1 INTRODUCTIONChild abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject. All individuals involved in table tennis activities with children and young people have a responsibility to safeguard their welfare. The majority of children who participate in table tennis do so in a safe and positive atmosphere with the support and encouragement of all those involved with our sport. However, a few children do not have a positive experience and the ETTA like other sports and aspects of our society now recognises the need to guard against individuals who may abuse their position in table tennis.
Everyone working in table tennis, be it in a paid or voluntary capacity, has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing their abuse.
Coaches have regular contact with children and are important links in identifying situations that may suggest that abuse has of is occurring.
The ETTA, accepts that as an organisation dealing with children through coaching and competition, has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure the highest possible standard of care is provided.
The aim of this policy is to ensure that all ETTA members are full aware of their responsibilities with regard to child protection, by:
- · Safeguarding and promoting the interests and well being of children with whom they are working.
- · Taking all reasonable and practical steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment.
- · Respecting children's rights, wishes and feelings.
- · Offer safeguards to children, coaches, staff, officials and volunteers.
- · Help to maintain high standards of professionalism and practice at all levels of the sport.
- · High standards of recruitment.
- · The provision of support, appropriate training (and updating) and adequate supervision of coaches, staff and members to enable them to work together with parents, coaches and other organisations to ensure that the welfare and needs of children remain paramount.
The child's welfare is paramount.
· All children, whatever, their age, culture, disability, gender, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
· All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
2 RECOGNITION OF ABUSEWhat is abuse?
Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. It commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and represents an abuse of power or a breach of trust. Abuse can happen to a child regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.
Coaches, volunteers and officials are not experts in recognising abuse. Therefore, any suspicions or concerns should be discussed with the person in charge. This may be the head coach, the club official, the head teacher or the sports centre manager.
It is the responsibility of these people to obtain appropriate advice from the local social services department, the NSPCC or the police. If the person in charge is not available, or the concern is about the person in charge, then the person in receipt of the information should contact the social services direct.
Indications that a child may be abused include the following:
- · Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries.
- · An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent.
- The child describes what appears to be an abusive act.
- · Someone expresses concern about the welfare of the child.
- · Unexplained changes in behaviour (e.g. becoming quiet, withdraw or sudden outbursts of temper).
- · Inappropriate sexual awareness.
- · Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour
- · Distrust of adults particularly those with whom a close relationship would be expected.
- · Difficulty making friends.
- · Is prevented from socialising with other children.
- · Displays variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite.
- · Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- · Becomes increasingly dirty or unkempt.
Remember that:
- · It is not the responsibility of coaches, staff or volunteers to decide that abuse is taking place, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.
There are four main forms of abuse:
- · Neglect
Where adults fail to meet a child's basic needs such as warm clothing or food, fail or refuse to give children love, affection and attention. Children may also be consistently left alone or unsupervised. Neglect in a sports situation could include a teacher of coach not ensuring that children are safe, exposing them to undue cold or to unnecessary risk of injury.
Where adults physically hurt or injure children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning or biting, or by giving children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison. Attempted suffocation or drowning also comes within this category. In sports situations, physical abuse may occur when the nature and the intensity of training exceed the capacity of the child's immature and growing body.
Sexual Abuse
Girls and boys are abused by adults - both males and females- who use children to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling. Showing children pornographic material (books, videos, pictures) is also a form os sexual abuse. Sports that involve physical contact with children could possibly create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. The power of the coach over the very young performers, if misused, may also lead to abusive situations developing.
Emotional Abuse
Persistent lack of love and affection, where a child may be constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted, which may make the child very nervous or withdraw. Emotional abuse may also occur when there is constant over protection (which prevents the child from socialising), or there is neglect, physical or sexual abuse. Emotional abuse in sport may occur if children are subjected to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations consistently.4 THE EFFECTS OF ABUSE
Abuse in all its forms can affect a child at any age. The effects can be so damaging that, if untreated, may follow an individual into adulthood. For example, an adult who has been abused as a child may find it difficult or impossible to maintain a stable trusting relationship, become involved with drugs or prostitution, attempt suicide or even abuse a child in the future.
There have been a number of studies which suggest that children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves, or adequately communicate that abuse has occurred. Children from ethnic minorities, who may also be experiencing racial discrimination, may be double powerless.
5 RESPONDING TO THE CHILD
If a child says or indicates that they are being abused, or information is obtained which gives concern that a child is being abused, the person receiving the information should listen carefully and:
- React calmly so as not to frighten the child.
- · Tell the child they are not to blame and that it was right to tell.
- · Don't ask direct questions - who, what, where, when.
- · Do encourage them to talk - do you want to talk to me about this?
