Safeguarding in out-of-school clubs- guidance for parents

Attending sports clubs and other extracurricular activities benefits children in many ways: fitness, teamwork, and personal development are just some advantages. However, these activities require robust safeguarding practices to protect children from potential harm. Understanding safeguarding enables parents to make informed decisions about their children's participation in out-of-school activities.

Safeguarding is the process of looking after the most vulnerable people in our society to protect them from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. One particularly vulnerable group is children under the age of 18. Whether in sports, arts or community clubs, safeguarding actions ensure children have safe places to learn, play and grow.

Parents or carers can play a key role in helping keep their children safe in out-of-school or out-of-classroom settings by understanding what aspects should be in place in every out-of-school club or organisation. Here are some key elements:

1. Know What Safeguarding Is:

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, not just professionals or designated safeguarding officers.

By understanding the importance of safeguarding and recognising potential risks or issues, parents can contribute to ensuring there is a culture of safety and protection.

2. Putting Children First:

Those running activities have a duty of care and must always ensure a child’s safety and well-being. Clubs and organisations need to show that they are establishing a positive club culture and supportive environments. This means that all activities involving children should prioritise their safety, well-being, and overall best interests, ensuring they feel secure, valued, and respected. To achieve this, they must demonstrate a positive club culture by encouraging respect, inclusivity, and fairness and by implementing practices that support children’s development while safeguarding them from risks or inappropriate behaviours. This includes having robust safeguarding policies, trained staff, and clear procedures to address concerns; which parents should be aware of.

3. Know What the Signs of Abuse and Poor Practice Are:

Learning about the various types of abuse, from grooming to neglect to inappropriate behaviours, means parents and carers can recognise potential issues early on. By understanding the different forms of abuse, parents become better equipped to identify warning signs and address problematic situations before they escalate. Early recognition allows them to take timely action to protect their child, address the concern, and potentially prevent further harm.

4. Ask the Right Questions:

• Do they have a trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and safeguarding officers? This means that a parent or carer can be assured that the club or organisation their child is involved with has adequate measures to keep children safe from harm by having specifically trained staff who oversee all safeguarding matters, are a point of contact for concerns about child welfare and ensure there is an up-to-date policy and procedures.
• What Are Safeguarding Policies? Such policies detail how the organisation protects children manages risks and responds to concerns. This policy and associated procedures should be available to parents and carers.
• Does the club regularly undertake risk assessments for activities and are these regularly updated? Having risk assessments is a crucial element of making sure staff and volunteers have identified all potential issues and have created a way to mitigate these, ensuring activities are as safe as they can be.

5. Know How to Report Concerns:

• What processes are in place within the club to report concerns? Parents and carers should feel confident about what to do if they need to make a report or raise concerns over a child's safety in a club or organisation. The process usually starts by contacting the club’s safeguarding officer or DSL. If the issue is serious enough, it is referred to the club’s governing body/management committee. In some more serious cases, concerns may be referred externally to local child protection services or other relevant agencies. It’s so important that the club has clear, accessible procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns so that parents, staff and children know exactly what to do if an issue arises. This clarity helps ensure that potential risks to a child’s safety are taken seriously and handled appropriately.

6. Model Positive Behaviour:

All clubs should create a safe and encouraging environment. This means that everyone involved in the club has a role in fostering a positive atmosphere in activities or clubs by treating everyone involved - children, coaches, staff, volunteers and fellow parents, with respect and kindness. Modelling such behaviour helps to ensure an environment where children feel safe, appreciated, and inspired, contributing positively to their enjoyment and growth. It also assists coaches, staff and volunteers in fostering a positive, collaborative, and respectful culture in the club or organisation. If parents have any concerns about the behaviour of staff or volunteers this should be raised with the designated safeguarding officer.

What safety signs to look for in a club or activity

Here are the key points to keep in mind when choosing the right club or activity for your child:

• Safeguarding policies and procedures - Are the club’s policy and procedure documents in place and concise, relevant and accessible?
• Designated Safeguarding Officers: Does the club have a designated safeguarding officer? Are they trained, and is this training regularly updated?
• Staff Training: Are coaches, staff and volunteers DBS-checked and trained in child protection?
• Reporting Channels: Are parents and carers informed about how to report any concerns?
• Inclusive Environment: Does the club have a commitment to a positive experience for all children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)?

Safeguarding: Guidance for Clubs & Organisations

Protecting children is not just the responsibility of parents; it is the legal and ethical duty of clubs and organisations. SSS Learning is developing a suite of tailored safeguarding courses for club and out-of-school DSLs, staff and volunteers to help them fulfil these requirements. These courses focus on:

• Safeguarding principles;
• Identifying and responding to signs of abuse and poor practice;
• Developing robust and effective safeguarding policies and procedures;
• Ensuring staff and volunteers are trained and understand the safeguarding legislation;
• Fostering inclusive, safe spaces where all children can thrive.

These resources will provide safeguarding training for clubs and organisations, ensuring all clubs and organisations can confidently meet their duties for safeguarding children while delivering enriching and better experiences. They will help ensure children grow up in safe, supportive, nurturing environments.

Sara Spinks

SSS Author & Former Headteacher