Parent's guide to choosing a sport club
This information is designed to help parents/carers who want to ensure that their child has a positive experience of sport.
Here are a range of questions that parents/carers might want to ask a club that their child wishes to join.
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Is the club, and its staff, affiliated to the governing body of its sport? Has it achieved, or is it working towards, a suitable accreditation scheme?
Affiliation implies certain minimum standards, and coaches will have a recognised qualification in sports coaching to ensure quality of tuition.
Accreditation gives confidence that the club operates above minimum standards.
Are the club staff and volunteers screened to work with children?
All staff and volunteers should have gone through a thorough recruitment process, which includes references and screening through the Criminal Records Bureau.
The club should train its staff and committee in child protection procedures.
The club should discuss this issue openly with you.
Is there a written code of behaviour?
The club should have a code of conduct applicable to the behaviour and conduct of its coaches, managers, adult and junior members and any parents present at junior sessions.
Issues like bullying, shouting, racism and sexism towards or between children should not be tolerated.
How does the club manage staff and volunteers?
The club should have an appointed person to supervise staff.
Are staff and volunteers trained?
All staff and volunteers should have training in Health and Safety and Child Protection (certificated).
Ideally, staff will have attended generic training, available through the Active Sports Programme.
Staff will be encouraged to update their skills and progress to higher awards.
There should be a person qualified in first aid at each session.
Does the club operate safely?
There should be a Health and Safety Policy, and risk assessments. Someone should be responsible for checking equipment, First Aid equipment should always be available.
The club should demonstrate that it maintains confidentiality where details of children's health problems are concerned.
There will be a minimum of 2 members of staff at each session.
What is the club's philosophy?
The club may be purely focused on competitions and therefore only want children with ability, or they may cater for a range of skills and abilities.
Are you able to watch a junior session?
If YES look for an emphasis on fun and enjoyment, encouragement, positive re-inforement, good communicaton, explanations, patience and consideration.
If you see rough play, sexual innuendo, questionable physical contact, or favouritism by the staff bring this to the attention of the club's Chairperson or nominated Child Protection Officer or seek advice from Peterborough City Council's Sports Development Team.
If NO ask for an explanation and be wary of reasons or excuses to exclude parents.
Also be wary if:
- your child is asked to arrive early or stay after a club activity without a clear reson and sound arrangements for supervision
- social events are organised without your knowledge or consent
- the club or a coach is unwilling to communicate with you and does not welcome your involvement
However, be assured that very many safe, pleasurable, excellent and quality sports sessions are provided weekly by knowledgeable and committed people, many of whom may also be parents.
Do ask these questions, and any others that may occur to you, to ensure the club is what you want and meets your expectations as a parent/carer.
For further information contact
Les Mundy
Sports Development Manager
Peteborough City Council
Bayard Place
Peterborough
PE1 1HZ
01733 742525
This information has been approved by the Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board