Certification courses for:
Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport (CWPS)
Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer (CWPO)
Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport
The Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport (CWPS) certification course, developed by sportscotland in partnership with Children First, is a nationally recognised training programme designed to raise awareness, educate workforce, and safeguard children and young people participating in sport across Scotland. It provides all necessay information, guidance and training for our Ambassador and Club Coach workforce who intend to deliver activities with children and young people. CWPS training ensures that every child's rights and wellbeing are promoted, supported and safeguarded through a culture of positive practice to keep our sport safe.
​
Here's what the training includes:
​
The certification course is structured into 2 modules.
​
Module 1
1-hour e-Learning
An introductory e-Learning module accessed via the sportscotland digital Brightspace resource, covering the key concepts such as child-centred approaches, understanding good practice, legislative frameworks, and how to identify and respond to wellbeing concerns. This is a short online course that takes approx 1-hour and can be completed at the learners own pace. Module 1 must be completed before attending the Module 2 online group session.
(The module link and joining instructions for e-Learning are provided when you book a place on the course.)
Module 2
3-hour online group learning session
This is an interactive tutor-led online (Zoom) group learning session that will deepen understanding through practical safeguarding scenarios that are discussed and considered so that learners gain confidence for delivering activities with children and young people. This module explores barriers to disclosure, how to create a positive child-centred culture in our sport, and effective response strategies for dealing with child wellbeing and protection concerns and referrals.
Benefits of completing CWPS certification course:
​
-
Learn about the sportscotland guidelines and the Children First eight standards for child wellbeing and protection in sport.
-
Certification is one of the mandatory Pickleball Scotland safeguarding requirements for delivery of a regulated role, e.g. pickleball activities for children under 18. See policy document for more information.
-
It provides the knowledge, confidence and competence to create safer sporting environments, so you and your club can respond appropriately to concerns and promote a club culture that keeps children safe, healthy, nurtured and respected.
-
Ensures that workforce understand the importance of children and young people having the opportunity to express their views, be listened to and be involved in decisions effecting them, so every child's rights and wellbeing are protected.
-
Your certification will be valid for three years, with an online refresher course available to ensure you maintain up-to-date safeguarding knowledge.
This training course not only enhances personal and professional development, but it also helps achieve good practice, implementation of policy, strengthening the integrity of our workforce and ensuring the Scottish pickleball community is a safe environment for children and young people.
Our next Pickleball Scotland CWPS course:
Date: Monday 13th October
Time: 18:00 PM – 21:00 PM
Venue: Online training
Cost: FREE
Apply by emailing inclusion@pickleballscotland.org
Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer
Completion of the Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer (CWPO) training course offers a wide range of benefits for individuals and pickleball clubs intending to plan for future delivery of regulated roles for under-18s as part of their recreational programme, e.g. junior sessions or involvement with young persons leagues. See policy document for more information about the safeguards that are required to be in place.
Clubs must ensure that the Children First eight standards for child wellbeing and protection in sport (CWPS) have been adopted by their committee, group and/or organisation, club officials, Ambassadors, Coaches, and volunteers, so that every child's rights and wellbeing are promoted, supported and safeguarded. The club must designate a trained Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer who has an up-to-date CWPS certification and completion of CWPO training is one of the mandatory requirements prior to delivery of regulated roles for under 18s commencing. Clubs will be expected to provide evidence to Pickleball Scotland that safeguarding policies and procedures are in place along with the CWPS and CWPO certifications.
We are pleased to have a sportscotland approved tutor delivering these courses for our Pickleball Scotland workforce.
Duration: 3-hour tutor-led online (Zoom) group learning session.
Pre-course requirement: Hold a current CWPS certification.
Here's what the course covers:
​​
-
Enhanced safeguarding culture
CWPO training helps clubs embed child wellbeing and protection into their culture, ensuring that safeguarding is not just a policy but a lived practice. -
Clear governance frameworks
Participants learn to identify and implement club governance structures that will support safe environments for children and young people and uphold the Pickleball Scotland values, policies and safeguarding procedures, so that the sportscotland and Children First CWPS standards are met, as well as Disclosure Scotland legislation being adhered to. -
Improved recruitment practices
Training covers safe recruitment for workforce involved with delivery of pickleball activities as regulated roles, including certification requirements, membership of the Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, and checks so that only suitable individuals work with children. -
Effective response to concerns
Officers are trained to confidently and appropriately respond to wellbeing and protection concerns, both within and outside the club environment, through clear and well defined reporting procedures and referral pathways. The course provides learners with knowledge about how to treat childern and young people with respect so that their views are taken into account and they are taken seriously when they make a disclosure about abuse. -
Legal compliance
Clubs with a trained CWPO will be equipped to meet legal obligations under the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme and will be given guidance regarding the 2025 updates to regulated roles and the change in legislation that came into effect on 1st April 2025.
Course benefits for Individuals involved with Safeguarding and Wellfare roles:
​
-
Legal readiness for PVG scheme
Following the change in Disclosure Scotland legislation, it is now a criminal offence to deliver a regulated role without PVG scheme membership for the specific activity being delivered. CWPO training helps child wellbeing and protection officiers understand these requirements and learn how to meet the Pickleball Scotland Safeguarding Policy and Regulations. -
Advanced knowledge and skills
CWPO training builds on the foundational CWPS course, offering deeper insights into child protection, case management, and club culture change which ensures better club governance. -
Confidence in Handling Sensitive Issues
Officers gain practical tools for managing disclosures, handling referrals, conducting investigations when concerns are raised, and sharing information appropriately with statutory authorities and the governing body. -
Support for Self-Care
The training acknowledges the emotional demands of safeguarding roles and promotes strategies for self-care.
​
Our next Pickleball Scotland CWPO course:
Date: Thursday 27th November 2025
Time: 18:00 PM – 21:00 PM
Venue: Online training
Cost: FREE
Apply by emailing inclusion@pickleballscotland.org
​