Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport and Physical Activity

Keeping your child safe during sport and physical activity is so important and as Parents/Carers we play a vital role in this. We all want children and young people to enjoy sport and physical activity and have fond memories of this experience.

Below are three simple questions you can ask a teacher, club, organisation etc. to provide you with peace of mind. We shouldn't feel uncomfortable asking these questions and the more they are asked the more normal it becomes.

The CPSU has created a section on their website specifically to help with sign-posting Parents and Carers to all the advice they require in keeping their child safe in sport, choosing safe clubs and activities for them to participate in and making sure you are supporting your child in a positive way.

CPSU Parents and Carers Hub

If you're a coach or sports club, you can find further information on engaging with parents on our parents in sport topic page.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police.

It's important to remember that the welfare of the child is of paramount concern. However, it is not up to you to decide whether or not a child has been abused, but to report concerns appropriately.

Support is available should you need it, through your governing body, statutory social care services and the NSPCC, as well as directly from the Child Protection in Sport Unit.

For further information, see our guidance on Putting safeguards in place.

If you have concerns about the welfare of a child

Is the child in immediate danger or are they injured?

• if yes, contact the emergency services

Report the concern:

• if you're affiliated to a national governing body, refer to their safeguarding procedures about who to report the concerns to
• if your club or activity isn't affiliated to a governing body, you can seek support from the active partnership (previously county sports partnership) or your local children's social care (social services)
• if there's no one else available to help, contact the police

Ensure you keep a record of your concern and how you reported it.

The CPSU have designed a free e-learning course that will take 10 minutes to complete. This course will help you to understand your role as a Parent/Carer and where to go if you have any concerns or worries.

What's covered?

• knowing when something is wrong
• poor practice vs abuse in sport
• recognising the signs
• listening to children
• speaking out in sport

• NSPCC HELPLINE - 0808 800 5000
• CHILDLINE - 0800 1111

Information for Parents and Carers

• Anti-Bullying Alliance - coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying.

• Online Safety - advice and guidance for children, young people and parents regarding keeping safe online.
• Activity Alliance - The national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity.
• Stonewall - a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity.
  
• Sporting Equals - promotes ethnic diversity in physical activity and sport.