Development

Stop Press - Disability Open Day at the NIC
(December 2004)
I would like to take the opportunity to update you on some of the work that NISA has been working on over the last 6 months within the area of Child Protection.
The National Ice Skating Association strives to ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst participating in ice skating activities.
The first NISA Child Protection Policy was written in 2002 and has recently been extensively reviewed by the NISA Child Protection Steering Group to create two new documents for the Association:

• NISA Child Protection Policy (UK Wide)
• NISA Child Protection Procedures (England and Wales)
  (documents are currently being finalised for Northern Ireland and Scotland)

The documents have been revised to ensure that they comply with the standards developed by the NSPCC Child Protection in Sports Unit. They cover a wide range of issues such as safe recruitment procedures, good practice guidance and responding to concerns. The policy will be mandatory for all officials, staff and affiliated clubs.
NISA started to distribute the documents for Coaches, Judges, Official's and affiliated Clubs (Secretaries) at the skatesmart.com British Ice Figure and Dance Championships 2004. Copies are currently in the process of being sent out to Coaches, Judges, Official's and affiliated Clubs who did not collect them during the championships. Please note, three pages within the documents are to be signed (by Coaches, Judges, Test Organisers, affiliated Clubs and any other ‘officials') and returned to NISA prior to 1st February 2004.
The documents are also available to download below (for club members, parents etc.).

Child Protection Procedures (England & Wales) - Click here to download
NISA Policy Manual for Officials - Click here to download

Over the next 4 years NISA, along with many other sports governing bodies, is required to meet various standards set by the Child Protection in Sport Unit and Sport England. NISA has now successfully achieved the required Preliminary Level of the NSPCC Standards for safeguarding and protecting children in Sport and the award will hopefully be presented to the NISA Board of Directors in February 2005. 
NISA are in the process of applying to CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) as an organisation to undertake CRB checks on our coaches, judges and officials (Home country equivalent checks will also be undertaken). This will be in addition to the current process of self declaration. We hope to be able to start CRB checks from March 2005.
Within clubs/rinks we would like to see a network of Club Welfare Officers who act as a point of contact locally for child protection information. Could I ask clubs/rinks to contact me directly if they already have such a person in place or if they would like further information.
A dedicated email address for child protection has now been set up at
childprotection@iceskating.org.uk

If you have any questions about this area please do not hesitate to contact me at  amanda.hembrow@iceskating.org.uk

Many Thanks
Amanda Hembrow
National Sports Development Officer