We have updated some of our policies and procedures and produced new guidance to create a safe environment for the thousands of children and young people whose lives are enriched by archery.
Archery GB’s safeguarding team have completed a full review of the Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People policy and procedures.
To do this we consulted with the Child Protection in Sport Unit and the Independent Chair of the Case Management Panel. The review incorporated legislative changes such as 'Closing the loophole' which places a duty of care on coaches, protecting young people from abuse, learning from the Whyte Review and safeguarding/conduct cases.
The policy and procedures have been split into two separate documents for ease of use with black and white versions to increase accessibility.
We have also created two guidance documents in response to frequently asked questions. They are: Good Practice Guidance and What is Abuse? The Good Practice Guidance provides some useful information about general safeguarding good practice including adult/child ratios, supervision and safeguarding training plus much more. The What is Abuse? guide sets out the different types of abuse and signs to look out for. We have also produced accessible versions of these guides.
The policy and procedures apply to everyone in our sport including the board, staff, volunteers, coaches, officials, clubs, counties, regions, home nations, members, contractors, and commissioned service providers. Everyone has a duty to familiarise themselves with the policy and procedures and read the guidance to help keep young archers safe.
Clubs, counties, regions and home counties should also ensure their web links and paper copies of the policy and procedures are updated.
Anne Rook, Archery GB’s National Lead Safeguarding Officer said: "The safeguarding team would like to thank Liza Ware of the Child Protection in Sport Unit and Justine Hosking, the Independent Chair of the Case Management Panel for their help with the review."
All of the documents can be accessed via the links in this article or from the Safeguarding Polices and Guides page of this website. We have also added the documents to the members' section of our website, behind sign in, so that every member sees them when signing in to their account.
