Sports clubs hit hard by new child laws
Author: Doug Gillion - The Herald
Date: 09 Feb 2005
Category: Articles
In one of Glasgow's middle-class
ghettos, an evening badminton club in a local school has closed its
doors to pupils because of new child protection legislation.
It
has been operating for many years, with the majority of members being
adults. Senior pupils were allowed because it was regarded as a useful
social and sporting transition to adulthood. But no more. New
legislation has made their presence more trouble than it is worth. The
club is now adult-only.
There's
anecdotal evidence of similar cases, but at least such clubs have a
choice. The majority do not, because every voluntary sports club which
includes vulnerable adults or people under 18 is subject to the new
legislation.
At
cross-country races, I have witnessed girls lying in the mud, in
freezing conditions or pouring rain, either injured or simply
distressed. Adults hover nearby. Humanity begs their intervention, but
it is usually withheld, because of fears that it may be misinterpreted.
Some officials are disinclined to continue helping sports which they have served
for a lifetime.There
are no sport-specific statistics on child abuse in Scotland, but
sufficient court cases to underline that children in clubs can be at
risk.
Since last month,
under the Protection of Children in Scotland Act, it has been been a
legal requirement for all organisations using paid and voluntary
workers in "child-care" roles to check every sports club volunteer.
Organisations
have a legal duty to refer any child-carer who has harmed a child or
placed one at risk, and has been dismissed or moved away from contact
with children as a consequence.
Though
an organisation called Disclosure Scotland was set up in 2002 to carry
out checks on potential employees and volunteers, retrospective checks
are not as yet law.
The
Central Registered Body for Scotland (CRBS) is accountable to the
Scottish Executive. It processes free checks specifically for voluntary
organisations, some of whom have scant appreciation of what they must
do to remain within the law, and see the issue as a minefield.
An
information seminar for sport clubs in Glasgow will be held tomorrow at
7pm in the Palace of Art at Bellahouston (call 0141 287 3649 for
details). It is being organised by the Sports Council for Glasgow
(scg@cls.glasgow.gov.uk) in conjunction with the CRBS (crbs.org.uk) and
Children 1st (children1st.org.uk).
Other
local authorities are holding similar sessions, and some clubs will
register with the CRBS for authority to progress their own disclosure
checks.
The disturbing
thought, however, is that checks are more for the conscience of clubs
and governing bodies than kids. Checks do not demonstrate aptitude for
being involved with children, merely a lack of any conviction.
Someone
with convictions for indecency, paedophilia, or sexual abuse, can
change their name (and/or address) and would not be revealed by a
disclosure report.
Children
1st acknowledge checks are no guarantee. "It's a small part of child
protection, and any step towards good practice is welcome," said
spokeswoman Kathleen McInulty. "The executive has set aside money to
help small clubs continue to operate. There is a network in place to
help."
