GOOD PRACTICE FOR COACHES/LEADERS IN THE CARE of CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE.
Always be publicly open when working with children and young people. Avoid situations where coach/!eader/volunteer organiser and individual child are completely unobserved.
If any form of manual support is necessary for a sport, it should be provided openly and adhering to guidelines provided by the National Governing Body of the sport being coached. Some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive about manual support and their views must be considered.
If children and young people have to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure coaches work in pairs, with same sex supervision. Encourage an open environment.
Never engage in rough, physical games including horseplay
Never allow children and young people to use inappropriate language unchallenged Never allow allegations made by a child to go without being followed up, or unrecorded
Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
Never do things of a personal nature for children and young people that they can do themselves
Never make arrangements to meet children and young people on their own. All arrangements for subsequent coaching must be made with the parents/guardians.
RECOGNITION OF ABUSE
Even for those people experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise situations where abuse may occur or has already taken place. It is recognised that sports coaches, whether paid or in a voluntary capacity are not experts to such recognition. Therefore coaches should discuss any concern they have about the welfare of a child immediate\y.
Indications that a child may be being abused include the following:
Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns particularly afflicted on parts 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 involving him/her.
Someone else (a child or adult) express concern about the welfare of another child/young person
Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour
Unexplained changes in behaviour (e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper)
Distrustful of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected
Has difficulty in making friends
Looks increasingly dirty or unkempt.
NOTE It should be recognised that this list is not exhaustive and the presence of one or more of the indicators is not proof that abuse is actually taking place. It is not the responsibility of those working in the sport to decide that child abuse is occurring but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.