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SAFEGUARDING ADVICE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

All children, young people and adults have the right to have fun and be safe and free from harm when participating in sport and physical activity. It is your right as a parent or carer 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.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

Sports clubs have a responsibility to ensure that their coaches and other staff are safe to work with children. Clubs should be able to provide you with confirmation that staff and volunteers are suitable and have undergone the right checks. All organisations providing sports for children should welcome your questions about how they will keep your child safe. The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) provides detailed advice on what to look for in a sports club: CPSU Information for Parents.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR CHILD'S SPORTS CLUB?

View/download the document:
‘How safe if your child’s sports club? 5 questions you should be asking’.

A PARENTS CHARTER

View/download the document:

A parents charter – what parents should look for when choosing a good sports club or activity.

SPORTS ENGLAND ADVICE

View Sport England’s Advice:

Visit Sports England ‘Advice for Parent’s & Carers’

PARENTS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

It’s also important to consider what impact your behaviour will have on how your child experiences sport. Whether you become an inspiration or take the fun out of the game depends on what you do on the side-lines.

Many parents don’t even realise that their behaviour could be having an impact on their child’s enjoyment of sport.

We ask parents to consider their own behaviour…

Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.

Encourage young people to participate, never force them.

Focus on, and praise the effort and performance displayed, rather than the winning or losing.

Encourage young people to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to argumentative behaviour.

Never ridicule a young person for making a mistake or losing a competition.
Remember that young people learn best by example. Always show appreciation for good performances displayed by all participants.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all sporting activities.
Respect coaches’ and officials’ decisions and teach young people to do likewise.
Always show appreciation for the coaches, officials and administrators. Without them there would be no activity for your child to participate in.
Respect the rights and dignity of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Behave responsibly. Discriminatory, offensive and violent behaviour towards any individual is unacceptable and will be acted upon.
Always ensure you are punctual when dropping off and collecting your children, do not put the coach/club in a difficult position by arriving late.

“REMEMBER IT’S OUR GAME NOT YOURS”

USEFUL LINKS

Further information, advice, and guidance on safeguarding issues can be accessed via the below links.

SAFEGUARDING ADVICE FOR: CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

SAFEGUARDING: ADULTS AT RISK

SAFEGUARDING ADVICE FOR: CLUBS, COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS

SAFEGUARDING ADVICE FOR: PARENTS & CARERS

SAFEGUARDING: CODE IN MARTIAL ARTS

SAFEGUARDING: USEFUL CONTACTS

SAFEGUARDING: RESOURCES

SAFEGUARDING: TRAINING