DEALING WITH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
This fact sheet is designed to provide learning programme designers with information on how coaches
should deal with confidential information. A sports coach is responsible for collecting and recording a
range of information and needs to be aware of the issues of dealing with information that is regarded
as confidential.
Common units link
Child protection and safeguarding
102: Understand the principles of planning coaching
activities in sport
Coaches often share a close relationship with their participants and
may find themselves being confided in. The NSPCC has very clear
guidelines for coaches on how to deal with confidential information
relating to child protection – see Slinn (2006) in the ‘Further
reading’ section.
104: Understanding the principles of evaluating coaching
activities in sport.
Key information
Collecting information is essential for a coach. To effectively plan and
deliver a safe and enjoyable coaching session coaches need to know
the following participant information:
A Level 1 coach should be aware of:
• who the appointed child protection officer is at his or her club
• the contact number for the NSPCC and/or Child Protection in
Sport Unit for advice
• names
He or she should also:
• addresses
• reassure the child, making sure not to promise not to tell
anyone else
• dates of birth
• contact details
• identified guardian name and contact details
• medical conditions, if applicable
• specific needs, including any disability.
When collecting this information coaches need to take care not to
share or reveal any details with another person without prior
permission from the individual concerned, or their parent, guardian
or carer if under 18. In most cases, confidentiality can be achieved by
following common-sense good-practice procedures:
• request the information is written on a form, ideally prior to the
participant’s arrival at the coaching session
• do not ask for potentially confidential information to be provided
via a verbal response that could be overheard
• treat documents or forms that contain confidential information
with care (ie do not leave any forms with confidential information
lying around; place them in a folder and carry them in your bag). If
the document is in an electronic format, take care where it is
stored and who can access it. If sending a group email, use the
‘blind copy’ function unless you have prior permission to share
email contact details.
LEVEL 1
Introduction
• listen and not lead the discussion
• make an accurate written record of what was said, sign and date
it, make copies for the manager, senior coach, child protection
officer and appropriate others
• store the information in accordance with
club/organisation/governing body of sport procedures.
Suggested forms of assessment
• Multiple-choice questionnaire
• Professional discussion
• Viva voce (oral questioning)
• Poster/flip chart.
Further reading
Crisfield, P. (2003) Analysing Your Coaching. Leeds: Coachwise
Business Solutions/The National Coaching Foundation.
ISBN: 978-1-902523-14-9.
Fuller, N., Chapman, J. and Jolly, S. (2009) Positive Behaviour
Management in Sport. Leeds: Coachwise Business Solutions/The
National Coaching Foundation. ISBN: 978-1-905540-67-9.
90704:3
(Continued overleaf)
LEVEL 1: DEALING WITH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Further reading (continued)
Kirkland, S. (2009) Equity in Your Coaching. Leeds: Coachwise
Business Solutions/TheNational Coaching Foundation.
ISBN: 978-1-905540-80-8.
McQuade, S. (2003) How to Coach Sports Effectively. Leeds:
Coachwise Business Solutions/The National Coaching
Foundation. ISBN: 978-1-902523-52-1.
Miles, A. (2004) ‘The coaching process’, in What is Sports
Coaching? Leeds: Coachwise Business Solutions/The National
Coaching Foundation. ISBN: 978-1-902523-51-4.
Slinn, N. (2006) Safeguarding and Protecting Children: A Guide for
Sportspeople. Leeds: Coachwise Business Solutions/The National
Coaching Foundation. ISBN: 978-1-905540-26-6.
LEVEL 1: DEALING WITH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION