This page contains important documents and procedures used by CSP. Coaches and volunteers MUST read and be familiar with this page. Editable document are MSWord, others are pdf.

First Aid

CSP Guidelines for Accidents and Emergencies

The Illness and Injury Report Form - Word MUST be completed in detail by the coach for each incident where first aid is administered at the session, then handed to the Lead Coach. If external assistance is called, such as an ambulance, the report form will be forwarded to British Cycling.

CSP Emergency Services Contact -pdf reference doucment.

Coaches must provide a valid first aid certificate (Emergency First and at Work - 1 day course) for club records in line with BC guidelines.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Children

The CSP Welfare Officer is Sue Gornall.

All coaches and volunteers MUST be familiar with the following:

British Cycling's Policy for the Protection and Children and Vulnerable Adults - Word

The BC procedures and contacts are detailed on the BC Safeguarding Children page.

Please print off and keep handy the CSP Child Protection Contacts

Important Documents for Volunteers

Volunteers helping at the club are required to read the following documents referred to in the Volunteer Agreement

British Cycling's Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults - Word

The above includes the following policies referred to in the Volunteer Agreement: 

• Child Protection Guidelines (Main document)
• British Cycling Code of Conduct  (Appendix B) - Codes of conduct for coaches/team managers/officials
• British Cycling Equity Policy (Appendix A) - Equity policy statement

 British Cycling Health and Safety Guidelines for Coaching Cycling - pdf

The above includes the Health and Safety guidelines referred to in the Volunteer Agreement.

Coach to Rider Ratio

The coach to rider ratios recommended by British Cycling are as follows:

• When coaching groups of novice cyclists at traffic-free, non cycling specific facilities, the ratio of coaches to cyclists should not exceed 1:20
 
• When coaching sessions take place at cycling specific facilities, refer to the facility's guidelines for the appropriate coach to rider ratio
• When coaching sessions take place on areas such as off-road mountain bike trails, the ratio of coaches to cyclists should not exceed 1:7.

It is important, however, to stress that coaches must only coach the number of cyclists they feel confident and competent to deal with, without exceeding the above recommendations.

While the coach to rider ratios provide a minimum ratio to help ensure a safe coaching session, it is recommended that when coaching young riders, a minimum of two responsible adults (with at least one person holding a valid coaching qualification at an appropriate level) are present at all times to ensure an adequate level of supervision. This means that in an emergency one adult can stay with the riders while the other can go for help or deal with the emergency without having to consider supervision of the rest of the group. It can also address any concerns about one-to-one contact with young people.

In some instances it will be necessary to arrange for additional help during a session. The coach might arrange for another qualified coach to attend the session or ask another responsible individual such as a club official or parent of one of the riders to assist in the session. It is important that anyone enlisted to help in a session is suitably qualified for the role and tasks they are required to undertake. It is good practice to have a clear and accurate record of everyone involved in the delivery of the session. This will ensure the coach is able to identify who was in attendance at a particular session should an issue be raised at a later date that requires this information.

So, for example, if you were coaching 40 young people on a school playing field, you would require a minimum of two suitably qualified coaches, although you may require additional help from other responsible individuals.

Becoming a CSP Volunteer or Coach

CSP has in place a New Volunteer Procedure as recommended by BC. In summary, a new volunteer is required to:

• Complete an application form
• Complete the self declration form (this is part of the application form)
• Be familiar with CSP and BC policies and procedures
• Undergo a CRB check for British Cycling (if one not already done recently)
• If a coach or trainee coach, provide a valid first aid certificate.

CSP will provide a job description (relevant to the role) and ask the volunteer or coach to sign the volunteer agreement form.

CSP will seek to assist with the funding of a coaching qualification, on the condition that the coach is active at CSP sessions.