For the effective implementation of the sport's child protection policy, it is essential that each association or club appoints someone to take on the rôle of Child Protection Officer (CPO) or Safeguarding Officer (SO). There is no objection to the appointee being the Secretary or Chairman. The appointment should be subject to annual review.
Clubs with insufficient members who are unable to appoint their own CPO/SO may seek the assistance of a neighbouring CPO/SO to act on their behalf.
Prior to this appointment it is strongly recommended that the person undertakes a Criminal Record Check at Enhanced Level through their NGB. The CPO/SO will be supported by a Case Management Group and the Joint Panel for the Protection of Child and Vulnerable Adults.
The Club CPO/SO acts as the first point of contact for anyone in the Club who has a concern about a child or vulnerable adult and about poor practice or possible abuse by anyone working with them.
Each Association CPO/SO (whether at National, Regional, County or Club Level) must have a formal rôle within the Association’s management structure. The Association’s CPO/ SO will require support from the Association, and designated training should be provided. The Association may wish to appoint more than one CPO.
The rôole of Association CPO/SO is critical in ensuring that the Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and Implementation Procedures work in practice. The Association CPO may also act as the first point of contact for anyone who has a concern about a child/ vulnerable adult and about poor practice/ possible abuse by anyone working with them. See Dealing with concerns and incidents. CPO/SOs therefore need to be perceived as being approachable and as having a child-focussed and/or vulnerable adult-focussed approach. CPO/SOs do not need to be child or vulnerable adult protection ‘experts’. That is the rôle of the statutory agencies (Police and Social Services).
The principal rôle of the person appointed as CPO/SO is to assist the association/club to meet its responsibilities by following the policies and procedures adopted for the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults participating in the sport.
In order to fulfil this rôle, the CPO/SO will ensure that
The CPO/ SO is expected to attend relevant training courses in child protection issues and practice conducted by NSPCC or SportsCoach UK to keep abreast of developments. Click here for details of suggested sources of training.courses.
This is a condition of appointment and will be at the association / club expense.
Details of the person appointed as CPO/SO must be notified to the County Association to facilitate exchange of information and periodic liaison meetings.
The knowledge to be acquired, skills to develop and tasks expected of the CPO or SOs at the various tiers of management and level are detailed below.
National Lead Child Protection Officers/ Safeguarding Officers: Knowledge, Skills and Tasks
| Knowledge to be acquired through Training | Skills | Tasks |
| Legislation, government guidance. National framework for child protection
Role and responsibilities of statutory agencies and LSCBs Planning processes – children ‘in need’ – child protection enquiries/ investigations Behaviour which is harmful to children – thresholds ‘poor practice’ – ‘abusive behaviour’ Own NGB role and responsibilities. Boundaries of Lead Officer role NGB’s policy and procedures related to child and vulnerable adult protection Core values/ principles of work with children and vulnerable adults How abusers target and groom clubs and organisations in order to abuse children and vulnerable adults Best practice in prevention. |
Child-focussed approach
Administration and systems (records) management Ability to promote and demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice Advice and support NGB – all levels within association (down to club level) Communication skills Ability to develop and produce national level guidance and resources Influencing skills and ability to work with conflict and with emotionally distressing matters Recommended: Ability to deliver core child and vulnerable adult core protection training through different levels within the NGB and associated associations and clubs |
Lead role in development and establishment of the NGB’s approach to safeguarding children, young people and the vulnerable. Key role within the NGB.
