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Advice for parents and carers

It's your right as a parent or carer to be able to check how well a sport/activity provider operates – for the sake of your child's safety and your peace of mind.

Below we cover the key points you should consider when choosing a sports club, coached session or activity. It's also important to consider what impact you as a parent will have on how your child experiences sport.

Safeguarding smiling little girl

Selecting and assessing a club or activity provider

When choosing a sports club/provider or activity for your child, it’s important to first check whether the club or organisation has achieved an up-to-date sports body or local council accreditation (such as Clubmark).

If so, then this can be viewed as evidence that the club or organisation has attained a certain level of safe practices as assessed by the awarding body. The Club Matters portal provides a list of all Clubmark-accredited clubs and is a good starting point for finding a club

Even if a club is accredited, you should check that the organisation has:

  • A safeguarding policy, with a clear procedure for dealing with concerns or risks of abuse. You should be advised how you can access the policy
  • A named and contactable welfare officer responsible for the implementation of their safeguarding policy and dealing with issues relating to the protection of children, young people or adults in sport
  • Procedures for dealing with complaints or concerns regarding poor practice, abuse or neglect
  • Written standards of good practice, such as a code of conduct or behaviour
  • A parental consent and emergency details form that you must return to the club or activity provider
  • Safe recruitment procedures for those working with young people that include a clear job description, appropriate references, criminal records checks (e.g. DBS) for relevant posts and technical qualifications
  • Access to appropriate safeguarding or child protection training for its staff and volunteers.

Assisting a freelance coach or instructor

If you're looking at engaging a coach or instructor who operates outside the structure of a club or activity provider, you should check they have:

  1. A valid DBS which is relevant to their role
  2. The relevant minimum qualifications for the role they're undertaking
  3. A valid registration or licence from their governing body to coach, teach or instruct
  4. A valid public liability insurance
  5. Undertaken safeguarding training such as UK Coaching's Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop or the Local Safeguarding Children's Board's basic awareness training. Or sport-specific training in line with their national governing body's guidelines. 

Remember, a well-run club or activity provider will welcome questions about their activities and policies. They'll know they have a responsibility to give this kind of information to anyone who leaves a child in their care.

For more information and support, you can visit the Child Protection in Sport Unit website or download document below. 

No one involved in sport and physical activity, whether they’re a volunteer, participant, spectator or an elite athlete, should ever have to worry about abuse or harassment.

Learn more about safeguarding

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