- · Take what the child says seriously, recognising the difficulties inherent in interpreting what a child who has a speech disability and /or differences in languages says.
- · Keep questions to an absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said.
- · Keep calm and even if you find what they are saying difficult or painful keep listening.
- · Reassure the child but do not make promises of confidentiality, which may not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments.
- · Make a full record of what has been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible.
- If the allegation is about poor practice by the person in charge or if the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be referred to the ETTA Vice-Chairman (Teaching and Training) or the senior officer who will decide how to deal with the allegation and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
- Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a coach or volunteer should be reported to the person in charge who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child and/or any other child who may be at risk.
- The person in charge will refer the allegation to the social services department who may involve the police.
- The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following advice from the social services department.
- The person in charge should also notify the ETTA Vice Chairman (Teaching and Training) or the senior officer who will decide who will deal with any media enquiries.
- Every effort will be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned.
- If the person in charge is the subject of the suspicion/allegation, the report must be made to the ETTA Vice Chairman (Teaching and Training) or the senior officer, who will then be responsible for taking the action outlined above.
- The ETTA will make an immediate decision regarding any individual accused of abuse regarding their temporary suspension pending further police and social services enquiries.
- Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police enquiries, the ETTA will assess all individual cases under the appropriate misconduct/disciplinary procedure to decide whether an individual can be reinstated and how this can be handled sensitively. This may be a difficult decision particularly where there is insufficient evidence to uphold any decision by the police. In such cases the ETTA will reach a decision based upon the available information, which could suggest that on the balance of probability it is more likely than not the allegation is true. The welfare of the child should always remain paramount.
- Consideration should be given regarding available support to the child, the parents/carers/guardians, coaches, members and volunteers.
- If you have serious concerns about the immediate safety of that child contact the police or social services, record who you spoke to and tell your club official what you have done.
- · Do not contact or confront the individual who is alleged to be responsible.
- · Find someone you trust to talk to about or support you but remember not to name or identify those involved in the allegations.
It is not the responsibility of anyone working under the auspices of the ETTA, in a paid or voluntary capacity, to take responsibility or decide whether child abuse is taking place. However, there is a responsibility to protect children in order that appropriate agencies can then make enquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child.
The social services department has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to ensure the welfare of the child. When a child protection referral is made its staff have a legal responsibility to investigate. This may involve talking to the child and family and gathering information from other people who know the child. Enquiries may be carried out jointly with the police.
What to do if there are concerns:
There is always a commitment to work in partnership with parents or carers where there are concerns about their children, therefore, in most situations it would be important to talk to parents or carers to help clarify any initial concerns. For example, if a child seems withdrawn, they may have experienced bereavement in the family.
However, there are circumstances in which a child might be placed at even greater risk if such concerns were shared (e.g. where a parent or carer may be responsible for the abuse or not able to respond to the situation appropriately). In these situations, or where concern still exists, any suspicion, allegation or incident of abuse must be reported to the person in charge as soon as possible and be recorded.
It is the responsibility of the person in charge to inform the social services department without delay. If the person in charge is not available, the person discovering or being informed of the abuse should immediately contact the social services of the police. In these circumstances you do not have to give your name, but it is helpful if you do. The social services department, together with the person in charge, where appropriate, will decide how and when parents and carers will be informed.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO
ADVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING THE NSPCC (24 HOUR) FREEPHONE HELPLINE ON 0800 800500 OR THE CHILD PROTECTION IN SPORT UNIT ON 0116 234 7278
Records and Information
Information passed to the social services department or the police must be as helpful as possible, hence the necessity for making a detailed record as follows:
The nature of the allegation
A description of any visible bruising or other injuries- All volunteers working for a club with juniors should complete a personal disclosure form (see Appendix C). Registered coaches will have completed this form.
- This form is designed to elicit any criminal information about an applicant's past career, which could deem them unsuitable for coaching. Failure to disclose information will result in exclusion from the club.
- Consent should be obtained from the applicant for permission to make police and social service checks as necessary.
- There should be a check with the Department of Health Consultancy index (which maintains information about individuals who are deemed unsuitable to work with children) made via the ETTA.
- Clubs should have effective measures in place to ensure confidentiality of information received in relation to applicants.
To help prevent abuse of children the club or organisation should have a policy, which ensures that children are protected and kept safe from harm. Everyone involved in the care of children should know what to do if there are concerns about abuse and what procedures to follow (or who to ask for advice). This information (which should include the telephone number and/or address of an independent help line outside of tale tennis) could be on a notice board or as a simple handout that is available to all newcomers to the club.
