Safeguarding in Sport Resources
The Safeguarding in Sport service has produced a number of free resources that will equip people and groups with the tools to ensure children and young people stay safe and have fun in sport. These resources are for coaches, volunteers, child protection officers – anyone really, who provides sport to children and young people.
Further advice on any issues covered in these resources is available from Safeguarding in Sport – please call us on 0141 418 5674 or email us. If you require a copy in another format please get in touch. If you are looking for our newsletter, please click here.
10 Steps to Safeguard Children in Sport
The 10 Steps are a collection of guidelines, good practice, practical advice, template procedures and policies – all tools which can help keep children safe in sport. They:
- are for any club, sports governing body or organisation which provides activities for children under 18 years
- can be used to look at what you already have in place, confirm the positives and identify any gaps
- can help a new member of staff or volunteer taking on the role of a child protection officer to understand the range of responsibilities, procedures and guidelines.
It is important to recognise that the 10 Steps are inclusive of the Minimum Operating Requirements for protecting children in sport. They also take account of updated child protection guidance, practice and legislation.
Stay Safe & Have Fun leaflet
Stay Safe & Have Fun in Sport (PDF document, 3.8MB) is a leaflet for children and young people to raise awareness about their right to be safe while playing sport. It suggests where children and young people can find help and support if they are worried about something. ‘Stay Safe and Have Fun in Sport’ has been written and designed with the help of children and young people. Suitable for all children and young people 10 years and over. Contact us to order printed copies. Please note there is a nominal charge for this resource to cover print and postage costs.
Anyone handing out the leaflets to children and young people may find the guide to distributing leaflets (PDF document, 2.4MB) useful. Safeguarding in Sport would always recommend that leaders and coaches be on hand to answer any questions from young people as the leaflets are handed out.
Stay Safe & Have Fun poster
Sports clubs and organisations can now download a poster (PDF document, 3.6MB) that can be placed on notice boards to inform parents, children and young people, club members and the public about their commitment to child protection. For a guide to filling in the poster, please click here (PDF document, 2.6MB).
Play Sport, Stay Safe DVD
This film, produced by the NSPCC and CHILDREN 1ST, can help sports organisations boost their child protection knowledge. Safeguarding in Sport has issued sports governing bodies and local authorities with a DVD which they can copy for clubs and interested parties. Alternatively, you can view the film online here.
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme – Briefing
This briefing paper for sports clubs and organisations (Word document, 1.6MB) sets out the background and main issues for sport regarding the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. This scheme replaces the disclosure arrangements and applies to many people working or volunteering with children. The briefing covers the background to PVG, eligibility to join, implementation and how to determine whether someone in your organisation is in ‘regulated work’.
Help and advice
Don’t forget that Safeguarding in Sport itself is a resource for anyone working with children and young people in sport. Call us if you need help or advice on things like:
- Child protection
- The welfare of a child or young person
- Child protection training
- Policies and procedures
- Recruitment of coaches and volunteers
- The conduct of a coach or volunteer.
To find out more:
- Download our service leaflet here (PDF document, 1.2MB)
- Download our service poster here (PDF document, 1.4MB)
If you work with clubs and groups then please let them know about Safeguarding in Sport by putting the poster up on any relevant noticeboards or including links to the Safeguarding in Sport website on your site.
