What do you need to do?
- Contact your National Governing Body of Sport or Local Authority sport development team to see what support they offer around safeguarding children and adults at risk. Check with your governing body before undertaking any safeguarding training as some governing bodies only recognise their own.
- You need a child protection policy in place. We suggest you have a conversation with your National Governing Body to find out how you can adopt their existing Child Protection Policy to your Club.
The WCVA also have some great resources and info on their site – including Code of Conduct guidance and template, alongside Safeguarding Policy and template.
If you’re a small organisation or are not affiliated with an NGB – get in touch with the WCVA.
- You should also agree a protection policy that focuses on adults at risk. Take a look at the guidance here.
- Appoint a Club Welfare Officer
- If not the Club Welfare Officer, make sure there's always someone who the club members can trust and approach to talk about any concerns.
- You should have a written Code of Conduct showing what is required of staff, volunteers and members. Download a Coach and Committee Code of Conduct template here. Or, check out WCVA for more generic examples.
- Your club should ask for signed parent's consent and emergency details when you register new members.
- Make sure you help keep children, young people and adults at risk safe online. You can find out more about how to do this in 'Stay Safe Online'.
Can we get some training?
There is lots more information on safeguarding children available at the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit website. If you need guidance on safeguarding vulnerable adults at risk, you can find it on the Social Services Improvement Agency website.
