Fun and games - playing safe

Parents and carers have a right and a responsibility to ensure that children are safe at all times. All organisations providing supervised activities, sports clubs and youth clubs have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for your child. Many activities are supported by volunteers who generously give their time to provide regular activities for your child. However, whether or not workers are paid, you have the right to expect the same standards from all organisations.

Organisations should have a code of conduct. They should tell you where to go and what to do if you or your child has any worries. You may feel reluctant to voice your concerns in case you are wrong or worried about the impact on your child, but if you are concerned you must take action:

• Speak to other parents;
• Speak to the leader in charge;
• If you are not confident that they are the right person, talk to someone more senior;
• If you are unhappy about the response you receive, remove your child.

A good organisation will welcome questions about their activities and the safety of their surroundings. All organisations should have a child protection policy, including a statement on, and guidelines about, keeping children safe.

You may want to check:

• Have the staff and volunteers gone through a proper recruitment process?
• Have references been checked?
• Is there a written code of behaviour?
• How does the organisation manage staff and volunteers?
• Does the organisation have a health and safety policy?
• Does the leader have First Aid qualifications?
• Has the premises a Fire Certificate?
• What are the arrangements when children go on outings?

Remember, listen to your children and ask questions about the activities they take part in. Children have a right to have fun and be safe.