What is it all about?

The "Serious about Child Protection" accreditation scheme is run by the Leisure Developments team and promotes good practice with regard to child protection.  Therefore any group that successfully gains accreditation through the scheme is seen to have basic procedures and policies in place to address child protection issues and be working towards safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Groups who have been accredited so far:

• Acorn Gym Club
• AFC Ewell Football Club
• Ajima AJ Independent Martial Arts
• Beecholme Belles Football Club
• Cheam Gymnastics Club 
• Christ Church Bellringers
• Epsom Baptist Church Centre 
• Epsom District Swimming Club
• Epsom Downs Playgroup
• Epsom Eagles Football Club 
• Epsom Golf Club  
• Epsom and Ewell Colts Football Club 
• Epsom and Ewell District Scouts
• Epsom and Ewell Karate Club
• Epsom and Ewell Ki Aikido Club
• Epsom and Ewell PHAB
• Nam Yang Pugilistic Association 
• Ruxley Gymnastics Club 
• Stoneleigh Athletic Football Club
• Sutton and Epsom Rugby Football Club
• The Ruxley Playgroup

Accreditation Criteria

1. Assign an adult as a dedicated Child Protection Officer for the group, who will lead on any child protection issues.
2. Undertake relevant child protection training every 2 years to ensure the group is aware of the up-to-date guidelines and procedures recommended by the child protection professionals.  This training should be carried out by the Child Protection Officer as well as at least 1 other adult member of the group who works directly with vulnerable people.
3. Carry out CRB checks every 2 years on all adults who directly work with vulnerable people.
4. Obtain a copy of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s 'Child Protection Guidelines for Voluntary Groups within Epsom and Ewell’ from the Leisure Developments Team.
5. Have written a Child Protection Policy (and then subsequently put in place the various procedures written within the policy) or be working towards writing a Child Protection Policy for the group.

Evidence Required

• Groups will need to provide the necessary evidence to verify their achievement of all of these targets.  (This is explained on the Application Form.)
• The applications will be assessed by the Leisure Developments team upon application.
• Once groups have demonstrated all 5 targets they will be officially accredited with Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Child Protection logo and will be able to use the logo on all future correspondence and promotional material.

Publicity

• By becoming officially accredited, groups will be awarded a certificate to display their status and will also be noted in Leisure Listings and our Summer Holiday Activities Leaflet.
• The groups will also be allowed to use the logo on their headed paper or their own website to promote their achievement. 

Withdrawal of Accreditation

• Accreditation will be withdrawn pending a full investigation into the culpability of an organisation in the event to proven allegations of child abuse.
• In the event of alleged misconduct, the Council reserves the right to withdraw accreditation whilst an investigation is carried out.

Period of Accreditation

• Accreditation will last for a period of 24 months.
• Application for renewal must be made no later than 3 months prior to the end of the accreditation period.Application Form
  Renewal Form
  
  For more specific advice and information on Child Protection visit the Surrey Safeguarding Childrens Board website, or for more specific advice within sport the Child Protection Sports Unit website.