Cumbria Sport Partnership achieves NSPCC Safeguarding Standard

29th August 2007

Following the achievement of the NSPCC Preliminary Standard for Safeguarding & Protecting Children in July 2005, Cumbria Sport Partnership are delighted to announce that we have received national recognition for our commitment to safeguarding and child protection by achieving the Intermediate Standard.

The standards, published by the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), provide a national benchmark of good practice for sports organisations to work towards, in order to raise awareness among staff and volunteers, and minimise avoidable risks.

A wide range of safeguarding and child protection issues are incorporated within the standards, which fall into ten categories. Cumbria Sport Partnership will now work towards maintaining the work in the areas included in the Intermediate Standard, as well as taking action to achieve the Advanced Standard from May 2008.

Cumbria Sport Partnership and Sport England shares the NSPCC’s belief that all children have a right to be safe at all times and that the adults responsible for them should have the knowledge, skills, information and support to be able to protect children under their supervision.

Cumbria Sport Partnership has also launched a number of ‘Help Keep Sport Safe in Cumbria’ leaflets that provide useful advice and support on Safeguarding Children in Sport. These resources, as well as the Cumbria Sport Partnership Safeguarding Policy, are available in the Safeguarding Section of our website at www.cumbriasport.com.

Bruce Lawson, Development Manager (Sporting Infrastructure) at Cumbria Sport Partnership said ‘the attainment of this standard is great news for Cumbria Sport and our wider partners. This achievement allows up to set a high standard to make sport safe in Cumbria. By providing advice and support across our sporting networks we are making an important contribution to helping create a safe sporting environment for children and young people, ensuring that they are protected from harm”.

Eddie Edge, Partnership Director at Cumbria Sport Partnership said “Sport plays an important part in the lives of many children and their families. At Cumbria Sport Partnership, we want to ensure that it remains safe and enjoyable for all, and the achievement of the Intermediate Standard for Safeguarding & Protecting Children demonstrates our commitment to keeping sport safe in Cumbria”.

For more information on Child Protection in Sport visit the Child Protection in Sport Unit’s website at www.thecpsu.org.uk or contact Bruce Lawson at Cumbria Sport Partnership on 01228 601254 or email bruce.lawson@cumbriacc.gov.uk.