Choosing a sports club should be similar to choosing a nursery place or school. You’ll need to think about whether you and your child feel comfortable there and that the right things are in place for them to attend.
The best way to make sure a club is right for you and your child is to attend a session or practice in advance, or go along with your child the first time. Speak to staff, coaches and your child, look around the facilities and see what’s on offer before you both come to a decision.
Any good club or activity should have certain things in place to make sure they’re taking care of children during sessions, practices and any away dates and competitions.
You should feel confident asking a club about any of the points below. Remember: you have a right to know these things and any good club will be happy to let you know what they have in place.
Quick checklist
Every club should:
What to look for in a sports club
Do they have a safeguarding policy?
Clubs should have a safeguarding policy, which outlines their commitment to protecting children and a clear procedure for dealing with concerns of abuse or poor practice. You should be able to see a copy of this policy.
(You can take a look at our sample safeguarding policy statement, which outlines how a sports organisation will ensure children are kept safe when taking part in their sport.)
What if I have a concern?
Every club should have a welfare or child protection officer who you can contact in the event that you have a concern about how your child or any other child is treated during their time at the club.
This person should not only be able to help you if you have a serious concern but should also be able to advise you on other issues such as bullying, discrimination, other parents’ behaviour or poor practice.
If a welfare officer can’t help you, they’ll hold the contact details for services that can, and will point you in the right direction.
You should receive this person’s contact details when you join. If you don’t, their details should be available from any coach, or be displayed on the club’s website or in their venue for everyone to see.
What’s expected of staff?
There should be a written code of behaviour (or conduct) showing what is required of staff, volunteers and participants.
The club should also have clear rules on what they deem to be both appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to the relationships they build with children.
It’s important for your child’s sake and others that clubs are committed to preventing and addressing any instances of bullying, poor side-line behaviour or discrimination of any kind. After all, sport should be a safe place for everyone to enjoy.
All staff working with your child should have had some level of safeguarding training as well as some technical training to make sure they have the knowledge to instruct others in that sport.
The level of safeguarding training required depends on the type of role they do and the frequency of involvement they have with your child.
We advise coaches, clubs and other sports organisations on what type of training staff should have.
All staff should be subject to safe recruitment process when they join a club.
Safe recruitment means that they’ve been interviewed, the organisation has seen references, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records checks for working with children have been carried out where applicable.
Did they ask for your consent and emergency details?
We advise that any children under the age of 16 requires your consent to join a club or activity.
Part of giving your consent should mean that you’re aware of the kind of club you’re sending your child to and that you’re comfortable letting them attend.
As part of your child's registration, you should also be asked for emergency contacts, key medical information (allergies, asthma, and so on) and whether there are any other issues the club needs to know about in order to help your child get the most out of taking part.
How many adults should be supervising the children?
Find out what the recommended supervision ratios are for your child's chosen activity. You can do this by contacting whoever oversees that particular sport or activity, such as a National Governing Body or Active Partnership (formerly County Sports Partnership).
It's always recommended that more than one member of staff or volunteer is present when in charge of young people.
What about arrangements for away games and competitions?
The club or organisation running the event should inform you about the event arrangements and planning, including transport to and from the venue and any hotels or accommodation. You should also be given information about the venue itself.
If it's a long way from home, you should be given a contact number for use in emergencies.
In these instances, you can expect the same level of information about any trips away as you would when your child goes away with school.
Health and safety
Make sure that the premises are safe and look well kept. The organisation should have guidance on first aid (and ideally a qualified first aider) and the following available within the club:
- first aid box
- a way of reporting and responding to injuries or accidents that occur within club time
- arrangements to administer medication to children if that’s been agreed with you beforehand
If your child needs help with using the toilet, changing, feeding or their medication, discuss and agree how these personal care needs will be addressed before they attend.
If your child needs help with using the toilet, changing, feeding or their medication, discuss and agree how these personal care needs will be addressed before they attend.
