Get Your Club Accredited
BSUK Club Accreditation
Sports clubs, teams and community groups that make provision for children, young people, the elderly and vulnerable make an enormous contribution to the sporting and social life of our nation. They do not just provide an opportunity for people to learn sport they give them the opportunity to socialise, to improve their self-confidence and self esteem and also ensure they enjoy the sheer pleasure of sport and participation. And, when such clubs, teams and groups motivate and coach people well, they give them a love for their sport and healthy activity that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
It is also vital that these clubs, teams and groups provide an environment that is safe and in the case of youngsters meets their duty of care and child protection responsibilities. So the challenge to all clubs, teams and groups who work or want to work in sport is to provide a quality experience that is both safe and attractive to the participants and to those who may care for them.
The accreditation scheme is designed to ensure that clubs, teams and groups meet standards that will lead to better quality provision. Clubs, teams and groups will be required to go through an auditing process that will need them to provide evidence that they have systems in place covering key areas of provision such as
- Coaching and competition
(Coaching qualifications, insurance, competitions programme)
- The protection and safety of children, young people, the elderly and vulnerable
(Child Protection policy, CRB checks, Codes of Conduct)
- Knowing your club and its community
(Equal Opportunity Policy, Codes of Conduct for parents etc., set of rules for children, Equity Action Plan)
- Club Management
(Affiliated to governing body, membership policy, communication with parents/carers, school/club links)
- Volunteer Management
(Volunteer co-ordinator, volunteer roles, CRB checks, volunteer mentors)
An evidence file will be produced by the club, team or group that will be overseen by BSUK and our assessors. On completion of the audit they will receive BSUK accreditation that will recognise their effort in becoming a quality club, team or group that provides a safe, effective and friendly experience.
The accreditation scheme will promote clubs, teams and groups that are more organised and resourced. They will be able to build upon this initial development, strengthening their organisation and move into specific areas such as disability training, to further develop the club or group. They will be able to increase membership ensuring the future of the organisation, be networked into local and regional organisations and be promoted in the local community.
BSUK accreditation will provide carers and parents with the knowledge that the clubs, teams and groups are committed to providing a safe experience for youngsters. It will also provide schools and colleges with the confidence to promote clubs, teams and groups to their pupils and students. Finally the scheme will put in place an internal auditing system within the club, team or group to ensure that standards are maintained into the future.
The accreditation scheme will be based upon information and evidence provided by the club and as such will be limited to the information given at that time. It will also be up to the club to maintain the systems and update the information as an on-going process. This internal process will be checked annually by BSUK using an annual health check process.
To get your club on the road to accreditation, contact your BSUK Point Person or BSUK's National Club Development Manager, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Find out more about Clubmark.
