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Be sure they’re safe and let them have fun A guide for parents

Bolton Safeguarding Children bsb_choosing a safe org.lft.aw:Layout 1 19/8/09 16:38 Page 3

Introduction If these topics are not covered in the policy – you should ask why. As parents we all want our children to take part in activities, whether that be If you are worried that a child is being getting involved in a sports club, being abused you should contact your area part of an organised group or being a Social Work team:- young volunteer. We also want to North – 01204 337400 make sure that this happens in a safe (, Bradshaw, , environment. Bromley Cross, , Dunscar, Eagley, Egerton, Hall I’th Wood, But we don’t know what questions to Halliwell, Tonge Fold, Tonge Moor) ask or what would tell us that a club or organisation takes the safety and well- South Bolton – 01204 337729 being of children seriously. (Burnden, Darcy Lever, Daubhill, Deane, Farnworth, , Harper Green, This leaflet helps parents ask those Kearsley, Little Lever,Moses Gate, sometimes difficult questions and to Morris Green, Stoneclough) give some ideas of what to look for. West Bolton – 01942 634625 or 634587 (Blackrod, Deane, Derby, Great Lever, Child protection policy Halliwell, Heaton, Horwich, Hulton Park Lostock, , Westhoughton) All organisations/clubs should have a current Child Protection Policy and as a minimum it should:- Workers/volunteers • Explain the 4 categories of child should be safely abuse – physical, sexual, emotional recruited and screened and neglect to work with children • Give details of the roles and All those working, or volunteering, responsibilities of various members directly with or regularly caring for, of the organisation, including training, supervising or being in sole naming the Designated Person who charge of children should have a is responsible for Child Protection current Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) • Clearly state how they will respond check. This should be carried out when and refer concerns about child a worker or volunteer is recruited. abuse and include the numbers of Some organisations/clubs may also who to contact have a policy on updating these checks. The Child Protection Policy may also include information about the From October 2009 you should ask if organisation’s/club’s approach to the workers are registered with the bullying, recruitment and behaviour Independent Safeguarding Authority management. (ISA).∗ bsb_choosing a safe org.lft.aw:Layout 1 19/8/09 16:38 Page 4

Other things you could do include:- be called ‘Behaviour Management’) which lets you know how workers or • Reading the organisation/club volunteers will respond to arguments, recruitment policy and procedure disagreements, fights, bullying, • Asking if the organisation/club disruptive or challenging behaviour etc request references and from who from children.

• Asking what experience/qualifications It should also tell you what sanctions or people have to work with children consequences will be put into place for the child/children involved. ∗ The Independent Safeguarding Authority will keep a list of people who If this is not available you need to ask. are vetted and cleared to work with children. It will also keep a list of those who are known to present a risk of Membership of harm to children, and prevent them local/regional/national from entering the children's workforce. networks or governing More information about this scheme bodies can be found at:- www.isa-gov.org.uk Some clubs/organisations are members of nationally recognised bodies, such Training to keep as the Football Association, Amateur children safe Swimming Association, Guides etc or are part of a nationally or locally There should be at least one person who accredited scheme. is qualified in First Aid at each session and ideally all staff will have attended To be members of these (affiliated), an some form of training in relation to health organisation/club usually has to satisfy and safety and child protection certain strict criteria about the well- being and safety of children. It is This should include:- worthwhile asking the organisation if • Recognising and responding to signs they have such a membership. of child abuse or neglect • Health and safety – fire safety, first Complaints or concerns aid, recording and responding to from parents or others accidental injuries etc The organisation/club should be • Risk assessments prepared to listen to your comments or issues and to offer suggestions as to how Managing difficult things could be dealt with in a positive behaviour way. Some clubs may also have a protocol or policy which tells you how Organisations/clubs should have a code they respond to complaints and of conduct or similar document (it may concerns. bsb_choosing a safe org.lft.aw:Layout 1 19/8/09 16:38 Page 1

If you don’t feel the organisation/club is REMEMBER taking the matter seriously or you think they are failing to act on your • Don’t be afraid to ask for copies of complaint/concern – you could try the organisations/clubs policies contacting their governing body or their • You are not being difficult – you are accreditation scheme. making sure that the people who are Remember if you are worried that looking after your child know what children are suffering or at risk of they are doing suffering abuse or neglect you should • A good organisation/club will act by contacting your local Referral welcome questions about their and Assessment Team in Bolton. activities and the safety of their environment Activities away from home • A good club should always encourage parents to be involved in An organisation/club should have clear their child’s activities guidance and information about organised trips available for parents, trip organisers Additional information about choosing a and sometimes children as well. safe organisation/club can be found at:- The information should:- • Tell you who is going to be in charge Sportcentric:- and tell you who the other http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vfil supervising adults are e/page/fileurl/0,,5157-1-1-125681-0- file,00.pdf • Tell you what risk assessments have been completed Clubmark:- • Request you complete details of www.clubmark.org.uk emergency contacts • Request any information about any Child Protection in Sport Unit:- needs your child has; this could www.thecpsu.org.uk include allergies, medical conditions, dietary needs, cultural etc Large print, interpretations, text only and audio formats of this publication can be produced on request. Please call 01204 337479 or email [email protected]

As part of Bolton’s commitment to a sustainable future, this document is printed (using vegetable based inks) on paper from sustainable forests.