Training
It should be clearly recognised that checks are only part of the process to protect children. The checks must be operated in conjunction with appropriate training so that everyone is aware and sensitive to potentially abusive situations. As an absolute minimum requirement all should have read the Sportscoach UK 'Working with Children' booklet. Registered coaches will have access to the ETTA Code of Ethics statement and should be implementing it. The regional coaching chairman organise regular coach update days where the child abuse issue can be discussed and clarified to ensure continued awareness of the subject. All club members involved in working with children should also attend the relevant Running Sport courses on Child protection.
Supervision
Those coaches/volunteers in charge of sessions where children are involved should be sensitive to and act upon any concerns of abuse at an early stage. They should lead by example and they should also offer appropriate support to those who report concerns.
Complaints
Coaches/volunteers/members should be aware of the complaints procedure that operates within the club/venue in which they are coaching/playing, and ensure that parents and children have the relevant information to allow easy access to this procedure. They should also be fully aware of how to proceed further with any complaints or concerns.
9 DO'S AND DON'TS- If you have serious concerns about the immediate safety of that child contact the police or social services, record who you spoke to and tell your club official what you have done.
Allegations of abuse may be made some time after the event (e.g. by an adult who was abused as a child by a coach or volunteer who is still working with children). Where such an allegation is made the procedures given under 'Responding to Suspicions and Allegations' should be followed. This is important as other children in table tennis, or outside the sport, may be at risk from this person.
Anyone who has a previous criminal record conviction for offences relating to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children and is not welcome in table tennis.
8 PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICE
All children have a right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. False allegations of abuse are rare, however, the ETTA is committed to safeguarding children, coaches, volunteers, staff, officials and the sport. The ETTA's policy of good practice includes monitoring the following areas:
Coach/volunteer recruitment
Anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and it is important that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children. It is essential that the same procedure be used consistently whether the person is paid or unpaid, voluntarily, part time or full time. When undertaking pre-selection checks the following should be included:
- Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid all situations where a coach/volunteer/members and individual child are unobserved.
- If any form of physical contact is absolutely necessary, it should be used openly. Care is required - where possible always ask the child 'if they mind'. Some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive about this and their views should always be carefully considered. If possible avoid all physical contact.
- Where possible parents should take the responsibility for their children in the changing room. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always try and work in pairs. Encourage an open environment (i.e. no secrets).
- Where there are mixed teams away from home they should, ideally, be accompanied by both a make and female coach.
- Do not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
- Do not take children alone on car journeys however short.
- Do not take children to your home where they will be alone with you.
- Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games including horseplay.
- Share a room with a child.
- Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
- Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
- Make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in fun.
- Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded, or not acted upon.
- Do things of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves.
- Invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised.
If you accidentally hurt a child and they appear distressed in any way, appears to be sexually aroused by your actions or misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done, report any such incident as soon as possible to another club member and make a brief written note. Parents should be informed of the incident.
10 APPENDICES
Appendix A: Myths and facts about abuse
Appendix B: Sample forms
Appendix C: Useful information
Appendix D: Protecting children from abuse leaflet
APPENDIX A - MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT ABUSE
Very often when a child or youth is sexually abused, concerned friends, family members and professionals tell those people affected by the abuse many things. It is not unusual for people to become confused about what to believe or not to believe. The following is a list of some of the more common myths and facts about child sexual abuse.
APPENDIX C - USEFUL INFORMATION
Department of Health Consultancy Service
Room 133, Department of Health, Wellington House,
133-135 Waterloo Road, London DE1 8UG.
Sportscoach UK
114 Cardigan Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3BJ.
Tel: 0113 2744802
The NSPCC,
National Centre, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH.
Tel: 020 7825 2775 or e-mail: [email protected]
Home Office (disclosure of criminal records)
Home Office, F2 Division, Room 531, 50 Queen Anne's Gate,
London SW1H 9AT.
Education Department (for checking against List 99)
STPP, Department for Education and Employment, Mowden Hall,
Staindrop Road, Darlington, Co. Durham DL3 8BG.
English Table Tennis Association,
National Equity Officer, Queensbury House, Havelock Road,
Hastings, E.Sussex. TN34 1HF.
Tel: 01424 722525 or e-mail: [email protected]
Children in Sport Protection Unit,
3 Gilmour Close,
Beaumont leys,
Leicester LE4 1EZ
Tel: 0116 234 7278 or e-mail: [email protected]
BOOKS AND ARTICLES
Crouch M (1995) - Protecting Children - a guide for Sportspeople
Boocock S (2002) - Journal of Sexual Aggression
Sportscoach UK - Code of Ethics and Conduct for Sports Coaches
WEB RESOURCES
www.sportprotects.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk
www.childline.org.uk
