Safeguarding and Protecting Children: A Guide for Sportspeople

Protect Children in sport and comply with Every Child Matters Legislation

Comply with government guidelines and legislation by following the clear and practical advice given in this fantastic resource.

Safeguarding and Protecting Children explains clearly how to:

• identify the foundations of safeguarding children in sport, good practice and child protection
• describe the different categories of child abuse and the impact of abuse on children
• recognise the signs and symptoms of each category of abuse
• identify the appropriate action to take if abuse is suspected
• recognise the roles and responsibilities of relevant statutory agencies
• If you are involved in sport with children or vulnerable adults this is an essential guidebook for you.

Every Child Matters Legislation

Organisations (including sports clubs), which have an involvement with children, have clear statutory duties to safeguard children's welfare. The government's Every Child Matters: Change for Children strategy (2004) describes every organisation's responsibility to ensure that the children in its care are healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and attain economic well-being. This resource written by experts in sport and child protection is widely recognised as the definitive guide to safeguarding and protecting children.

Section 1 - The Foundations of Safeguarding, Good Practice and Child Protection

• Introduction
• Code of Practice for Sports Coaches
• Implications for Coaching
• Implications for Your Club/Organisation
• Implications for Coaching Children
• Summary

Section 2 - Understanding and Identifying Signs of Abuse

• Introduction
• What Constitutes Child Abuse
• Truths and Myths
• Categories of Abuse
• Effects of Abuse
• Incidence of Abuse
• Identifying Signs of Abuse
• Summary

Section 3 - Taking Appropriate Action

• Introduction
• Dealing with Disclosures of Abuse
• Responding to Observations
• Sharing Your Concerns
• Dealing with Difficult Situations
• Responsibilities of Agencies/Organisations
• Taking Preparatory Action
• Summary

Section 4 - Where Next?

• Introduction
• Further Reading
• Safeguarding/Child Protection Workshops/Training
• Sports coach UK Contacts
• Other Useful Contacts

Appendices

• Appendix A: Criminal Records Checks - Guidelines
• Appendix B: National Occupational Standards for Coaching, Teaching and Instructing
• Appendix C: Further Information on the National Strategies
• Legislation and Guidance