The British Standards Institution (BSI) has introduced new safeguarding guidelines to help operators in the sport and leisure industry protect children in out-of-school settings. The guidelines, titled “Child safeguarding: Provisions for out-of-school” and settings include health clubs and sports facilities.
The guidelines aim to provide a clear framework for organisations to embed safeguarding measures into their governance, policies, and operational procedures. It applies to all providers of activities for children in out-of-school settings, including those offered free of charge or at cost, by paid staff or volunteers.
They were developed in response to concerns raised in the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse report. It found that children were at risk in some out-of-school settings due to a failure of management to adhere to basic child protection standards.
Initiated by a former senior police detective, Mark Bramah, they offer a step-by-step guide on how to put a safeguarding framework in place to protect both children and the organisations responsible for their care.
To find out more, see here.
