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School and Community Sport

'Making a Difference' Reducing Burdens in Schools and Community Sport [PDF 726KB, 51 pages, was a joint project between the Regulatory Impact Unit (RIU) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). A summary [PDF 242KB, 24 pages] of measures has also been produced for ease of access.

Scope

The project aims to identify and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on staff who manage, develop and deliver school and community sport. This can mean unnecessary paperwork or processes for staff in schools, local authorities, community and other publicly-funded organisations providing sports for all age groups.

Background

The project is steered by a Project Board including RIU, DCMS, Department for Education and Skills and the Regional Co-ordination Unit in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Also, a Project Advisory Panel includes representatives from the major stakeholders, including front line staff.

Approach

Work started in summer 2004. The project scoping included desk-top research and meetings with key stakeholders. The project team then conducted fieldwork with front line staff in a range of organisations to identify unnecessary burdens in the delivery of school and community sport.

• The project team is now working with front line staff, policy departments and other key stakeholders to identify practical solutions to the issues raised;
• Agree specific measurable changes to reduce or remove burdens identified to free up front line staff to manage and develop sport for all ages with a particular focus on areas such as the process for funding for sport;
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of agreed actions.

Key Achievements

Changes outlined within the report fall into five key areas:

• a single source for information on funding including introduction of a 'Sport Direct' help line to provide advice and support for those seeking funding;
• simpler application process, including a single form, to help organisations submit successful applications for funds;
• projects funded over three years, and for sport specific capital projects, a clear agreed timescale for payments in place. This will make it easier for sports projects to plan ahead;
• development and implementation of an inspection and monitoring agreement for all government and lottery sports funders, to ensure a reduced, more proportionate level of monitoring processes and information demands; and
• non-funding issues including the development of new rules for the Criminal Records Bureau, so that individuals will no longer have to have multiple security checks to work in different areas, or different sports, reducing barriers to out-of-hours use of school facilities and more proportionate risk assessments with respect to school and community sport.

Next Steps

The unit welcomes ideas and suggestions for practical improvements in this sector. The project team is particularly interested in hearing from staff involved in school and community sport.

For further enquires or information please contact the unit at psinfo@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk.