Everyone has a responsibility to keep children and adults at risk safe. It’s important to know who’s helping your child with their horse or pony and their riding, to understand what’s expected of your child and, in turn, how you and their coach are expected to behave. A well-run club or venue will be happy to share how they organise things. These FAQs are here to help you. For more information on best practice please see our top tips.
Accredited venues and their coaches will have received safeguarding training and will have standards in place to help ensure a safe and inclusive environment for participants, staff and volunteers.
You can search online to find out whether your venue is accredited, or ask the venue or Member Body for more information. You can ask:
Is my child’s coach criminal record checked, safeguarding trained and qualified?
How can I get a copy of the club or venue’s safeguarding policy and procedures?
Who is the club/venue’s Safeguarding Officer for my child and how do I contact them?
What is the role of the Safeguarding Officer?
What should I do if I have a complaint?
If I have a concern about a child or someone’s behaviour towards a child, what should I do?
Do you have codes of conduct for the club/venue and where can I view them?
How will you keep in touch with me or my child?
How will you support my child’s medical and/or additional needs? (If appropriate)
All BEF member bodies and their associated venues must have a Safeguarding Children Policy, a Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy, and have a Safeguarding Officer who has been trained in safeguarding and had a criminal record check that has been approved by their Member Body.
It is important to know who your Safeguarding Officer is because any concerns can be reported to them directly and they are trained to manage that information.
For venues who are not accredited, concerns need to be reported to the local authority.
For more information see: Running safe events - British Equestrian
Choosing a coach who’s recognised, accredited or approved by a British Equestrian member body is a good way of ensuring they have the necessary qualifications and compliance in place, and that their coaching practice is of a high standard. All accredited coaches must hold an up-to-date criminal record check and be trained in safeguarding and first-aid.
Many of our member bodies have their own accreditation or approval scheme, so visit your discipline’s website or use the links below to find a coach who specialises in your chosen discipline:
Find a coach | The British Horse Society (bhs.org.uk)
Certificate in Equestrian Coaching | Association of British Riding Schools (abrs-info.org)
Horseball Coaches | British Horseball
Coaching | The Pony Club UK (pcuk.org)
British Reining Professional Coaches
Coaches – The Official Website of British Showjumping
UKPA Coaches – UK Polocrosse Association
horsescotland and British Horse Society also accredit coaches across all disciplines.
Find more information on choosing a coach here.
Some common signs that there may be something concerning happening in a child’s life include:
unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
becoming withdrawn
seeming anxious
becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
lacks social skills and has few friends, if any
poor bond or relationship with a parent
knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age
running away or going missing
always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body.
These signs don’t necessarily mean that a child is being abused, there could be other things happening in their life which are affecting their behaviour – but we can help you to assess the situation.
You may also notice some concerning behaviour from adults who you know have children in their care, which makes you concerned for the child/children’s safety and wellbeing.
Read more via: NSPCC spotting signs-child abuse
Coaches should ensure that they use a business profile to communicate with any children and keep all messages strictly about coaching and lessons to maintain professional boundaries.
As a parent you should ensure that you are copied into any messages between your child and coach, for example using a Whatsapp Group Chat.
The coaching code of conduct can be found here: Code of Conduct and Ethics for Coaches and Trainers
As a parent or carer you are responsible for ensuring that your child gets to and from venues safely.
British Equestrian and the CPSU advise against coaches, volunteers or staff transporting children alone in their vehicles. If journeys are required, plan in advance to consider the following:
The driver should have agreed to a vetting check (where appropriate) and suitability should be established.
A person other than the planned driver should talk to the child about transport arrangements to check they are comfortable about the plans.
Ensure drivers have valid vehicle insurance, MOT and driving licence prior to carrying any passengers.
The individual should check with their own insurance company if they want to use their vehicle as part of their paid/volunteer role.
When transporting children after an event or training session staff/volunteers should alternate which child is dropped off last. Ideally two children would be dropped off at an agreed point such as one of their family homes.
Drivers must register their vehicle with the venue.
Parents/carers should be informed of transport arrangements including the person who will be transporting their child, the reasons why and how long the journey will take.
Drivers must only use vehicles with seat belts and ensure that their passengers are wearing these when in transit.
Parents/carers must give written permission if their child is being transported in another adult’s vehicle.
Detailed guidelines on transporting children are available via: Guidelines on transportation
If you have a concern about the welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk, or the behaviour of an adult towards a child, young person or adult at risk, you must report it as soon as possible.
Use the Report a concern form, or speak to the Safeguarding Officer at your venue, Member Body, or the BEF directly via safeguarding@bef.co.uk
For more information please see: Reporting a problem - British Equestrian
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