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Help and advice for parents and carers

NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit

As a parent you play a very important role in safeguarding your child from harm. The information you provide and the example you set can give them the knowledge and confidence needed to deal with threatening or abusive situations.

It is your right 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.

Questions to ask

Club safety check provides you with useful questions to ask when choosing a sports club for your child.  We also give advice on how your involvement in a club can make it more safe.

• Club safety check
• How you can help make sport safe
  

Parental behaviour

Listening and talking to your child, teaching them about personal safety and setting the right example will help to keep your child safe while playing sports.

• Listening to your child
  
• Teach your child about personal safety
  
• Setting the right example

There are a number of useful resources looking at how parental behaviour can impact on the development of young people in sport including:

• Straight Talk - Coaching Association of Canada
• Sport Rage: A prevention guide for parents

Good Practice information from the sports sector

• The FA Respect campaign
• RFU parents poster
• Pushy parents - CPSU scenario to reflect on the parent's behaviour

Warning signs of abuse

Be alert to any danger signals and get help if you suspect a child may be vulnerable to abuse.

• Danger signals within a club 
  
• Signs of abuse
  
• Defining child abuse
• Parents Protect - A programme to support parents in safeguarding their children from sexual abuse

If you are worried that a child is being abused or put at risk during sports activities, it is vital that you tell someone.  Find out how to get help.
 

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For further help and advice, please contact the Child Protection in Sport Unit

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Help for children & young people

ChildLine

0800 1111

Help for adults concerned about a child

Help and advice

0808 800 5000

Copyright © 2011 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.