Child Protection
All WPBSA accredited coaches who intend to coach children in the UK are required to undergo screening before they are permitted to become accredited.
These coaches are all checked under the Data & Barring Service (“DBS”), formerly Criminal Record Bureau CRB, before they are provided with their WPBSA Children & Adults Coaching Card. In the event that the check reveals a disclosure (an instance of a Criminal Record) the WPBSA will undergo a risk assessment having made all of the appropriate enquiries to ascertain the full circumstances of the situation disclosed, in order to decide whether or not it is appropriate to licence the coach.
The DBS checks are refreshed on a 3 year basis and all WPBSA coaches are required to make a voluntary disclosure of any instance of criminal activity in the period between checks.
In addition to the DBS check, all coaches are trained in the WPBSA child protection policies and procedures as part of each coaching course and they are required to adhere to the WPBSA Child Protection Policy. The Child Protection Policy section of the WPBSA Members’ Rules can be found by clicking on the link.