Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership

The following Standards are based those developed by Child Protection in Sport Unit, NSPCC and Sport England. They incorporate current good practice, legislation, guidance, evidence, research and experience of what works.

They draw from the fields of child protection and sport.

Safeguarding Policy

1. Does your organisation have a safeguarding or child protection policy?
2. Does it include principles that prioritise the welfare of children?
3. Is the policy written in a clear & easily understood way?
4. Is the policy publicised, promoted & distributed to relevant audiences?

Procedure and System

1. Are there clear safeguarding procedures on what to do if there are concerns about a child?
2. Have you included guidance on photography, social networking, texting & emailing?
3. Are the child protection procedures available to all?
4. Is there a designated safeguarding person/s identified within the organisation?
5. Is there a process for dealing with complaints about unacceptable and/or abusive behaviour towards children?

Prevention

1. Are there policies and procedures for recruiting staff & volunteers working with children?
2. Are there well-publicised ways to raise concerns about unacceptable behaviour by staff or volunteers?
3. Is there a safeguarding plan & guidance around transporting children and trips?
4. Is it clear what the procedures are to ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times where there is direct responsibility for running/providing activities?

Access to Advice and Support

1. Do staff and volunteers with designated safeguarding roles have access to specialist advice, support and information?
2. Are contacts established at a national and/or local level with statutory child protection agencies?
3. Are there arrangements in place to provide support to individuals involved in an investigation or complaint?

Education and Training

1. Is there an induction process for all staff and volunteers who have significant contact with children?
2. Are all staff and volunteers provided with safeguarding training according to their specific roles and responsibilities?
3. Are children provided with information on where to go to for help & advice?
4. Are there arrangements in place to provide support to individuals affected by safeguarding concerns?

Codes of Practice

1. Does the organisation provide guidance on appropriate and expected standards of behaviour?
2. Is there guidance on expected and acceptable behaviour of children towards other children?
3. Are there processes for dealing with behaviour that is unacceptable?
4. Do senior management promote a culture that ensures children are listened to and respected? How is this done?

Communication

1. Is the organisation’s commitment to safeguard children and young people openly displayed and available to all?
2. Are children and young people made aware of their right to be safe from abuse?
3. Is information made available to young people and parents about where to go for help in relation to child abuse and other safeguarding concerns?
4. Is information provided in a format and language that can be easily understood by all service users?

Equality

1. Does your safeguarding policy make it clear that all children have equal rights to protection?
2. Do you ensure that staff and volunteers are support in recognising and responding to the additional vulnerability of some children? How?
3. Do your codes of conduct make it clear that discriminatory, offensive and violent behaviour is unacceptable?
4. Are there complaints procedures that are fair and open to challenge through an appeals process?