As many of you will be aware, Netball Scotland has taken an extremely proactive stance in supporting its affiliated clubs in creating a safe environment for all children and young people who participate in netball.
During the five years that the Child Protection in Sport Service has been in existence, we have seen a real culture change in sporting organisations across Scotland. In 2002, when the partnership between CHILDREN 1ST and sportscotland was first established, many people in sport feared that coaches and volunteers might have to deal with false allegations. People were also confused by the different pieces of legislation and caught up in the Disclosure Scotland process of who should and should not be checked.
Nowadays, training workshops such as ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’ for volunteers and coaches working with children and young people, and ‘In Safe Hands’ for Club Child Protection Officers, allow everyone to learn how they can play their part and the training helps alleviate fears and worries.
Sports organisations tell us that they are increasingly confident in moving away from the ‘stranger danger’ focus, and now recognise that a coach or volunteer may be the person a child trusts to share information with about something going on in their life. It is everyone’s responsibility to know how to listen and respond to any child or young person who shares their concerns.
The Child Protection in Sport Service works with sports organisations to help put in place appropriate safeguards to protect children and young people under the age of 18 years who play sport. The work of the service involves support through training and consultancy, provision of case advice and help in the development of policies and procedures.
The positive steps already taken by Netball Scotland include updating its policies and procedures for protecting children. (Child Protection Template for Clubs )
These address areas such as safe recruitment, to ensure that barriers are in place to prevent unsuitable people from using the sport to access children and young people, as well as guidelines on safe and best practice when transporting children or going on overnight stays. It is clear that for many years, some of these ‘official’ procedures have been common practice and it is not necessarily a big change to adopt the policies. Instead, the procedures ensure that everyone is aware of what to do in particular circumstances and know who to go to for help and support.
Netball Scotland is to be congratulated on the hard work it has put into this very important area of work. For the basics in protecting children to be established at national governing body level however, key individuals must drive this forward, and it is hoped and anticipated that everyone in netball will support each other and raise awareness to make these policies and procedures a part of everyday practice.
Information on the recently updated Netball Scotland Child Protection Policy and Procedures is available in the Member Section of this website (Child Protection )of this website or you can gain access by contacting the office on 0141 572 0114.
In addition to the support provided by Netball Scotland, the Child Protection in Sport Service can also help in a variety of ways. Visit us online at www.childprotectioninsport.org.uk for news, FAQs, (www.childprotectioninsport.org.uk/faqs.html.) training and event information, as well as resources and practice examples from a range of sports and organisations.
To receive updated information from our quarterly newsletter, e-mail the word ‘subscribe’ to cpinsport@children1st.org.uk, or call us on 0141 418 5674 for advice on a specific case or for further information on protecting children in sport.
Donna Martin
Child Protection in Sport Project Worker
CHILDREN 1ST
CHILDREN 1ST (the working name of the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) runs 6 national services including the free, confidential helplines: ChildLine (0800 1111) and ParentLine (0808 800 2222), as well as 40 local family support and abuse recovery services across Scotland. To find out more about our work please visit www.children1st.org.uk.