A critical evaluation of training needs for child protection in UK sport

Abstract

Child protection is a relatively new topic in sport about which there was no professional education until the mid-1990s. This paper presents the findings from a study of delegates attending 12, regional, one-day National Coaching Foundation courses for policy makers in sport during 1997 and 1998 ( n = 235). The course was designed to give delegates a basic awareness of the different forms of child abuse and protection and was intended to help them develop appropriate policies and procedures for child protection. This paper identified key issues facing policy makers, administrators, practising sports coaches and volunteers. Results point to a serious training gap around child protection in sport. Sports personnel, at both junior and senior levels, are committed to improving child protection policy and practice; however, they appear to lack the confidence, knowledge or organizational systems for doing this effectively. Conclusions are drawn about further research and training needs identified by this study.