Child Protection Policies, how does your club manage?

joelondon · #1 (**permalink**) 21-02-07, 10:42 PM

Hi there,

at my club we are in the process of working through our child protection policy and procedures etc, I just wanted to cast the net out for any specific info/procedures/policy statment or actions that are working for your club.

as you can appreciate this is something that requires certain skills and legal requirements so before we embark on reinventing the wheel at our club i thought i would ask any of you helpful souls out there for any info/ documents that are living and working.

any help would be appreciated.

joe

Murray · #2 (**permalink**) 22-02-07, 09:08 AM

GNAS provides guidance on this. Best thing to do is to get at least a couple of your members on a Child Protection Course, read the GNAS guidance, get those who work with the kids on a regular basis CRB checked and take it from there.

joelondon · #3 (**permalink**) 22-02-07, 10:15 AM

cheers Murray,

we have worked through the GNAS guidance notes and taken much on board, the threads intention was to get views on clubs interpretation of the guidance, whether they are undertaking a parent in attendance at all times policy, what people are specifically including in beginners course notes for parents, what procedures are being undertaken by clubs for non coach helpers in events such as beginners etc.

Just really wanted peoples experiences, practices etc - I work for an ISO9001:2000 company and it is amazing what interpretation of a standard/policy and the varying levels of comitment to a policy from covering the basics, through to bib n braces every eventuality covered.

cheers

Joe

simon m · #4 (**permalink**) 22-02-07, 10:38 AM

Joe try looking for the "safe to grow" policy which is implemented by scouts/boys brigade/youth groups.

It has some good guidelines. I was involved in focus groups who edited/discussed the first draft of that document.

Murray · #5 (**permalink**) 22-02-07, 10:39 AM

Ah ok. I didn't realise how far on you were with it. I'm not sure I can add much as laws in Scotland and England differ slightly, but:

As a club, we have a CP Officer and a CP assistant, of opposite sexes and a CP Policy which is communicated to all members through our website. That CPP includes guidelines on appropriate behaviour. All of our coaches are CRB checked and have attenedd CP training, and no one else assists with the juniors/vulnerable adults. Parents or responsible guardians must stay with the kids throughout each session, and we get the parents to sign the standard GNAS disclaimer before they start at the club.

I hope that helps?

ben tarrow · #6 (**permalink**) 22-02-07, 11:14 PM

Be aware that GNAS is now authorised to deliver child protection courses (but only to GNAS members).

This means that if you can find an authorised GNAS child protection instructor (some of the senior coaches are authorised) and there are enough of you want to do a course, GNAS typically charges £25 per COURSE.
Previously SortsCoachUK were the only official CP course providers and charged a whopping £25 PER PERSON.
Badger your CCO or RCO for more details