7.7 Reports not meeting police or child protection service thresholds for action
Serious allegations of child abuse will usually be taken up by the police and other local child protection services. However, there are cases where concerns are referred to external services, but they fail to meet the minimum evidence or severity required for external action – known as their threshold for action – and these cases need to be handled internally.
Taking action internally when a case does not meet external services or criminal thresholds
Read the following account, and then answer the questions below:
Your organisation receives a report from the organiser of the national boys’ junior championships.
The under-16s cup was won by your team – which had a low ranking. That evening, there are reports of a noisy party being held in your team’s dormitory – and that some of the players and coaches were drinking alcohol.
When staff went to see what was happening, they found the team celebrating wildly and some of the players were even drinking cans of beer. But the main concern was the state of the two coaches – who were so drunk that they could hardly stand.
The event organisers made sure that the boys were settled down and arranged for other staff to supervise them overnight.
What are the safeguarding concerns that this situation raises?
What additional action (if any) should be taken in relation to the coaches – and why?
What additional action (if any) could be taken in relation to the players – and why?
Comment
What are the safeguarding concerns that this situation raises?
| This is largely about poor practice and a breach of the |
| There is potential for harm arising from drunken behaviour and possible legal issues (giving children alcoholic drinks, vandalism, or property damage). |
| With no sober supervisors for the team, there are associated risks (e.g. not being able to respond appropriately to an emergency). |
What additional action (if any) should be taken in relation to the coaches – and why?
| Formal disciplinary investigation based on a serious breach of the code of conduct. |
| Consider a temporary suspension while this process is undertaken. |
| Possible start of legal proceedings if in breach of local laws. |
| If not suspended, mandatory further education or a refresh of the coaches’ safeguarding responsibilities towards the children under their care. |
What additional action (if any) could be taken in relation to the players – and why?
| Disciplinary investigation for a breach of the code of conduct. |
| Formal warning or education about the implications of the consumption of alcohol (a reminder of the players’ responsibilities and the code of conduct, healthy lifestyles). |
| Players could be suspended or banned from a future competition. |
When concerns do not reach the threshold for referring on to external services or the police, the organisation has a responsibility to investigate, assess, and take appropriate action using its own resources and systems. This type of scenario demonstrates the importance of an organisation’s codes of conduct. You will explore these types of situations further in the next course.
7.6 The value of involving others when making decisions
