Q: What can organisations do to safeguard children
in sport?
Every organisation involved
with children and young people has a responsibility for their protection and well being – a duty of care. Here are the
measures that organisations should put in place to safeguard children from harm:
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A child protection policy and a procedure outlining what to do if there
are concerns about a child’s welfare or safety.
-
It’s a good idea
to designate a Child Protection Officer- someone who would take the lead role
in ensuring everyone in the organisation is following the policy.
-
A rigorous recruitment and selection process for paid staff and for volunteers who work with children. This should include
interviews, references and Disclosure Scotland checks.
-
A written Code of Conduct which outlines good practice when working with children. An environment which allows bullying,
racism, sexism or discrimination in general is not acceptable. There should be clear guidance about what behaviour is inappropriate
in a relationship of trust between an adult and a young person. Specific guidance should be given where personal or intimate
care tasks are carried out, for example, with very young or disabled children.
-
A training plan for staff and volunteers and regular opportunities for all those in contact with children to learn
about child protection and about health and safety. Staff and volunteers should be aware of the indicators of abuse and what
to do if they have concerns about a child. Otherwise policies, however good in theory, will not be acted upon.
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A 'whistleblowing' policy. That
is, an open and well-publicised way in which adults and young people can voice concerns about abusive or unethical conduct
in the organisation. It takes courage to challenge inappropriate behaviour by colleagues and people need reassurance they
will be supported, provided information has been reported in good faith.
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Ways of making sure that the safeguards that have been put in place are working. This should be through the day-to-day
supervision of staff and volunteers and through periodic monitoring and review.
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A protective culture that puts children’s interest first. Children must feel confident that if they have
concerns someone will listen and take them seriously.
-
Information for young people and
for parents about the organisation's child protection policy and where to go for help and how to complain, should the need
arise.
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Policies on bullying and on health and safety.
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Processes for dealing with complaints
and for taking disciplinary action where necessary.
Q: Where can I get help in writing a child protection
policy for sport?
Many sports organisations
now have child protection policies in place which you can use to help you develop your own. If your organisation is affiliated
to an umbrella organisation (e.g. an Scottish Governing Body, Scouts, etc.), check with them to see if they have a policy
that you can adopt (some will require this as part of affiliation). If they do
not, a good starting point is the CHILDREN 1ST and sportscotland's guidelines
for developing a policy [view], which is a template that you can adapt. Many local authority Sport and Leisure
Departments also have templates as part of their club development programmes. You
can find contact details by clicking here.
RECRUITMENT
Q: What is Disclosure Scotland?
Disclosure Scotland is a
service designed to enhance public safety by providing potential employers and the voluntary sector with criminal history
information on individuals who apply for posts which involve positions of trust such as working with children or vulnerable
adults. Disclosure Scotland is responsible
for issuing 3 levels of certificates - known as Basic Disclosures, Standard Disclosures and Enhanced Disclosures. The certificates give details of an individual's criminal convictions or state that they have none.
See www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
Q: For FAQs about Disclosures and Disclosure Scotland click here
Q: How do we go about getting
volunteers Disclosure Scotland checked?
The Central Registered Body
in Scotland (CRBS) provides an avenue for free Disclosure Scotland checks for
volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is a
good idea to check first if there is an umbrella body that can process disclosure checks for you, such as your National Governing
Body, your Local Sports Council or your local Volunteer Centre. This would save
you some of the paperwork involved in registering directly with the CRBS. See www.crbs.org.uk
Q: For more FAQs about the CRBS click here
Q: For FAQs about Disclosures and the CRBS click here
Q: For FAQs about registering with CRBS click here
Q: Can we appoint someone under supervision while their Disclosure Scotland check is pending?
In the document; Guidance to the Voluntary Sector on Who needs to be Checked
Against the Disqualified from Working with Children Lists, [View document as pdf] the Scottish Executive advises that it is possible
to appoint someone while their Disclosure Scotland check is pending. Organisations considering this are advised to ensure
the full recruitment process has been completed, appropriate supervision is in place and to conduct a risk assessment of the
specific position. The individual should also be advised that they would be committing an offence themselves (in terms of
the Protection of Children (Scotland)
Act 2003) if they are disqualified from children and apply for any work in a child care position.
It is recommended that organisations
await the return of the Disclosure Certificate before appointing.
Q: Do under 16s who help out at a club with children have to be disclosure checked?
If their remit falls into a
'childcare' position, as per the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003, then yes, an enhanced disclosure would need to
be carried out.
It is not recommended however, that a person under 16
years of age be asked to take up a childcare position. Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, they are defined as children
themselves and do not reach maturity until they are 16 years old. This is not to say that a child can't help out at a club
- it should be encouraged from a personal development perspective and to encourage new volunteers for the future. If they
do however, they should be supervised by a qualified person who has been appropriately disclosure checked.
Q: How can children be more involved in our sports club?
There are many ways that
children and young people can be actively involved in their club beyond just participating in activities.
One of the key elements
in child protection policy and procedures is a code of conduct. If your club does not have one or you are planning to update,
consulting with children can be very positive and provides the opportunity for
them to contribute. Young people can be asked to come up with details for their own code of conduct and perhaps also what
they expect from the coaches and volunteers working with them. All children, young people, coaches and volunteers can then
sign up to the codes of conduct and agree to follow them. Other areas of involvement can include club committee duties, fundraising
and planning activities. For example, could your club have a youth representative on the committee or develop a youth committee
in addition to the adult committee? If your club is in need of funds for buying equipment or going to a special event/trip,
children and young people can have excellent ideas for sponsor events or fundraising! Have you struggled for activities for
social events or has training become repetitive and boring? Asking the children for ideas or supporting them to organise activities
can be very motivating for them and boost their confidence and self-esteem, while also providing you with new activities they
will really enjoy!
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER
Q: What is a Child Protection Officer (CPO) and
what is their role?
A CPO is a designated
person in the organisation who should be the main point of contact for issues relating to child protection. Their role is generally to co-ordinate the implementation of child protection policies and procedures. Tasks may include disseminating information about the policies and procedures to those
working with children and young people, as well as informing parents, children and young people themselves; implementing reporting
and recording procedures; maintaining contact details for local child protection agencies and so on. There is an example of a CPO’s role and responsibilities in CHILDREN 1ST and sportscotland's guidelines for developing a policy [view].
Q: Does someone need to have qualifications to become a CPO?
Many who volunteer to be the CPO may already
have a qualification and previous experience in child protection, for example in their ‘day’ job. This is not, however, a necessary pre-requisite as there is training available for anyone who wishes to
take on this role in their organisation. We would recommend that the person has
completed the Sportscoach UK Good Practice and Child Protection workshop first before going on specific CPO training.
More about training courses
The CPO should have good communication skills,
an understanding of the need for confidentiality and an degree of independence.
Q: Is it true that that the Child Protection Officer for a club
can’t be a coach?
No. It is preferable that the CPO is someone who
is not involved in coaching so that they are seen to be ‘independent’ and able to challenge coaching practices
where necessary. However, many clubs are run by one or two volunteers who often ‘wear several hats’. Ensuring
that there is someone who has the lead responsibility for children protection is the most important thing.
