Information to help safeguard your British Taekwondo club during summer holiday events and activities.
The summer holidays are a fantastic opportunity to put on fun activities for children and young people at your Taekwondo club, especially young people who may feel lonely, isolated, or bored.
However, the shocking incident in Southport this week where three young children lost their lives and many more people were injured means that parents/carers are feeling more cautious about leaving their precious children in holiday clubs/activities. I think that I speak for the whole of British Taekwondo when I say that my heart goes out to each and every person affected by this tragic event.
Any holiday club should be carefully thought through and the safety and wellbeing of children put at the forefront of all your activities. Doing this requires forward-planning. We’re here to help you do just that.
If safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, everyone can have a good time, with peace of mind that should there be any concerns about the welfare of a young person, there is a system in place to ensure concerns are dealt with in an appropriate way.
So, what should you be thinking about when planning your summer camp or holiday club? We’ve got you covered.
See our top six tips below:
1. Communication
You have a safeguarding policy in place. But how will parents, staff and volunteers involved know about it? If they have questions about any of the details, do they know who they can speak to for clarification? Communicating to children and leaders about who they should speak to if they have any concerns, whether through posters, informational leaflets, or other means, is crucial.
2. Have a plan in place for worst case scenarios
We never want to have difficult conversations with children. Think about how you would deal with a concern if a child makes a disclosure to you? If you are unsure how to deal with a concern, please contact me. Even better, why not book a place on the UK Coaching Time to Listen course?
3. Ensure roles are clear
Ensure that coaches, parents, and children know who the Club Welfare Officer is and how they can be contacted. A safeguarding policy will outline the process of what to do when you’re concerned about a child or young person’s welfare and where the Club Welfare Officer will take action. Having clear boundaries in place ensures that everyone knows the scope of the actions they need to take.
4. Safer recruitment
A disclosure check is an important part of a safer recruitment process, but in reality it’s only one element of a more involved process. State your organisation’s commitment to safeguarding and the need to complete disclosure checks in the volunteer application process. Remember to submit criminal record checks with plenty of time to spare before the event starts, as volumes of applications do increase during the build-up to summer camps and other holiday activity clubs.
5. Practicalities
Conduct risk assessments about all aspects of the arrangements for your holiday club (responsibility for this can be shared between different people). Remember, while these activities may feel like a chore, they send a strong message to parents that you genuinely care for your children and young people – that you are actively creating safer places for young people to thrive. Make sure you know the contact details for the parents and the local authority where they reside too.
6. Sign up to the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts
The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts recognises clubs or providers in England who have demonstrated that they have reached and maintained good safeguarding standards. British Taekwondo support the Code and will support our clubs who can work towards attaining recognition. The scheme empowers parents/carers and educational establishments to make informed decisions when selecting a club for their child/children, young people or adults in their care.
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