Thursday 25 October 2007
sportscotland today announced a £150,000 investment to support the work of CHILDREN 1st as they deliver a child protection support service to Scotland’s governing bodies of sport.
The investment marks a significant increase in funding which will enable CHILDREN 1st to recruit two project workers and an administrator to provide a centralised ‘Disclosure Administration Service’ for Scottish governing bodies of sport. This will free-up staff time within the sports and allow them to focus on activating their child protection policies.
This initiative demonstrates how sportscotland and key partners are working together to develop examples of best practice and improve the quality of sporting provision in Scotland. sportscotland’s partnership with CHILDREN 1st will ensure that governing bodies are equipped to deal with the issues relating to the safe provision of sport for children and young people.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair sportscotland said: “Encouraging more children and young people to become actively involved in sport is one of our primary objectives. We want to ensure that participation in sport is a positive experience for everyone and the partnership between sportscotland and CHILDREN 1st will give our governing bodies the tools they need to provide a safe sporting environment not only for children, but also for the volunteers who make that participation possible.”
Anne Houston, chief executive of CHILDREN 1ST, said: “This funding is excellent news. However, it must be remembered that systems alone do not keep children safe - people do. Disclosure checks must be accompanied by good working practice, which is why our child protection in sport staff provide training, support and advice for sporting groups and bodies to ensure that children can enjoy sport safely.
“Parents have to feel confident that they are leaving their children in safe care when they are involved in sport, and organisations have a duty to make sure that children in their care are safe.”
A recent study conducted on behalf of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young people found that adults in Scotland were interested in working or volunteering with young people but were discouraged by child protection issues. The report did highlight, however, that adults who worked with young people in more structured environments such as sports clubs tended to have a more positive view of their contribution. Volunteers are the life blood of sport and the findings of this research will be used to shape the recruitment and retention process to encourage more people to become volunteers.
- The £150,000 investment in CHILDREN 1st is sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Government.
- sportscotland supports 60 Scottish sports governing bodies and in 2006 invested over £8 million in these organisations.
- sportscotland passionately believe in the benefits of sport from the enjoyment and sense of achievement that participation brings, to the shared pride that national success generates.
- Our mission is to encourage everyone in Scotland to discover and develop their own sporting experience, helping to increase participation and improve performances in Scottish sport.
- We aim to achieve our mission by leading and supporting our partners, investing National Lottery and Scottish Government funding where it counts and advising on policy and strategy for the future.
- CHILDREN 1st is one of Scotland's leading childcare charities. Their mission is to give every child in Scotland a safe and secure childhood.
- The Child Protection in Sport Steering Group is made up of representatives from CHILDREN 1st, sportscotland, Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Central Registered Body in Scotland, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Lead Officers Forum, Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils, Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Sports Association, and Skills Active