Child Protection

Guidance and Templates
Independent Safeguarding Authority Factsheets
Links 

Sport can have a very powerful and positive influence on people - especially young people. Not only can it provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement; it can also develop valuable qualities such as self esteem, leadership and teamwork.

These positive effects can only accrue if sport is in the right hands - in the hands of those who place the welfare of all young people first and adopt practices of support, protection and empowerment. Over recent years particularly, sports organisations are becoming increasingly aware that some individuals who want to harm children will use sport as a medium to gain access to young people. All sports have a duty to safeguard children from abuse within the sport.

The Welsh Sports Association is committed to working in partnership with its constituent members - National Governing Bodies of Sport in Wales - to ensure that information and training opportunities are in place to deliver best practice when working with young people.

The Association is committed to developing policy and implementation procedures to allow young people to excel in a safe environment and transmit a reassuring signal to parents that will also have a positive impact on recruitment into sport.

The Association's approach to child protection is based on the principles recognised within UK and International legislation and Government guidance. The following has been taken into consideration:

• The Children Act 1989
• The Protection of Children Act 1999
• Working Together to Safeguard Children and Young People (Department of Health et al 1999)
• The Human Rights Act 1998

The Association is committed to working with its partner organisations - The Sports Council for Wales and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) (Child Protection in Sport Unit - CPSU) to raise awareness about the needs of children in sport and how National Governing Bodies of Sport, and their member clubs can act to minimise the risks to children in their care.

The Association aims to do this in full consultation with its NGBs and in a manner which is perceived to be practical and, realistic and whilst the Association's role is a non prescriptive one, the needs, care and welfare of youngsters participating in sport can never be compromised.

With its partners, the Association's key aims in respect of child protection are:-

• To ensure that all Welsh Governing Bodies have in place child protection policies and procedures that reflect the Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport.
• To ensure that all Welsh Governing Bodies have in place a child protection policy implementation plan that reflects the standards for safeguarding and protecting children in sport.
• To ensure that all Welsh Governing Bodies are equipped to promote the principles and standards for safeguarding children in sport to relevant partner organisations
• To ensure all Welsh Governing Bodies have access to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) Criminal Records Unit (CRU)

Here you will be able to download useful documents and example forms in relation to child protection.  

Guidance and Templates
 Free CRB Checks for Voluntary Organisations (WCVA)
 Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (CPSU)
 Defining Child Abuse (CPSU)
 Club Guidelines for Safeguarding Children in Sport (CPSU)
 Good Practice for Safeguarding Children (CPSU)
 Example Child Protection Policy (NSPCC)
Photographs and Images of Children (CPSU) 
Use of Electronic Communication (CPSU)
Managing Challenging Behaviour (CPSU)
Guidelines on Staffing/Supervision Ratios (CPSU)
Sharing Sensitive Information (CPSU) 
Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy & Procedure (CPSU)
Induction Booklet Sample (CPSU)
Letter to Parents (CPSU)
Medical Details and Consent Proforma (CPSU)
Rights and Responsibilities Matrix (CPSU)
Action Planning Sheets (CPSU)
Sample Policy Statement for Sports Clubs (CPSU)
The Role of Designated Officer (CPSU)
False Allegations (CPSU)

Independent Safeguarding Authority Factsheets 
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (ISA)
Barred Lists (ISA)
Employers Duties (ISA)
Regulated and Controlled Activity (ISA) 

Links
 Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)
 NSPCC
 Independent Safeguarding Authority

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