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Need to Know Policies and Procedures

 

It is the responsibility of the organisation to ensure that the relevant policies are in place and communicated. It is the responsibility of the coach/leader to be aware of and follow the relevant policies and procedures.

 

Child Protection Policy

Coaches/leaders should be aware of and follow the relevant child protection/welfare policy. This should include:

  • When and how to report a concern, allegation, disclosure about poor practice or possible abuse
  • Who to contact should a child welfare incident arise
  • Remember it is not the responsibility of a coach/leader to decide if a child is being abused but to act on any concerns you may have.

 

Relationships of Trust

This statement recognises that genuine relationships do occur between the different levels of coaches/volunteers and participants in a group but that no intimate relationship should begin whilst the member of staff or volunteer is in a 'position of trust' over them. The power and influence that the older member has over someone attending a group or activity cannot be under-estimated. If there is an additional competitive aspect to the activity and the older person is responsible for the young person's success or failure to some extent, then the dependency of the younger member upon the older will be increased. It is therefore vital for coaches/volunteers to recognise the responsibility that they must exercise in ensuring that they do not abuse their positions of trust. Young people aged 16-18 can legally consent to some types of sexual activity; however, in some provisions of legislation they are classified as children. 

 

If you engage in an intimate or inappropriate relationship with a young person it is a breach of Northamptonshire Sport's Code of Practice and Behaviour and as such will result in disciplinary action.  In certain circumstances the 'abuse of trust' is a criminal offence (Sexual Offences Act 2003), the Government are currently considering extending these guidelines to include Sports Coaches).

Guidance notes from the CPSU can be found here.

 

Coaches Code of Conduct

Coaches/leaders should be aware of and follow the relevant coaches code of conduct.

As role models high standards of behaviour and appearance must be consistently displayed.  Failure to do so and a any breech of this and the position of trust will be immidiately acted upon by Northamptonshire Sport through the policies and procedures set out.

 

Northamptonshire Sport has a duty to inform the relevent sports National Governing Body, the ISA and the Local Safeguarding Children Board should a breech be deemed serious enough.

 

Health & Safety

All coaches/leaders should be aware of, and follow, the appropriate health & safety policy. This should include:

  • Risk assessments
  • Participants consent forms (including details of emergency contacts, medical history and where necessary consent for photography and/or video to be taken)
  • How to respond to an incident or accident
  • Who to contact should a health and safety concern arise.

 

Equity Policy

The rights, dignity and worth of everyone should be respected and everyone should be treated equally within the context of their sport. Coaches/leaders should be aware of, and work within the relevant equity policy.

 

Recruitment & Screening

All sports coaches/leaders who have direct contact with children and young people must be appropriately screened to establish suitability to work with this age group,this should include:

  • The successful completion of an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check
  • A minimum of 2 references are taken and followed up
  • Qualifications are checked
  • If coaches/leaders are working with/for more than one organisation they may be
  • checked by each organisation.