October 2006 Archive News:

Safeguarding & Protecting Children Update

The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) has been working in partnership with sports National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) over the past five years to support them in the development of child protection policies, procedures, guidance, resources and training. This has raised standards and helped to promote good safeguarding practice and challenge practice that is harmful to children in sport. 

With support from DfES and DCMS, the CPSU extended its work in 2004 to support the safeguarding elements of the National School Sport Strategy. The CPSU is now working with the afPE to promote communication, consistency of safeguarding practices between Education and the sport sector.
 
It has become apparent that few within Education or the statutory agencies are aware of the commitment demonstrated by many sports organisations to safeguarding children and implementing child protection initiatives and developments in sport sector. Agencies may lack confidence in working in partnership with the sports sector and fail to share information with sports organisations in the interests of protecting children.  Many sports have also supported development of club accreditation schemes such as Clubmark that ensure minimum safeguarding standards are in place. These include use of CRB checks, the appointment of designated officers and access to safeguarding training for coaches. The CPSU has developed the 'National School Sport Strategy Protocol for Safeguarding Children' that has been endorsed by both DfES and DCMS. This protocol provides guidance on the management of safeguarding concerns that may arise when a school and club are working together. 
  
For more information about Safeguarding Children in Sport and the work of the CPSU go to: www.thecpsu.org.uk

 National School Sport Strategy Protocol for Safeguarding Children