The BAB have appointed an new External Independent Safeguarding Child Protection officer who has over 30 years of experience in the field of child protection; she is a qualified social worker, a Children's Guardian in the Courts, and has acted as an advisor for other sports governing bodies. She works closely with the NSPCC.
This heralds a new phase in moving forward the BAB Child Protection strategy.
For the moment, the formal Child protection training workshop at Summer School is postponed, as Aikido associations are awaiting to be briefed further on how the BAB Child Protection strategy will develop. The BAF CPO will ensure that the BAF members feel supported in any new roles that may have to be undertaken.
Although the formal training has been postponed, all instructors that teach under-18s, should meet at the end of the usual instructors' meeting that takes place at Summer School. (The exact time and place are to be confirmed at Summer School.)
The BAF CPO will continue to do CRB checks for those clubs that have identified a Child Welfare officer, and can be approached to arrange a mutually convenient time to do the check.