Julian Raises Concerns with Charities Commission in Parliamentary Debate
May 1, 2018
In Parliament today Julian intervened in a debate on safeguarding children and young people in sport to raise concerns with the limited powers of the Charities Commission.
The debate, led by the Mr Bambos Charalambous, the Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate, focused on further steps to protect children attending sports clubs in the wake of the high-profile historic sexual-abuse scandal involving young players at football clubs. Various inquiries have been established by the Football Association, Scottish Football Association and over 20 UK police forces.
During the debate, the Julian focused on those organisations within the remit of the Charities Commission, asserting:
“Experience of a particular case in my constituency shows that the Commission, whilst very good at ensuring clubs and organisations have correct policies in place, lack the teeth to actually carry anything through.”
Speaking afterwards, Julian said:
“Many of my constituents have children attending sports clubs and the vast majority have the confidence that adequate safeguarding procedures are in place. However, there are those few that do raise concerns about specific incidents and find it extremely difficult to seek redress.
I wanted to place my concerns on the record that whilst great developments have been made in recent years to ensure clubs and organisations have adequate safeguarding policies, and those involved are aware of their obligations, there seems to be no institution to intervene when policies are not adhered to correctly.
I do not want the Charities Commission being called upon to arbitrate in every dispute, but I feel they should have a more powerful role in stepping in when serious safeguarding concerns have been raised.”
