Clubs and Child Protection

Liability

All clubs inviting people under the age of 18 to participate in lacrosse activities outside their home environment; or relying upon such people to provide a foundation, upon which their club is constructed, have an irrefutable responsibility to safeguard the welfare and safety of those young people.

In the past lacrosse has lacked an awareness of child welfare and protection issues.  However, over recent years the sport has begun to develop an insight into the need to protect children and focus on their welfare   The increased awareness of issues in relation to child abuse in sport and lacrosse continue to evolve but, ultimately, enforcement of Child Protection guidelines comes down to the grass roots level - you, your club or your juniors. 

Child-protection legislation in the UK stipulates that organisations and individuals involved with children and young people have a duty to protect them from all foreseeable and perceived harm.

British law states that an individual or group is guilty of an offence if they knowingly ‘offer work (paid or voluntary) to or fail to remove an individual from work with children’ if they have certain previous convictions.  This offence carries a prison sentence.  This does not even take into consideration the fact that an individual or group can be subject to civil litigation if a child is abused in their care.

Every club has a ‘Duty of Care’ to fulfil.  This means that clubs must do all that they can to protect children in their ‘care’ and the liability to ensure this is done is the responsibility of each club and the individuals that administer it.

Each club needs to manage this liability and in order to assist in that process English Lacrosse has developed policies, practices and procedures centred on the protection and welfare of children involved in club lacrosse.  All this information is available for download from English Lacrosse’s website here.  It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that these policies, practices and procedures are embedded into all of your lacrosse activities at your club.

A major part of each club's responsibility is to identify individuals with access to children and initiate the appropriate checks.  Accessibility to Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks in lacrosse has never been easier.   All coaches, umpires, junior managers and other volunteers who come into regular contact with children should be CRB checked.  Information for this is available through the link in the paragraph above 

Remember that the CRB process is only one part of a comprehensive vetting procedure.  Information and references from an individual’s previous lacrosse club or trusted professional references are also necessary. 

Additionally, adopting and implementing the guidance in English Lacrosse Child Protection and Welfare Policy and appointing a Club Welfare Officer assist in reducing liability and working towards complying with your duty of care.

Children can be assets in clubs striving to achieve good practice.  Simply asking the young people in your club what they are experiencing and how you can work together to resolve issues ensures a comprehensive and commendable approach.  Furthermore, remember that a parent is not absolved of their responsibilities simply because their child is at your club.

If we are to protect young people involved in the sport of lacrosse we must realise that naivety and ignorance have no place in our sport and it is each individual’s responsibility to follow the policies, procedures and practices to ensure our sport is safe for all.

If you require further information please contact the English Lacrosse Child Protection Officer:

Karen Hughes
Lead Child Protection Officer
k.hughes@englishlacrosse.co.uk