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01. Can children's names, date of birth and address be given out by clubs/organisations to a third party if parents have not given consent?
02. Up to what age can children enter a changing room of the opposite gender?
03. Can under 15's participate in sporting activities with over 18's?
04. Would it be possible for the CPSU to review our policy and procedures?
05. If the CPSU were to ratify our policy and procedures would these carry legal backing?
06. Is there any training available which will enable me to be a club designated officer and does this training carry a recognised qualification?
07. Is there any research into abuse in sport?
08. What are the welfare concerns for young elite athletes?
09. How do I get advice on safeguarding in a specific sport?
10. Does the CPSU have any guidance on the use of photography?
11. Does the CPSU have any guidelines on the safer use of text, email and social networking sites?
12. Does the CPSU have any guidelines on transporting children and young people to sports events?
13. Does the CPSU have any guidance on physical contact with children and young people in sport?
14. Does the CPSU have any guidelines on safe recruitment and selection procedures in sport?
15. How will the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) impact on sports clubs and individuals?
16. We have developed our own training course, can the CPSU approve this?
17. Worried about a child's sexual behaviour?
01. Can children's names, date of birth and address be given out by clubs/organisations to a third party if parents have not given consent?
The simple answer is no. For more information visit www.ico.gov.uk .
For the issue about open access to names, addresses, telephone numbers and DOB's of children you need to consider the following:
The CPSU does have a sample parental/guardians consent form available in the Club guidelines section of this website.
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02. Up to what age can children enter a changing room of the opposite gender?
The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) and the CPSU have produced more detailed guidance on this topic: Guidance for best practice in relation to the management and supervision of swimming pool changing for school swimming (policy statement) (PDF).
There is no set legal limit but standard accepted practice sets an age limit of under eight to be in a changing room of the opposite gender.
03. Can under 15's participate in sporting activities with over 18's?
There is no definitive answer to this. Different sports make different decisions on mixed ages taking part in their sports. The CPSU has developed a new briefing regarding mixed age activity in sport for further information please see Involving young people in mixed aged sport/activity (PDF, 62KB)
Contact your national governing body (NGB) for specific advice as they should have a clearer understanding of the risks in your sport. Search for a sports governing body .
Some principles for consideration are:
04. Would it be possible for the CPSU to review our policy and procedures?
Yes. The CPSU could offer this service at a national organisational level, but would need to confirm if there is a charge for this and the availability of staff to take on this role.
We are not able to offer this service at a club or county level.
In Northern Ireland sports organisations should contact Paul Stephenson directly at pstephenson@nspcc.org.uk .
05. If the CPSU were to ratify our policy and procedures would these carry legal backing?
No, any endorsement from the NSPCC would need to have the following disclaimer :
'These safeguarding policy and procedure materials were drawn up specifically for [insert full name of licensee] with the assistance and advice of the NSPCC and conform to current child protection legislation and guidance. The NSPCC cannot accept responsibility for the implementation and application of the procedures by [insert full name of licensee ].'
06. Is there any training available which will enable me to be a club designated officer and does this training carry a recognised qualification?
The training page of our website offers details of available safeguarding training.
There are a number of sports organisations listed on this page that have been orientated to deliver the CPSU Time To Listen designated person/welfare officer training or offer their own recognised equivalent training.
If your sport is not listed, you could contact your Local Safeguarding Children Board and ask if they offer any safeguarding training to volunteers, though this will not be sports specific.
In Northern Ireland, sports organisations should contact SportNI directly on 02890 381 222 for details of their Children's/Designated Officer course or email pstephenson@nspcc.org.uk.
In Wales, sports organisations should contact the Sports Council for Wales directly on 0292 033 8213 for details of Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshops.
07. Is there any research into abuse in sport?
Yes. For information on published research and research in progress please visit the research pages of our website.
08. What are the welfare concerns for young elite athletes?
There is a growing body of research and case evidence to indicate that young elite athletes are particularly vulnerable to abuse and the effects of poor coaching practice.
Protecting the health of the athlete is the primary goal of the IOC's Medical Commission. Below is an extract from the consensus statement.
'The elite child athlete is one who has superior athletic talent, undergoes specialised training, receives expert coaching and is exposed to early competition. Sport provides a positive environment that may enhance the physical growth and psychological development of children.'
