Policies and Procedures - For Sports Clubs/Organisations - LIVING SPORT

Policies and Procedures

Policies/Procedures

It is the responsibility of the organisation to ensure that the relevant policies are in place and that they are communicated effectively to everyone involved.

All sports clubs/organisations should have the following policies and procedures in place either separately or integrated within other documents:

Child Protection Policy

This should include:

• When and how to report a concern, allegation, disclosure about poor practice or possible abuse.
• Who to contact should a child welfare incident or concern arise
• Guidelines of collection by parents/carers (including what to do if a parent/carer is late when collecting a participant).
• If necessary guidelines in physical contact.
• Remember it is not the responsibility of the club/organisation to decide if a child is being abused but to act on any concerns you may have.

Code of conduct/behaviour

Codes of conduct/behaviour should be in place for; coaches, volunteers, spectators, parents/carers and participants. These should be promoted to and adopted by everyone concerned.

Health & Safety

This should include details of:

• Risk assessment procedures.
• Participants consent forms (including details of emergency contacts, medical history, special requirements and where necessary consent for photography and/or video to be taken).
• How to respond to an incident or accident.
• Who is contact/s should a health & safety concern arise.

Equity Policy/Statement

This should reflect that the rights, dignity and worth of everyone should be respected and everyone should be treated equally within the context of their sport. This should be reflected within the clubs/organisations constitution.

Recruitment and Screening

All sports coaches, leaders, officials, volunteers and paid staff who have direct contact with children and young people must be appropriately screened to establish suitability to work with this age group, this should include:

• The successful completion of an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check (NB: anyone declining a CRB check should not be allowed to work with children or young people) – Contact your Governing Body or visit www.crb.co.uk for further information.
• A minimum of 2 references are taken and followed up.
• Qualifications are checked.

Child Protection/Welfare Officer/s

All sports clubs must have a designated child protection/welfare officer in place.

There should also be a deputy officer to provide support.

The child protection/welfare officer/s should be responsible for the implementation of the child protection policy, and should have a specific role description in place.

The club/organisation should also ensure that the designated officer/s has the appropriate training and has support from the club committee.

Sports National Governing Bodies with provide advice and guidance to sports clubs on the role of the child protection/welfare officer.

National Governing Body (NGB) Officers

Most NGB’s have appointed a designated child protection/welfare officer. These officers can provide further advice and guidance to designated officers within sports clubs. Contact your NBG directly for details of the designated officer.

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