Keeping children safe in sport

Parents play an important role in protecting children when it comes to making sure they get the most out of sport

At the NSPCC, we believe all children involved in sport should enjoy the experience and be safe from harm. Since 2001, the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit has been working with sport to ensure that safeguards are put in place that make a real difference to the experiences of children involved in sporting activities.

As a parent, you play a very important role in protecting your child and helping them get the best from sport. The information you give them and the examples you set can give them the knowledge and confidence needed to deal with threatening or abusive situations. It is also important for you as a parent to be able to check how well a sports club is run, for the sake of your child’s safety and your peace of mind. There are many sports activities to choose from in local communities and we hope parents and carers will want to encourage their children and young people to participate. But how do you know if they are safe? If you have a concern about activities that they are participating in, what should you do? What should you look for in a good sports club or organisation?

A good club will welcome questions about their activities and the safety of their environment and will have a child protection policy. Many sports will have a national governing body that is responsible for running the sport. Clubs affiliated to a governing body benefit from having access to training and qualifications for their coaches, insurance for their members and local or national competition opportunities. It is sensible to seek a club that is affiliated. Many sports also run club accreditation schemes that recognise those clubs that are operating in a safe, effective and child-friendly way – look for ‘Clubmark’ clubs and other equivalent accreditation schemes.

You should be told where to go and what to do if you or your child have any worries. A good club will have a designated person who is responsible for the welfare of children and this should be the first person you approach in the event of a concern. If you are unhappy about the way your concern is dealt with, you should contact the club’s governing body who will also have a designated person for child protection.

Parents need to be sure that the staff and volunteers who will be working with their children are suitable. All staff and volunteers should go through a thorough recruitment process which includes interviews, references and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks if their role involves regular contact with children. Make sure you ask about these things. Coaches, whether they are working in a paid or unpaid capacity, should hold a recognised coaching qualification in relation to the sport and should themselves be affiliated to a governing body. All coaches who work with children should have attended child protection training.

Appropriate training and education ensures that everyone working with children in sport is aware of good practices that promote really positive experiences for children. It also helps them to avoid and identify poor or abusive ways of working with children and to know how to handle situations if they have any concerns. Good coaches are rightfully proud of the way they work with children and will be happy to discuss safeguarding issues, including considerations such as never working in isolation with children, appropriate supervision ratios and adherence to their governing body’s codes of conduct.

Ask about arrangements that the club makes when children take part in competitions or events away from home. You should be informed of arrangements, including transport, for every outing no matter how long or short, and your consent should be requested. Also, find out whether the organisation has a health and safety policy. Check that there is a leader qualified in first aid; that there is a first aid box; and that the premises have passed the necessary fire regulations.

What should you be wary of?

• Activities where parents are discouraged from staying to watch or become involved
• Individuals who take charge and operate independently of organisational guidelines
• Individuals who show favouritism or personally reward specific children
• Encouragement of inappropriate physical contact
• Poor communication and negative responses to questions about safeguards for your child
• A “win at all cost” attitude towards the sport
• Children who drop out or stop going for no apparent reason
• Invitations for children to spend time alone with staff or volunteers (or even to visit their home)

REMEMBER – always listen to your children, ask questions about the activities they take part in and take the time to demonstrate an interest in what they are doing.

How should you share your concerns?

You may feel reluctant to voice your concerns in case you are wrong or worried about the impact on your child, but if you are concerned you must take action.

• Speak to other parents
• Speak to the leader in charge or the welfare officer if there is one
• If you are not confident that they are the appropriate person, speak to someone in a higher position of authority
• If you are unhappy about the response you receive, please contact one of the organisations below
• If you have a serious concern about a child at risk of abuse, please contact the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline or your local Police or Local Authority Children’s social care (formerly called Social Services).

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 For more information go to the Child Protection in Sport Unit’s website at www.thecpsu.org.uk

 

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