Riding Club Child Protection Requirements

Sussexbythesea

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Our Riding Club wants to offer Junior Membership 12 - 17yrs. We do not plan to do any events where children are unnacompanied by a parent or guardian in fact it will be a stipulation that a parent or authorised adult (i.e. friends parent) is present at all events e.g. shows and clinics. Mostly they wouldn't be able to attend without an adult as they can't drive anyway.

Are there any legal requirements we have to fulfill? Any ideas where I could start to find out?

Many thanks
 
You should find some information on the BEF website - the BEF have recently co-ordinated a child protection course which is suitable and approved for all equestrian disciplines. Failing that, it was written in association with the NSPCC so that could be another port of call.

At the least, ideally, you want an appointed person to be the child protection representative for your club. Possibly a parent or other volunteer who works as a teacher/social worker/similar who has some knowledge in this area. This person should ideally be CRB checked but at the very least should sign a self declaration stating they have no convictions or restrictions which mean they should not work with children or vunerable adults.

All of your instructors should recieve child protection and safeguarding training. If they are BHS registered they will already have done this. If not the BHS provide training (a single, 3 hour session. Usually in an evening) for around £30pp. I would encourage as many of your active comittee to become trained as well.
These training sessions will provide your people with the knowledge of how to best arange events etc to ensure child protection is covered.
 
Thanks for this - I hope it's not going to be too much of a minefield as it would be a shame as it seems quite a lot of Junior riders are interested in joining.
 
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