From Ofsted Regulations to DBS Checks: Sports Club Safeguarding

Setting up and running an under 18s sports club is so much more than just playing sport; it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. And a key component of this is the importance of not taking a lax approach to safeguarding and complying with Ofsted and DBS checks for sports clubs.

What is Safeguarding for Sports Clubs?

 
Safeguarding is so much more than getting all of your staff DBS checked to the appropriate level to prevent unsuitable people gaining access to vulnerable groups. It also covers the recruitment process, training, support and even the policies the company has in place. It works to ensure children or vulnerable adults are safe at all times.

So, from DBS checks to Ofsted regulations, staffing to policies, here are a few things you should consider when running a sports club:

Registering with Ofsted

 
The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is in charge of inspecting and regulating all care services for children and young people. So, if you’re planning on setting up and running a sports club you should consult its website for the latest rules and regulations.

If you’re not already registered with the organisation, you’ll need to do so. That is unless all the children will be over 8 years old or you won’t be offering more than two types of activities, such as multiple sports or arts and crafts.

Note: If you need to do this, it can take up to 25 weeks for the registration to come through.

The Staff Recruitment Process

 
Recruiting staff to work at a sports club is just like advertising a job for any other position; however, there are some rules regarding child to adult ratios and qualifications they should hold. These ratios are as follows:

Reception age children or older (4 years+) – 1 adult to 30 children

Younger than reception age (under 4 years) – 1 adult to 8 children

And desirable qualifications include:

• Food handling training

• 12 Hour Paediatric Care First Aid qualification

• Child Protection Level 1 or basic qualification.

Though, further qualifications and training may be required for staff who will be working with children under the age of 4.

If your club falls under any of the categories in the first section and does not require registering with Ofsted, then there are no legal standards regarding staff. Though best practice would encourage you to use these standards as guidelines to ensure child and staff safety.

Picking a Policy

 
Before you open your doors to the public, you should ensure you have a number of policies in place. Ofsted registered organisations will be required to have a set minimum of these policies in place, and even if you’re not registered, it is still recommended to have these just in case.
Suggestions for policies include: dealing with complaints, managing behaviour and what should happen if a parent forgets to collect their child.

Don’t Forget DBS Checks!

 
Last but not least, is what we focus on – criminal background screening. DBS checks, previously known as CRB checks, are essential for any staff or volunteer that will be working with the children at your club.

Anyone who will spend time with the children unsupervised will need to have an enhanced DBS check, whether you’re Ofsted registered or not.

DBS background screening and criminal checks are part of safe recruitment protocol and will ensure those who work for you are legally considered safe to work with children. This is an in-depth check, but don’t worry, it won’t take a lot of time or money to complete if you apply today with us here at CBS.

CBS enhanced DBS checks will cost you just £44, plus an admin fee (up to £13), which you can pay by card when applying online. You’ll receive an email notification as soon as the check has been completed, plus a paper certificate between 1 and 6 weeks from submission.
So, with an affordable cost and CBS doing all the hard work for you, you can concentrate on the other elements in getting your club up and running.

If you’d like to learn more about DBS checks or any other services we offer regarding employment screening, please feel free to get in touch with our team.