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Scottish Rowing's Child Protection Officer is Tom Hewitt. Contact details are on the left and also on the contacts page.
What's New?
The Child Protection in Sport team's quarterly Newsletter is just out. You can also register to have it delivered directly.
Scottish Rowing Policy
Your Board has reviewed the Scottish Rowing Child Protection Policy. The main changes are a simplification of the policy on photographing children (page 14) and an insertion at the request of Children 1st (on page 16) of material on communicating with children by means of mobile phones.
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
In 2010 the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme will come into effect backed by the force of law. This means changes in how we check out our personnel who work with under-18s and "protected adults." A fuller description of the changes will appear in Scottish Rowing Newsletter No. 3. Meanwhile there is a useful link to a Scottish Government brochure below under A Change in the Law.
From the outset, Scottish Rowing has supported the principle of photographers working at regattas and other events applying for accreditation. This is, of course, impossible to enforce. However, a few of our regulars have now gone through this process and have ID badges which should be visible when they are operating. If you too think you ought to be participating in this scheme, please download the application form, complete it and return it to me at the address on the form along with the other bits and pieces requested.
Are Your Coaches and Other Volunteers OK to Work with Under-18s?
All adults working with under-18s (employed or volunteer), especially if they are likely to find themselves in sole charge of under-18s must have a check carried out for any relevant criminal record, or listing on the Disqualified form Working with Children List. This is done via a Disclosure Scotland. Contact your club's Child Protection Officer if you are in any doubt as to whether this needs to be done.
Clubs which are registered with the Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS) can organise these checks for themselves via CRBS. Those not so registered can do so via Scottish Rowing's Child Protection Officer. Registering with CRBS is very straightforward. It is free, as are Disclosure Checks for volunteers when requested via CRBS. All non-University clubs with a substantial junior presence ought to be pursuing this option.
Coaches and others working with under-18s for Scottish Rowing need to have an up-to-date Disclosure Check carried out via Scottish Rowing, even if this has already been done by their clubs. For 2009 duties, Disclosures dated July 2008 or later are acceptable. Check with Tom to find out if you need yours refreshed.
A Change in the Law is in the wind.
Sometime in 2010 the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Act 2007 will come into force. The changes which this will bring about are outlined in a Scottish Government leaflet. As more information becomes available it will be passed to clubs as quickly as possible.
Training in child protection matters for coaches and child protection officers
is offered by CRBS, Children 1st, and sportscotland / sportscoachUK. Locations countrywide are used. We strongly recommend that all coaches working with under-18s attend a Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop and all child protection officers attend an In Safe Hands workshop.
Scottish Rowing Policies and other documents relating to child protection can be downloaded from here.
Contact Information
CRBS, www.crbs.org.uk, 01786 849777
Children 1st, www.children1st.org.uk, 0131 446 2300 (local numbers on web site)
Child Protection in Sport Service, www.childprotectioninsport.org.uk, 0141 418 5674
Sportscotland, www.sportscotland.org.uk, 0131 317 7200
sportscoachUK, www.sportscoach.org, 0113 274 4802
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