WELLBEING & PROTECTION OFFICER ROLE DESCRIPTOR

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CLUB WELLBEING & PROTECTION OFFICER WITHIN A SWIMMING CONTEXT INCLUDE:

  • an understanding of, and support for, the introduction / maintenance of a Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy
  • an interest the well-being and safeguarding of children and child protection matters
  • the ability to follow procedures and to know when to seek advice and not rely solely on own judgement
  • strong listening skills and the ability to deal with sensitive situations with integrity and confidentiality
  • may currently work in a similar environment with training

MAIN FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

  • Implement the Scottish Swimming Wellbeing & Protection/Children & Young People policy and procedures.
  • Encourage good practice by promoting and championing the wellbeing & protection policy and procedures.
  • Conduct the administrative work associated with processing information on new volunteers / staff, including
  • PVG forms for the club
  • Liaise closely with Club volunteers / staff, ensuring that agreed procedures for the prevention of risk are followed
  • Monitor and review the clubs wellbeing & protection policy and procedures to ensure they remain current and fit for purpose.
  • Counsel / advise club on matters of policy relating to wellbeing & protection.
  • Raise awareness of the Club Wellbeing & Protection Officer role to parents/carers, adults, and children involved in the club.
  • Raise awareness of the Code of Conduct for working with children to parents/carers, adults and children involved in the club.
  • Challenge behaviour which breaches the Code of Conduct.
  • Organise/signpost appropriate training for all adults working/volunteering with children in the club.
  • Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns which relate to the well-being of a child.
  • Maintain confidential records of reported cases and action taken.
  • Where required liaise with the Scottish Swimming Wellbeing & Protection Officer and/or statutory agencies and ensure they have access to all necessary information.

SKILLS / ATTRIBUTES

  • Good organisation and communication skills
  • Reliable, trustworthy and a good listener
  • Understanding & appreciation for the need for confidentiality
  • Approachable & friendly
  • Experience of working with children

REQUIREMENTS

  • PVG Scheme Membership or the ability to gain membership
  • Complete a self-declaration
  • Scottish Swimming member
  • Attend appropriate training

Child Wellbeing and Protection Training

Child Wellbeing & Protection in Sport (renewed every 3 years)

The Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport course is for coaches and sports volunteers. It is the recognised course for safeguarding training in sport and has been developed and certificated by sportscotland and Children 1st.
It comprises of an eLearning session

(Module 1), which must be completed first,

(Module 2) followed by a 3-hour face-to-face or virtual course

After module 1 you will be able to:

  • Understand what is meant by ‘child wellbeing and protection’
  • Recognise the value of a child-centred approach to child wellbeing and protection.
  • Identify good practice in relation to child wellbeing and protection and how this impacts the sports environment.
  • Recognise the legislative and policy framework around child wellbeing and protection.
  • Identify and respond to possible child wellbeing or protection concerns.
  • Identify the limits of your safeguarding role and know when to get support.

After module 2 will be able to:

  • Identify and recognise good coaching practice and the implications for your coaching
  • Explore barriers that prevent disclosures
  • Recognise and respond to child wellbeing and child concerns
  • Take appropriate action if concerns about a child arises

The course maintains similar content with the addition of a mandatory pre course online element. Please note that as the online element is mandatory if it has not been completed Sport Scotland will not issue the relevant certificate of completion.

Child Wellbeing & Protection in Sport: Officer Training (renewed every 3 years)

(Formerly In Safe Hands)

This 3-hour workshop supports clubs to put wellbeing & protection policies in to practice. It is most suitable for club Wellbeing & Protection Officers (WPOs), Presidents, Club Chairs and Team Managers.

Using layered case studies, interactive group work and personal reflection tasks, delegates will be supported to develop key skills and knowledge required to promote the wellbeing of children and young people in sport and respond effectively to concerns of harm or abuse. As this workshop is aimed at those leading their organisation in this area, case management skills are a significant element of the training.

Workshop aims:

To provide participants with the opportunity to further develop skills in fulfilling their role as Wellbeing and Protection Officer To provide the opportunity for Wellbeing and Protection Officers to explore, in more detail, the type of wellbeing and protection concerns that may arise for children and young people within, or outwith, the SGB, club environment and how to respond effectively To help SGB/clubs implement practices and procedures to keep children and young people safe. Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

  • Confidently assess the suitability of an individual to work with children and young people.
  • Understand legal responsibilities relating to PVG checks or referrals to Disclosure Scotland and identify who is responsible for this in their setting.
  • Respond effectively to wellbeing and protection concerns that may arise in or out-with the club environment.
  • Recognise ways in which club culture influences the wellbeing and protection of children and identify methods for effecting cultural change in this important area.

Topics

  • Recruitment and selection
  • Responding to child protection and well-being concerns
  • Information sharing
  • Fact finding and case referrals
  • An introduction to PVG

Those attending this workshop must have already attended the Safeguarding & Protecting Children (SPC) workshop or the Child Wellbeing & Protection in Sport (CWPS) workshop.

To find out more about these courses contact out training coordinator in the first instance by email via training@yeaaba.org