Do you have a safeguarding policy?
A reputable organisation should have up-to-date policies and procedures in place. In case your child has any worries, they should be able to tell you what to do. There should be a code of conduct with guidelines outlining appropriate behaviour for coaches, volunteers as well as children/young people.
Do you have a Welfare Officer?
There should be a Welfare Officer assigned to the club or organisation who will be available to answer any queries you may have. This person will be in charge of policies and handling any issues.
Do you follow safer recruitment procedures?
Every organisation that offers sports programmes/activities must make sure that their hiring procedures, which include references checks, interviews, and the proper police checks for volunteers and employees, are in place.
How do you promote the welfare of children and young people?
Ask the organisation how it supports the welfare of children and young people. This will include things like offering first aid, keeping track of attendance at the start and end of sessions, staff-to-youth ratios, making the proper transportation arrangements if necessary, and listening to and acting upon the opinions of children and young people.
There should be policies in place for how to use social media, text messaging, and appropriate language, for all of their employees and volunteers to abide by.
The Child Protection in Sport Unit has some helpful information regarding the use of photography. To read click here.