Every child and young person has the right to have fun, be safe and free from harm whether training for a local team, playing for a local club or representing their sport and country at international level. It is essential that sports coaches, leaders and the organisations they coach and run activities for adopt good practice when dealing with children and ensure that their safety is paramount. This creates a secure environment where children can enjoy sport, feel protected and empowered to make the most suitable choices.
Good practice guidelines are availble from the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU). Clubs and organisations should have a Safeguarding or Child Protection Policy in place and require coaches, leaders and others adhere to this. Organisations that do not have a policy in place can get advice from their National Governing Body (NGB), West Yorkshire Sport or the CPSU. A sample Child Protection Policy is available to download on the CPSU website.
It is recommended that all coaches receive some training in this area; the standard course for coaches is the 3hr sports coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport workshop. This will ensure all coaches are aware of current best practice, as well as showing how to recognise and respond appropriately to issues of child abuse and protection.
For coaches wanting to refresh or update their knowledge, a second course, Safeguarding and Protecting Children 2: Reflecting on Preactice is available. Currently coaches are being encouraged to refresh their safeguarding knowledge every three years.
An additonal course 'A time to listen' is available for an organisation's Welfare Officer and are usually run by the sports NGB.
Details of courses that are available in West Yorkshire can be found on our course calendar.
Some NGBs run a sport specific Safeguarding course, covering much of the same information and details of these will be available directly from your NGB. The important thing is for coaches to be aware of the issues involved and implementing best practice in their coaching.
Coaches who work with children and young people or vulnerable adults will be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. You need to do this through an 'umbrella body' For employed coaches this will be done through their employer. For volunteer coaches, this is free and is usually arranged through the club or organisation that they coach for or through the sports National Governing Body. Self employed coaches will need to arrange to submitt a CRB check through an umbrella body, further details of this and a search for umbrella bodies can be found on the Business Link website.
Your sports National Governing Body should have a Welfare / Child Protection Lead Officer who can offer support and advice. Clubs with a junior section should also have a Welfare Officer who will be able to provide advice and guidance on the club's policies and procedures.
The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) has a wealth of resourses and information on safeguarding for clubs and coaches. This includes good practice guides, template Safeguarding policies, and FAQs.
West Yorkshire Sport - further information on safeguarding for clubs and organisations can be found on the main West Yorkshire Sport website.
Local Safeguarding contacts - for advice and reporting concerns in each district.
As part of Every Child Matters the Government have produced a non-statutory guidance document entitled "What to do if you're worried a child is being abused". The guidance is available in a summary leaflet form and provides an excellent overview of who should do what and when, if there are concerns about a child's welfare. It is particularly useful in giving a full but concise overview of the whole referral process. www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
If you are a child or have concerns about a child, contact the free NSPCC 24 hour helpline on 0808 800 5000, or try www.achance2talk.com
Local Authority Social Care:
Help for children & young people: ChildLine 0800 1111
Help for adults: Help and Advice 0808 800 5000
West Yorkshire Police 0845 6060606