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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Policies on bullying and on health and safety.
- 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. a 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 a 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.
