Every year, millions of young people, coaches, officials and other volunteers derive fun, satisfaction and achieve personal development from belonging to a sports club. There are increasing pressures on people’s time and growing demands for quality as well as greater need for everybody to be more aware of safety and child protection issues.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) was founded in 2001 as a partnership between the NSPCC and Sport England. Its role is to:

• Be the first point of contact for sports organisations about child protection issues and individuals after sports organisations.
• Co-ordinate the production of child protection information and training for sports organisations.
• Commission research into a range of issues relating to child protection in sport.
• Develop and promote standards for child protection procedures and training in all sports.

The CPSU strongly advocates that it is the duty of every club to give serious consideration as to how it conducts activities and to take all reasonable steps to ensure that participants, visitors and volunteers can enjoy the sport it offers in a safe environment. That obligation is particularly important with regard to the safety and welfare of young sports participants.

Duty of care and safeguarding and protecting children is a key element of Clubmark. NGBs involved in Clubmark are required to have rules, policies and procedures relating to safety and best practice. Clubs must familiarise themselves with NGB safety measures and adhere to them.

In order to encourage a positive approach to child protection within the club environment, it is also recommended that coaches and other club volunteers attend training.

The following training programme is recommended for club personnel:

• Safeguarding and protecting children run by sports coach UK

Northampton Rowing Club is working towards accreditation and hence is addressing the issues surrounding child protection and duty of care. As a result, it has updated its constitution, appointed welfare and safety officers and a junior co-ordinator. This has helped to drive up standards and consequently has provided the Club with the opportunity to develop partnerships with local schools.

To find out more information about the CPSU visit the website - http://www.thecpsu.org.uk/