Earlier this year Bucks Sport carried out a needs analysis of people who have taken on the role as welfare/child protection officer within sports clubs/organisations (a big thank you to all those who completed the needs analysis). The overwhelming majority of respondents identified that they would like to receive further training/support in relation to their role and would like a mechanism by which they could remain updated on latest welfare/child protection legislation, guidance and good practice. We hope this newsletter will provide you with this opportunity and that you will find it a useful resource.
In this edition of the newsletter we cover the following:
• Information & Legislation update including information on the new Vetting & Barring scheme due to be launched next year which will have implications for any individual working with children/young people in either a voluntary or paid role including those working in sports clubs
• Safeguarding/child protection training including specific training for club welfare officers
• Safeguarding/Child Protection Resources for your club/organisation
• Have your say…please let us know what areas you would support/advice on in future editions of this newsletter
Information/Legislation update
Vetting & Barring Scheme
Following the Bichard enquiry that took place after the Soham murders a new ‘Vetting & Barring’ scheme aimed at preventing unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults will be launched in the autumn next year.
The scheme will require any individual who would like to work in a paid or voluntary capacity with children or vulnerable adults to register. It will become illegal for;
• an individual to work with children/vulnerable adults without being a member of the scheme
• an employer to employ someone to work (regardless of whether work is pad/voluntary) with children/vulnerable adults who is not a member of the scheme
Details of the scheme are still being finalised but to date the following have been confirmed:
• Individual’s will apply to the scheme through completion of an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check which will then be checked by a registered body (this is identical to the current process for completion of CRB checks)
• The cost of the CRB check will continue to be £36 but there will also be an additional one off payment to become a member of the scheme. Both of these will be free to volunteers as long as they are not working in any paid capacity with children/vulnerable adults.
• Employers/individuals will be notified of the outcome of an individual’s application to join the scheme within 5 working days. CRB checks will continue to take longer and employers will need to decide if they are happy to employ/deploy individuals prior to receiving CRB clearance
• Scheme renewals will not be necessary as the status of individuals will be continuously updated on receipt of new information, such as convictions, and employers will be notified if the status of their ‘employee’ changes.
• Individuals will be provided with a scheme membership number and new employers will be able to carry out a free on-line check to ensure the individual is a scheme member
• The scheme will be implemented through a phased approach from Autumn 2008. No further details on the phases are available at the moment.
This scheme obviously has implications for all involved in ‘employing’ people to work with children in either a paid or voluntary capacity and in particular for those working in the voluntary sector (e.g. sports clubs). We will continue to keep you updated with any updates on the scheme when they are released together with any news from National Governing Bodies of Sport. In the meantime, if you would like further details about the scheme please visit www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/independentsafegaurdingauthority
Training
Club Welfare Officers
Taking on the role of welfare/child protection officer can at times be daunting especially if you have little or no experience in this area and are unconfident about the role and responsibilities that you have. The Child Protection in Sport Unit, in conjunction with the NSPCC have produced workshop to help individuals who take on this role to understand their role/responsibilities and to ensure they have the basic knowledge to fulfil the role effectively. ‘Time to Listen’ is a 3 hour workshop that is delivered through some National Governing Bodies of Sport including Rugby and Cricket and it is hoped that other NGB's will be in a position to deliver it in the future.
In the meantime, and following requests made by a number of welfare officers who completed our needs analysis earlier in the year, Bucks Sport will be hosting a workshop for club welfare officers in September (7-10pm weekday evening). The workship will cover the role and responsibilities of someone taking on this post as well as information/updates of recent legislation changes. If you would like to attend this workshop please register your interest by sending an e-mail to info[at]buckssport.org or calling 01296 585215
scUK Safeguarding & Protecting Children in Sport (formerly Good Practice & Child Protection) This 3 hour workshop is appropriate for anyone working with children/young people in sport. Learn how to Protect yourself, the young people you are coaching and your employer by understanding and following good coaching practice. Learn about child abuse and how to handle situations if you have concerns. Attendance at this workshop is also a requirement for any club wishing to gain its National Governing Body or Sport England Club Accreditation. There are a number of these workshops running across Bucks & Milton Keynes in the next 8 months:
- Wednesday 5th September 2007 - Olney
- Wednesday 19th September - Chesham
- Tuesday 16th October 2007 - Aylesbury
- Thursday 8th November 2007 – Denham, South Bucks
- Thursday 6th December 2007 – Milton Keynes
- Tuesday 11th December 2007 – High Wycombe
- Monday 14th January 2008 - Amersham
- Wednesday 6th February 2008 – Aylesbury
- Thursday 6th March 2008 – Milton Keynes
- Wednesday 12th March 2008 – High Wycombe
All of the above workshops will take place 7-10pm. For further information including costs please contact info[at]buckssport.org or visit www.buckssportnews.org
Resources
Safeguarding in Sport leaflets
Bucks Sport is currently in the process of producing a series of ‘Safeguarding in Sport’ leaflets specifically designed to give information to parents/carers, clubs, coaches and young people about ways to keep themselves safe in sport and also to provide information about what to do if they have any concerns about the welfare of children/young people. Copies of these leaflets will be available in the Autumn.
Sportscheck
A step-by-step guide to help sports clubs develop a child protection policy and procedures and recruit volunteers safely. In order to assist sports organisations in the implementation of their child protection policy the Child Protection in Sport Unit have reduced the price of Sportcheck from £29.99 to £10.00 plus postage and packaging £5.00. Total price of £15.00. Visit www.thecpsu.org.uk for further details.
Safesport Away
If you are taking children from your club on an away fixture or on any other trip, whether for a day, weekend or longer, it is important to plan ahead to ensure their safety and well-being while in your care. To help organisations do this, the Child Protection in Sport Unit and ASA have produced this clear, practical guide to the key points to remember. Visit www.thecpsu.org.uk for further details
Have your Say!
We are keen that this newsletter contains information and updates that are useful to you. Please let us know if there is anything in particular you would like advice/support/updates on in relation to safeguarding/child protection and we will do our best to oblige. You can e-mail us (info[at]buckssport.org) or contact the Bucks Sport Safeguarding Officer on 01296 585219.
If you have not received this newsletter directly from Bucks Sport and would like to receive it in the future please send an e-mail to info[at]buckssport.org to request this.
