Questions you should ask clubs

What are the questions you should ask?

A good club or organisation will welcome questions about their activities and issues around safety. All clubs and organisations should have a child protection policy that includes a statement on and guidelines about keeping children safe.

Are staff and volunteers appropriately qualified?

All coaches and leaders should have up to date, nationally recognised governing body of sport qualifications, which are appropriate for the sport and level of ability being coached.

All staff and volunteers should have attended training in child protection and health and safety.

Are the staff and volunteers suitable to work with children and young people?

All staff and volunteers should go through a proper screening or recruitment process, which should include successful completion of a police check (known as a CRB check), reference checks and, where appropriate, interviews.

How does the club/organisation manage staff and volunteers?

There should be someone in charge who supervises staff and volunteers and has the right knowledge and skills to act appropriately if there are concerns about a child or young person.

Are there formal Codes of Conduct?

All clubs and organisations should have written codes of ethics and behaviour, which outlines good practice when working with children and young people. An environment in which bullying, shouting, racism and/or sexism are allowed to take place is not acceptable.

How can children and their parents or carers voice their concerns?

All clubs and organisations should have a child protection policy outlining the procedures for dealing with poor practice and/or possible abuse. They should have a designated child protection/welfare officer who should be the first point of contact if you have any concerns.

The club or organisation should tell you where to go or what to do if you or your child(ren) have any worries. If you are unhappy about the way your concern is dealt with, contact any of the organisations listed overleaf.

Does the organisation have a clear health and safety policy?

All clubs and organisations should have a health and safety policy, which should be put into practice by ensuring that there is a fully stocked first aid box at all activities, that a coach or leader is qualified in first aid or there is a qualified first aider at the site and that a risk assessment has been carried out to ensure that the facility setting and equipment being used are safe.

Would they be able to contact me in an emergency?

A club or organisation should ask you to complete a registration form when you join requesting emergency contact details and information about any medical conditions or special requirements your child may have.

How does the organisation provide for intimate care needs?

In the case of very young children, or children with a disability, you should check out routines for toileting, feeding and administering medication.

What happens if my child is involved in a trip or away fixture?

You should be informed of arrangements for every trip no matter how long or short and your consent should always be requested. Information about arrangements should include details about planned transport to and from the venue.

Does the organisation have a policy guiding use of text messaging and electronic communication?

Coaches and leaders should follow good practice and should not send text messages to individual children and young people. Coaches and leaders should only send emails to agreed distribution groups.

Does the organisation have an internet safety policy?

If the organisation allows children or young people to access the internet, find out what guidelines or filtering software they have in place for safe surfing.

Is the club/organisation working towards formal quality accreditation?

For example, you might see or hear reference to Clubmark. Clubmark is a nationally recognised club accreditation scheme that has been developed and is being actively promoted by Sport England and each National Governing Body of Sport.

Clubmark recognises junior sports clubs that meet high quality standards and have succeeded in meeting a number of critical criteria that are identified as being essential for a high quality sports club. Clubmark accreditation helps to empower parent(s)/carer(s) in choosing a safe and friendly club for their children to enjoy and participate in sport.

Page last updated: January 2007