Following reports in the media over the last few years highlighting the scale of historical child abuse it is more apparent than ever that all clubs must do all they can to ensure that all children receive welcoming, safe and enjoyable experiences throughout their time in boxing.
To this end, England Boxing have worked closely with the Child Protection in Sport Unit to establish training requirements for all clubs and coaches.
It ensures ensures that:
- England Boxing is able to fulfil its duty of care to its members to do all it can to keep children and young people safe from harm
- England Boxing members are aware of the legal and moral responsibilities that they assume when providing activities for children and young people.
Key training requirements for those working with young people
There are two main courses. One is designed for all those working with young people and the other specifially for Club Welfare Officers.
Safeguarding and Protecting Children Workshop
Duration: Three hours.
Content: this workshop offers basic safeguarding awareness training and covers areas including roles and responsibilities, exploring best practice through discussing various scenarios within sport, identifying concerns, and how to respond should concerns arise.
Who should attend: All new Level 1 coaches must attend this workshop before they can register as a coach with England Boxing, as well as exisiting coaches who have not previously attended. All clubs must have a named Club Welfare Officer (CWO) who is registered with England Boxing – and they must attend this workshop.
Although not compulsory, it is to be recommended as best practice that all club volunteers and committee members also attend to increase their awareness of how to keep children and young people.
Time to Listen Workshop
Duration: Three hours.
Content: This workshop focuses specifically on the role of the CWO in safeguarding, including where they fit within the overall safeguarding landscape, and it enables welfare officers to explore the specific requirements and responsibilities of this important role.
Who should attend: Club Welfare Officers must attend and it is recommended as best practice that a named Deputy Welfare Officer also attends.
Maximum numbers for workshops
There is a maximum number of 20 people allowed to attend each session, enabling the tutor to adequately cover the required content within the time available and due to the discussion-based nature of the workshop.
How can I attend a course?
There are two main ways to access these courses:
England Boxing: A programme of workshops are regularly held across England and these workshops will be advertised on the safeguarding courses section of the website. Places are secured booked using the online booking system.
Active Partnerships: All Active Partnerships (formerly County Sports Partnerships) across England organise UK Coaching safeguarding children workshops on a regular basis. Contact your local Active Partnership to book your place.
If you have already attended a workshop delivered by another organisation
There are a number of organisations that offer safeguarding workshops, but these must be deemed suitable by the Child Protection in Sport Unit to be accepted. The Football Association are still running online courses so they will not be accepted at the moment for Coach applications.
If you are unsure whether a workshop that you have attended is recognised, please check by contacting England Boxing.
Refresher Training
Due to frequent changes in legislation, members must renew their training every three years.
Are Online Courses Accepted?
No not yet, members must attend a physical workshop; this is due to the nature of the issues and the need to discuss them to explore different scenarios and the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. It can only be done sufficiently in a workshop setting facilitated by an experienced tutor.
It is anticipated that in future suitable online courses will be acceptable and more information will follow.
Further questions
If you have any questions about safeguarding training requirements please email safeguarding@www.englandboxing.org.
