Hi MDOC members All,

New missive from on high re Child Protection.

Good news- you only need to read last line which gives email address for you to report problems in this area to BOF.

Bad news - the rest is a little obscure and short of entertainment value. You don't have to read it but there is a small prize for anyone who can explain what it means.

Regards

Tony Wagg
From: British Orienteering <info@britishorienteering.org.uk>
Sent: 04 September 2018 11:55
Subject: The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018
 

Sent to all Club and Association Secretaries and Welfare Officers.

 

Dear colleague

 

Re. The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018

We are writing to advise you of new guidance for sports organisations which has been prepared by DCMS in liaison with DfE, and which Sport England and CPSU have been consulted on.

 

This reiterates the existing responsibilities of sports organisations and clarifies new requirements through the Children and Social Act 2017. ‘Any safeguarding arrangements implemented locally will apply to any context which involves the provision of services for children – including small local sports clubs.’

 

Local safeguarding partners are required to make arrangements for themselves and any identified ‘relevant agencies’. Local sports organisations may now be called upon to join safeguarding partners in their formal arrangements, and if so are required to comply. The attached guidance is intended to inform sports organisations about what this may mean in practice.

 

In most instances, the ‘relevant agency’ is likely to be an organisation which is large enough to support local strategic safeguarding plans and developments, for example, CSPs, leisure providers or perhaps some larger professional sports clubs.  However, although it is unlikely that an orienteering club will be approached you could be asked to become a relevant agency. You will have a duty to co-operate

 

In order to fulfil their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and child protection cases, all sports providers should be aware of forthcoming changes in local statutory safeguarding arrangements.

 

The role of national sports organisations (e.g. NGBs) will be to support and advise local clubs and providers in the event of them being approached to as a ‘relevant agency’ and to provide them with a level of information about these changes they consider appropriate.

 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Peter Hart

One of the mechanisms that British Orienteering has to facilitate the reporting of potential safeguarding concerns British Orienteering is a safeguarding email address. This email allows individuals to report safeguarding concerns directly to the Lead Safeguarding Officer. Reports could include any concerns about the welfare of children either within orienteering or outside of orienteering and any concerns over adult behaviour related to the welfare of children, including those away from the sport that involves members or participants.

Please, could you ensure that all your club members are aware of the email address and where possible that it is publicised at events?

 

The British Orienteering safeguarding email address is: safeguarding@britishorienteering.org.uk

 

 

 

 

Peter Hart

Chief Executive, British Orienteering