Qualifications
Before you begin to deliver online, it is important to check that you hold the correct qualifications to deliver the activities. All practitioners delivering sport and physical activity sessions online can have their qualifications checked by CIMSPA for free to assess whether they meet the sector-recognised professional standards. All sector-recognised professional standards can be found here.
- You must hold a qualification in the activity that you are delivering online that meets the sector recognised professional standard, and demonstrate the correct knowledge and skills, within the scope of your role.
- The activity qualifications that you hold must meet either the CIMSPA professional standards, national occupational standards (the standards used previously as sector-recognised standards) or be a national governing body of sport qualification.
- You should hold a qualification specific to the participant population (for example children) that you are delivering to, and demonstrate the correct knowledge and skills, within the scope of your role. Where possible this qualification should meet the sector-recognised professional standard.
Activity Disclaimers
When preparing to deliver sport and physical activity sessions online you must provide participants with access to a written disclaimer prior to the session starting. You must notify participants in advance of the session and aim to provide them with sufficient time to read and understand the disclaimer and its implications. This could be achieved by sending out an email in advance (for pre-recorded private delivery sessions), a visual screen with the information prior to the start of the session or a notice issued alongside each recorded session on your platform (for online live, pre-recorded private and pre-recorded available delivery session).
For online live and pre-recorded private sessions, the notification of the disclaimer must also include information on how they can contact you in advance to inform you of any medical conditions and injuries they need to disclose. You must keep a record of this information and advise them to seek medical advice where necessary.
At the beginning of your online sport and physical activity session you must reiterate the written disclaimer and encourage participants to take the time to review this.
To support with online delivery of sport and physical activity sessions where pre-screening is not possible, issuing a disclaimer in accordance with the points outlined below aims to provide an achievable alternative.
- Participants undertake and engage in the session without supervision at their own risk.
- The practitioner is not liable for nay injury or harm the participant sustains as a direct result of the sport and physical activity session.
- Participants are encouraged to exercise common sense and always seek the guidance of a medical professional before undertaking any form of online sport and physical activity.
- Participants with pre-existing medical conditions or injuries that may affect their ability to participate in online sport and physical activity sessions, should seek medical advice and obtain confirmation for their suitability to take part before participating.
- Participants must make the practitioner aware of any conditions or injuries prior to participating in the online sport and physical activity session.
- Record the practitioner throughout the delivery and where possible retain for up to 3 years from the date the session was delivered/published.
Safeguarding
Remote Delivery
The Child Protection in Sport Unit have built on the safeguarding guidance for schools who have introduced remote teaching offered by NSPCC to provide additional information specific to practitioners delivering sport and physical activity online which can be found here.
The switch to online sport and physical activity delivery is a great time to promote the adoption of a code of conduct by your participants which clearly outlines what is expected and what will not be tolerated when taking part in your online sport and physical activity session. It is important to ensure that your participants if of legal age or their guardian (when delivering to children and/or young people), understands and fully complies with your code of conduct and is aware of the consequences of failing to do so.
Safeguarding Adults
The Ann Craft Trust guide for sports clubs and organisations helps outline the Adult Safeguarding responsibilities during this period. This new resource includes an overview of actions that can be taken to ensure as much support as possible is provided for participants. You can access the new guide here.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Where possible when delivering in a one on one environment with a child or young person you should have a parent or guardian present throughout the session. For clarification on the definitions of a child specific to your home nation please click here.
When delivering to children and/or young people you should have an online safety policy and acceptable use policy.
The UK Safer Internet centre support the children's workforce by offering free and independent advice on any number of online safety issues.
If you are delivering sport on behalf of a national governing body you should consult your specific NGB for guidance around standard operating procedures for safeguarding and protecting children / young people.