'This unique athlete population has distinct social, emotional and physical needs which vary depending on the athlete's particular stage of maturation. The elite child athlete requires appropriate training, coaching and competition that ensure a safe and healthy athletic career and promote future well-being.'
Source: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Statement on Training the Elite Child Athlete (PDF)
09. How do I get advice on safeguarding in a specific sport?
The CPSU was founded in 2001 to work with UK Sports councils, governing bodies and other organisations to help them minimise the risk of child abuse during sporting activities.
The majority of sports are working towards safeguarding standards to protect children in sport. The standards provide a framework for all those involved in sport to help them create a safe sporting environment for children and young people and protect them from harm.
For more information visit the Standards for Safeguarding Children in Sport pages of our website.
To contact the lead child protection officer in a specific sport visit the Search for a sports governing body page of our website.
10. Does the CPSU have any guidance on the use of photography?
Yes, we have produced a CPSU Briefing on this topic: Photographs and images of children (PDF, 60KB)
It is the responsibility of a sports organisation to establish a photography policy and practice that reflects their requirement and structures whilst ensuring that the child’s rights and wellbeing are safeguarded.
Parents/carers want to be able to celebrate the achievements of their children when taking part in sporting activities through photographs and sports organisations will also want to promote their activities to encourage increased participation.
The Child Protection in Sport Unit does not advocate the banning of photography, but recommends that it is subject to appropriate and proportionate safeguards being in place to ensure a safe sporting environment for children and young people.
11. Does the CPSU have any guidelines on the safer use of text, email and social networking sites?
Yes, we have produced two CPSU Briefings on this topic:
Using Social Networking Services and Social Media:Promoting Safe and Responsible use (PDF, 138KB)
Text and email messaging - safeguarding guidelines (PDF, 245KB)
12. Does the CPSU have any guidelines on transporting children and young people to sports events?
Yes, we have produced a CPSU Briefing on this topic. This includes an outline of the issues and some best practice guidance to minimise the risks:
Guidelines on transporting a child or young person in your car (PDF, 64KB)
13. Does the CPSU have any guidance on physical contact with children and young people in sport?
Yes, we have produced a CPSU Briefing on this topic. The purpose of this briefing is to clarify the position of the CPSU in relation to this issue and provide guidance to all those involved in working with young people in sport:
Physical contact and young people in sport (PDF, 208KB)
14. Does the CPSU have any guidelines on safe recruitment and selection procedures in sport?
Yes, we have produced a CPSU Briefing on this topic. This briefing provides points on how to ensure effective recruitment and selection procedures and advice on induction processes:
Safe recruitment and selection procedures (PDF, 57KB)
15. How will the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) impact on sports clubs and individuals?
The CPSU will provide up-to-date information on the ISA and the Vetting and Barring Scheme in the News and Events section of our website.
You can also sign up to Relay, our quarterly e-newsletter that includes articles on the scheme.
For further information about the scheme, individuals and clubs should contact their national or organisational lead officer for safeguarding in their sport and also visit the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) website.
16. We have developed our own training course, can the CPSU approve this?
Some national governing bodies (NGBs) have chosen to develop their own training courses for those who have a role with or responsibilities for children and young people - coaches, other employees or volunteers, or designated safeguarding officers.
The CPSU can facilitate an independent review of these courses and provide recognition. There is a cost associated with this service based on meetings before and after the review and a thorough assessment of the course by an independent assessor contracted by the CPSU.
The review covers the following course aspects:
Training courses are reviewed against the following guidance, depending on the target audience:
The review also references:
Charges for the review are negotiated at the point of contract.
The reviewer works with the organisation to address any issues and/or development work required to ensure the workshop and resources meet sector standards. Where significant additional work is required, this work will also be costed and agreed before being undertaken.
17. Worried about a child's sexual behaviour?
As well as developing physically and emotionally, children will also display sexual behaviour as a normal part of growing up. A child’s sexual development expresses itself in a range of behaviours, most of which are healthy and normal.
However, sometimes a child's behaviour may be unusual, worrying or even harmful. The NSPCC have produced guidance that outlines behaviours typical of each child’s developmental stage. This briefing can help you decide whether there is a cause for concern about a child or young person’s behaviour, and how to respond to these concerns in the first instance.
Worried about a child's sexual behaviour?
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We are always pleased to respond to enquiries or provide advice around safeguarding children in sport.
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