Management of cases of poor practice/ abuse reported to the NGB, including records system. Management of referrals to Police and Social Services Central point of contact for internal and external individuals/ agencies Represent the NGB at external meetings related to child and vulnerable adult protection Co-ordinate dissemination of policy, procedures and resources throughout the organisation. Provide advice to Regional/ County and Club CPO/SO and a lead role in their recruitment, selection and training Advise on the NGB’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection training needs and development of its training and strategy. Provision of training where appropriate Maintain confidentiality re cases Lead role in maintaining and reviewing the NGB’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Implementation Plan Ensure ‘Standards’ are met. Keep up to date with own knowledge and skills. |
Source: NSPCC
Regional/ County Lead Child Protection Officer/ Safeguarding Officer: Knowledge, Skills and Tasks
| Knowledge to be acquired through Training | Skills | Tasks |
| Legislation, government guidance. National framework for child protection
Role and responsibilities of statutory agencies and LSCBs Local arrangements for managing child and vulnerable adult protection and reporting procedures Poor practice and abuse - Behaviour which is harmful to children and the vulnerable. Own Association’s role and responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and the vulnerable. Boundaries of CPO/SO role Association’s policy and procedures related to safeguarding of children, young people and the vulnerable Core values and principles underpinning good practice Awareness of equalities issues and child and vulnerable adult protection Recommended knowledge Basic knowledge of how abusers ‘target and groom’ clubs and associations in order to abuse children and the vulnerable. Best practice in prevention. |
Administration
Advice and support provision at all levels within association (down to club level) Child-focussed approach Communication skills Recording skills Ability to take responsibility for providing information about local resources such as written materials Promote NBG and Association’s policy, procedure and resources Recommended skills Ability to provide basic training on protection of children and vulnerable adult at club level where supported and suitably training by the NGB |
Assist the NGB and Association to fulfil is responsibilities to safeguard children, young people and the vulnerable at local level.
Assist the NGB and Association to implement its child and vulnerable adult protection plan at local level Maintain contact details for local statutory agencies Make links with local statutory agencies (Police and Social Services) and Local Safeguarding Boards (LSCBs) Liaise with Social Services and Police on individual cases where this is not done at National Level Provide advice and support to local clubs regarding protection for children and the vulnerable and poor practice Maintain locally held records related to poor practice/ child abuse cases (where not held nationally) Ensure confidentially is maintained Advise NGB regarding local contacts/ procedures during child protection investigations Provide support networks for local Club CPO/SOs Provide resources and (where appropriate) child and vulnerable adult protection training for local clubs, coaches and people working with children and the vulnerable in sport. Promote anti-discrimination practice |
Source NSPCC
Club Child Protection Officer/ Safeguarding Officer – Knowledge, Skills and Tasks
| Knowledge to be acquired through Training | Skills | Tasks |
| Basic knowledge of core legislation, government guidance and national framework for child protection
Basic knowledge of roles and responsibilities of statutory agencies (Social Services, Police, Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB)) Local arrangement for managing child protection and reporting procedures Poor practice and abuse – behaviour that is harmful to children and the vulnerable. Own Club’s role and responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and the vulnerable – boundaries of the Club CPO/SO role. Own Club’s policy and procedures related to safeguarding children, young people and the vulnerable. Core values and principles underpinning practice Awareness of equalities issues and protection of children and the vulnerable. Recommended Basic knowledge of how abusers ‘target’ and ‘groom’ clubs to abuse children and the vulnerable. Best practice in prevention |
Basic Administration – maintain records
Basic advice and support provision Child and vulnerable adult focussed approach Communication Ability to promote club’s policy, procedures and resources Ability to provide information about local resources. |
Assist the NGB/ Club/ Association to fulfil its responsibilities to safeguard children, young people and the vulnerable at club level
Assist the NGB/ Association and club to implement its child protection plan at club level The first point of contact for staff, volunteers, parents and children/ young people/ vulnerable adults where concerns about their welfare, poor practice or abuse are identified Be the first point of contact with National NGB Lead Child Protection Officer Implement the NGB/ Association and Club reporting and recording procedures Maintain contact details for local Social Services, Police. Know how to obtain Local Safeguarding Children’s Board guidelines (formerly Area Child Protection Committee – ACPC) Promote the NGB/ Association/ Club’s best practice guidance/ code of conduct within the club. Sit on the club’s management committee Promote and ensure adherence to the NGB/ Association and Club’s child and vulnerable adult protection training plan Promote and ensure confidentiality is maintained. Promote anti-discriminatory practice. |
Source: NSPCC