safe and fun environment in which children can flourish. You can get further advice by emailing CESCP@cheshireeast.gov.uk and we can help ensure your Safeguarding Policy achieves the required standards and is consistent with local arrangements for reporting concerns both about children and regarding allegations in relation to adults working with children.
We are also on hand to discuss your training requirements and can offer bespoke courses (at cost) to support organisations if required. Email the training team to discuss your requirements.
Further information
For further information about safeguarding in sport email CESCP@cheshireeast.gov.uk