Since it was first launched in January 2006, the majority of the "In Safe Hands" workshops for club child protection officer
have been organised by local sports and leisure development teams. However, the number of SGBs organising and promoting the
workshop for their affiliated clubs is on the increase, indicating a growing commitment from SGBs to support those who perform
this vital role.
Scottish Swimming, for example, offers a rolling programme of the workshop for club CPOs, while the Scottish Hockey Union,
Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Equestrian Association, Scottish Youth Football Association, Scottish Sub Aqua Club, Scottish
Athletics, Scottish Karate and the Scottish Football Association have all offered “In Safe Hands” to their member
clubs. In order to meet their own unique needs however, the different SGBs have taken a number of approaches to cascading
training for their club CPOs.
The governing body of Scottish Karate, for example, is in the process of appointing child protection officers in each of
its 32 associations and ran “In Safe Hands” throughout the month of October. Those who have been trained as association
child protection officers can then support affiliated clubs to have named and trained CPOs by offering an ongoing programme
of the workshop.
The Scottish Football Association’s quality mark club accreditation scheme currently includes a module on child welfare.
The SFA is supporting clubs to achieve this module by offering “Safeguarding and Protecting Children”, the three
hour sports coach UK workshop to all coaches and volunteers, as well as "In Safe Hands" to all club welfare officers.
If your club is affiliated to any of the above sports organisations, please contact the lead child protection officer for
details of any forthcoming training opportunities. If you are unable to access "In Safe Hands" through your SGB, please visit
our calendar of training dates at www.childprotectioninsport.org.uk/training_events.html.
