Category 2: A basic understanding of safeguarding and protecting children and young people — YMCA Awards End-Point Assessment Physical Education Revision

    This topic covers safeguarding and protecting children and young people in sport. Learners will understand types of abuse, indicators, and how to respond t

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic covers safeguarding and protecting children and young people in sport. Learners will understand types of abuse, indicators, and how to respond to concerns appropriately.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Category 2: A basic understanding of safeguarding and protecting children and young people

    YMCA AWARDS
    vocational

    This topic covers safeguarding and protecting children and young people in sport. Learners will understand types of abuse, indicators, and how to respond to concerns appropriately.

    1
    Learning Outcomes
    3
    Assessment Guidance
    3
    Key Skills
    1
    Key Terms
    4
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Children and Young People in Sport and Physical Activity

    Topic Overview

    The YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Children and Young People in Sport and Physical Activity is a foundational qualification for those looking to work with children and young people in sport, physical activity, or play settings. It covers the core principles of child development, safeguarding, and inclusive practice, as well as practical skills for planning and delivering engaging sessions. This award is ideal for aspiring sports coaches, activity leaders, or teaching assistants who want to understand how to motivate and support young participants effectively.

    The qualification focuses on the importance of physical activity for children's physical, social, and emotional well-being. It explores how to create safe, fun, and inclusive environments that encourage participation and develop fundamental movement skills. Key topics include understanding child development stages (e.g., early years, school-age, adolescence), adapting activities for different needs, and promoting positive behaviour. By the end of the course, students should be able to plan and lead engaging sessions that meet the needs of diverse groups.

    This award sits within the broader context of UK sport and physical activity qualifications, providing a stepping stone to higher-level coaching or teaching qualifications. It aligns with national guidelines such as the Chief Medical Officers' physical activity recommendations for children and young people (60 minutes per day). Mastering this content is essential for anyone aiming to make a positive impact on young people's health and lifelong participation in sport.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Child development stages: Understand the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones for ages 0-5, 5-11, and 12-18, and how they affect activity design.
    • →Inclusive practice: Adapt activities for children with disabilities, different cultural backgrounds, or varying abilities, ensuring everyone can participate meaningfully.
    • →Safeguarding: Know the signs of abuse, how to report concerns, and how to create a safe environment (e.g., risk assessments, supervision ratios).
    • →Engagement strategies: Use games, challenges, and positive reinforcement to maintain motivation and enjoyment, avoiding over-competition or boredom.
    • →Fundamental movement skills (FMS): Focus on developing agility, balance, and coordination through fun, progressive activities (e.g., throwing, catching, jumping).

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1. Understand safeguarding and child protection2. Understand the different types and indicators of abuse3. Understand how to respond to reports or suspicion of child abuse4. Understand the key principles of safeguarding and protecting children and young people5. Be able to recognise and respond to potential indicators of child abuse and poor practice

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Define safeguarding and child protection.
    • Identify types and indicators of abuse.
    • Explain how to respond to suspicions of abuse.
    • Apply key principles of safeguarding in practice.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Know your organisation's safeguarding policy.
    • 💡Practise scenario-based responses.
    • 💡Remember the importance of confidentiality.
    • 💡Use real examples from your own practice or observations. For instance, when discussing engagement, describe a specific game you used and how it motivated a reluctant participant.
    • 💡Link theory to practice explicitly. If you mention a child development stage, immediately explain how that influences your session plan (e.g., 'For 7-year-olds, I include partner activities to develop social skills').
    • 💡Show awareness of current guidelines. Reference the UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity recommendations or the Children and Families Act 2014 to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Confusing safeguarding with child protection.
    • Failing to recognise subtle indicators of abuse.
    • Not following correct reporting procedures.
    • Misconception: 'Children of all ages can do the same activities.' Correction: Activities must be age-appropriate; for example, under-5s need simple, imaginative play, while teenagers respond better to structured, skill-based challenges.
    • Misconception: 'Safeguarding is just about preventing physical harm.' Correction: It also includes emotional safety, such as avoiding public criticism, ensuring consent for physical contact, and being aware of online risks.
    • Misconception: 'Inclusion means treating everyone the same.' Correction: True inclusion involves differentiating activities to meet individual needs, e.g., using larger balls for children with coordination difficulties or offering visual cues for those with hearing impairments.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of health and safety in sport (e.g., risk assessment principles).
    • •Familiarity with the concept of inclusive practice (e.g., from prior volunteering or work experience).
    • •No formal qualifications required, but a genuine interest in working with children is essential.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • 1. Understand safeguarding and child protection2. Understand the different types and indicators of abuse3. Understand how to respond to reports or suspicion of child abuse4. Understand the key principles of safeguarding and protecting children and young people5. Be able to recognise and respond to potential indicators of child abuse and poor practice

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