Welfare

The welfare and well-being of all participants whatever their race, religion, sex, class, sexual orientation, age, disability or special needs is a key concern of Lincolnshire Sports Partnership.

The information contained in this section is designed to minimise risks and maximise enjoyment and is relevant to all those taking part, but particularly those groups who are most vulnerable.
Each week more than 8 million children in the UK take part in sport. They do so in a range of situations, from local groups to national competitions. But while most enjoy themselves in safety, a small number are at risk of abuse from individuals who choose sports work to gain access to children.

Lincolnshire Sports Partnership recognises the need to protect children and vulnerable adults from individuals who may abuse positions of trust and is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of all young people playing our sport.

In your work as a sports volunteer, there are a number of steps you can take to help safeguard children, young people and other vulnerable individuals. You can also play an important role in protecting children and vulnerable adults who may be experiencing abuse in other areas of their lives.
What to do if you have a concern about a child, young person or vulnerable adult:

Essential numbers

Designated Child Protection Officer:

Janet Inman
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 01522 585 580
Mobile: 07766 540 735

Deputy Designated Child Protection Officer

Lucy Blakey
Children and Young People Officer
Telephone: 01522 585 580
Mobile: 07766 540 733

Other essential numbers

Standards for safeguarding in sport

The following standards have been developed to help safeguard and protect children and young people in sport. The standards are based on current good practice and are informed by legislation and guidance, evidence from research, and experience of what works; drawing from the field of child protection and from sport.

The need for standards was identified in the Child Protection in Sport Action Plan in 2000. There has been extensive consultation on the standards and they have received strong support from partners such as National Governing Bodies of Sport, County Sports Partnership, government departments and more.

The purpose of the standards is to:

The areas covered in the standards are:

  1. Policy
  2. Procedures and systems
  3. Prevention
  4. Codes of practice and behaviour
  5. Equity
  6. Communication
  7. Education and Training
  8. Access to advice and support
  9. Implementation and monitoring
  10. Influencing

Standards for safeguarding in sport are mandatory for English Governing Bodies and County Sports Partnerships, and Sport England has made working towards achieving these standards a condition of Grant Aid.

Lincolnshire Sports Partnership has achieved the advanced level in the standards for safeguarding and protecting children in sport.

Code of Conducts

Sports clubs and organisations should be fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members.

As well as standards for safeguarding, the first thing that any sports clubs needs to have in place is a Code of Conduct. This is the cornerstone of any safeguarding policy and is essential for making sure that everyone at your club knows what behaviour is acceptable and what is not.

Without a standard for staff, volunteers, parents and participants to adhere to, you may be leaving your sport vulnerable and open to challenge about behaviour or actions of individuals within your club.

As a sport, you are also not able to challenge a person if you have your own concerns about the standard of their practice if you have not made them aware of the standards you expect from them, perhaps through:

CRB

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an Executive Agency of the Home Office that provides wider access to criminal record information. This service enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that involve children or vulnerable adults.

There are two levels of CRB check currently available called Standard and Enhanced check. Standard CRB checks show current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer.

An enhanced CRB check contains the same information as the Standard CRB check but with the addition of any relevant and proportionate information held by the local police forces and a check of the new Children and or Vulnerable Adults barred lists where requested. In the case of working with children and vulnerable adults, employees will require an enhanced check.

Lincolnshire Sports Partnership staff, casual tutors and coaches are all CRB checked.

Lincolnshire Sports Partnership can process CRBs for clubs individuals:
£20 for volunteers to cover administration + VAT = £24.00 (8.3.2012)
£44 for paid employees/ coaches + £20 for administration + VAT = £76.80 (8.3.2012)

Please contact Ian Brown or Trevor Jones on 01522 585 580 to request a CRB form.

To find out more about the CRB, please download the attached document or visit www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk.