What is the difference between Safeguarding and child protection?
Safeguarding - is the structure and systems to prevent children coming to harm.
Child Protection - is the procedures to respond to concerns about a child.

Is there any training available that will enable me to be a club welfare officer?
Yes - the safeguarding bowls website – http://www.safeguardingbowls.org/training.html There are a number of sports organisations that have been orientated to deliver the CPSU Time To Listen designated person and welfare officer training, or which offer their own recognised equivalent training.

What is the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to provide a joined-up service combining criminal records and barring functions. It was formed from a merger between the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
For further information, please contact Joanne Shore joanneshore@eiba.co.uk

Is it a current requirement that clubs will annually check the coach’s, membership, insurance, DBS and certification in order to ensure compliance.
It is NOT a legal requirement, but the club is the employer and should ensure that those working on their behalf are fit and proper to do so, this should include their DBS check is correct and in date, and their coaching membership is still valid. For further details on becoming a Coach, please visit http://www.coachbowls.org/

What is the recommendation of the EIBA for Junior session?
The recommendation from the EIBA would be for clubs to ensure a risk assessments has been completed, that all the children in the session know who the responsible officers are at the time and if present who their Club welfare officer is.
With the Club as the employer they are aware that all their coaches have the correct DBS checks and they are up to date. If in doubt the templates/guidelines etc. are available on the safeguarding bowls website. We also strongly recommend that officers present have attended the basic “Safeguarding & Protecting Children” course through your local CSP and at least one Officer having attended the Safeguarding in Bowls - "Time to Listen" course – for details, please visit http://www.safeguardingbowls.org/training.html

Is it acceptable for junior sessions go ahead without coaches?
Potentially although dependent upon the session as what structure would be taken without a coach and would it be consistent week on week.
We recommend that those juniors attending are signed in etc. as per guidelines on safeguarding bowls website. If no coach is being used the “responsible adult” needs to be DBS checked and to have attended a basic “Safeguarding & Protecting Children” course through their local Active Partnership.

What safeguards should be in place for the clubs to be protected during coaching sessions?
Protection during a coaching session, the children before the start of the session should be made aware of the “responsible officers” and/or the Club welfare officer in case of an incident. The guidance is available on safeguarding bowls website   

Are there particular safeguards that clubs should have in place for informal U18 sessions?
There are no extra guidelines – the safeguarding standards should be met and adhered to at all times. www.safeguardingbowls.org  

What are the guidelines on physical contact with children and young people in sport?
The CPSU (Child Protection in Sport Unit) have issued guidance to all those involved in working with young people in sport, click for details

Any advice on setting up a Junior Section
We have written a guidance note for setting up a Junior section, please click here.

Can children's names, Date of Birth, and address be given out by clubs or organisations to a third party if parents haven't given consent?
The answer is no.

Up to what age can children enter a changing room of the opposite gender?
There's no set legal limit but standard accepted practice sets an age limit of under 8 to be in a changing room of the opposite gender.

Can under-15s participate in bowling activities with over-18s?
There is no definitive answer to this. Some principles for consideration are: ensure the child has reached a level of maturity and skill that enables them to participate in a mixed-age group safely and ensure over-18 participants set a positive example to the younger members of the team.

What do I do as a coach if a parent/guardian doesn’t collect their child?
In such circumstances, it may be necessary for you to consider transporting that child home. If other suitable adults are present, ask one to accompany you and the child in the car to the child’s home. If not, ensure you tell another club members of the action you are taking. Sit the child in the back of the car and make sure you know where you are going before you set of to return the child home.
NB (It has been known for the Coach to give them their mobile phone to call a friend and they talk while the whole journey takes place). When you arrive at the child’s home, hand the child to the parent. Do not get into discussion with the parent about their failure to collect their child in front of them, but suggest you will speak to the parent the following day.

What do I do if I find I am inadvertently left alone with a child?
Firstly, don’t panic. You should therefore ensure the wellbeing of the child, as that should always be the first and foremost consideration. In this case, that means you should wait with that child until the parent arrives, and use your mobile to inform another coach or committee member of the situation.
It is unlikely you will have the parent’s phone number but the child should be able to provide this, or, if they are old enough to have their own mobile phone, they can contact the parent themselves. Take sensible precautions while waiting with the child. Talk only about matters which are acceptable between coach and child and if you are in the bowling club with other users, wait for the parent in a public area. If you are at a venue that has no other users, wait in an area that is open and where the parent can clearly see you when they arrive.

As a coach, can I congratulate a child who has done well?
The answer is yes but always in a reasonable and appropriate manner, you can certainly shake the hand or a “High Five” a child who has done well.