Child Protection

Child Protection in SportNational Forum/TICA Conference DCU November 2006: 

Child Protection in Sport National Forum/TICA Conference DCU November 2006 TENNIS IRELAND Roger Geraghty

Outcomes: 

Outcomes By the end of the session committee members will have been presented with : A Brief summary of the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport A definition of a Sports Leader Some examples of Poor practice versus Good practice The different categories of child abuse What to do if abuse is suspected (ie. How to recognise, respond, record and report)

Slide3: 

Does child abuse happen in Ireland?

Protection for persons reporting child abuse act 1998: 

Protection for persons reporting child abuse act 1998 PROTECTION FROM CIVIL LIABILITY WHEN: Report is in “Good faith and without malice” To a Designated Officer of the Health Board or The Garda Siochana Protection from penalisation by an employer FALSE REPORTING IS AN ACTUAL OFFENCE AND CARRIES A FINE OR 12 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT

The Code: 

The Code 1. Principles Promotes a child centred approach 2. People Identifies individual/organisation roles and responsibilities to help create and maintain an enjoyable and safe environment 3. Policy & Outlines policies and procedures that will facilitate and procedures encourage best practice within a club. 4. Practice Guidelines and a framework for good practice to protect children and their leaders. 5. Protection Identifies types of abuse, signs and symptoms and how to recognise, respond to and report concerns or allegations.

Club Administrators: What the Code recommends: 

Club Administrators: What the Code recommends Childrens Officers (gender specfic) Designated Officer Constitutional arrangements Child centred environment and ethos Child Protection Policies Codes of conduct Parents, children, coaches, officials Effective proactive and reactive procedures to reduce risks (recruitment, vetting) deal with concerns(complaints procedures) Education and training for all

Slide7: 

Child Protection policies are not about putting barriers in the way but rather creating a Culture of Safety in which a child can have an enjoyable experience.

Culture of Safety: 

Culture of Safety child protection policies and procedures written code of behaviour child-centred ethos information for parents children’s officer/designated person training staff support and supervision rigorous recruitment and selection

Who are the Sports Leaders? : 

Who are the Sports Leaders? V

Slide10: 

V Parents Committee Members Tournament Organisers Coaches

  What constitutes a good working relationship between sports leaders and children?: 

What constitutes a good working relationship between sports leaders and children? V

Characteristics of a positive adult Child Relationship: 

Characteristics of a positive adult Child Relationship Trust Respect Confidence Fun and Enjoyment No pressure Performance not outcome focused Child centred Safe Relaxed

CORE VALUES IN CHILDREN’S SPORT: 

CORE VALUES IN CHILDREN’S SPORT Sports leaders should promote and value: FUN The importance of childhood The needs of the child Integrity and respect in relationships A quality atmosphere & ethos Appropriate competition Equality

Good Practice In Coaching: 

Good Practice In Coaching Coaches should Act professionally Safety first Emphasise Fun & participation Positive competition Equitable practice Respect performers Be constructive Use praise Good practice will include having A complaints procedure Sensitivity and dignity Respect for confidentiality Belief in performers

Slide15: 

Always, Avoid and Never!! Always: Be publicly open Encourage parents to oversee changing Keep within NGB guidelines for ‘hands on’ Never: Take children to your home Be alone with a child in your car Spend excessive amounts of time with one child Avoid: Taking sessions alone in an isolated location Never: Use corporal punishment Swear or use aggressive or sexually provocative behaviour Allow or engage in inappropriate touching Allow children to violate the rules

Coaching Practice Continuum: 

Coaching Practice Continuum GOOD PRACTICE POOR PRACTICE ABUSE

Policy to practiceCode of Ethics Codes of Conduct: 

Policy to practice Code of Ethics Codes of Conduct

Behaviour Management – Current Practice?: 

Behaviour Management – Current Practice? What strategies do clubs normally employ to manage behaviour in their programmes and to deal with poor behaviour?

Slide19: 

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?: 

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

PHYSICAL ABUSE: 

PHYSICAL ABUSE Non–accidental injury that causes significant harm to a child Hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burning Providing alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison Suffocation or drowning Sporting situations Excessive training - physical development Outcome over performance Dietary manipulation vs health of the child

NEGLECT: 

NEGLECT Neglect occurs when adults: Fail to meet basic needs (eg food, warm clothing) Leave children alone and unsupervised Deny children love, affection or attention Sporting situations Failure to ensure children’s safety Exposure of children to dangerous activities without adequate training or equipment Premature return to training after injury/illness Exposure to undue cold Forcing them to play through injury/illness

EMOTIONABL ABUSE: 

EMOTIONABL ABUSE Persistent lack of love, approval/ affection Constant overprotection Frequent shouting and taunting Results from neglect, physical or sexual abuse Sporting situations: Constant negative criticism, shouting or threatening Unrealistic pressures to perform to high expectations

BULLYING: 

BULLYING Repeated aggression by an individual or group against others: teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting or extortion Types of bullying Child child Adult child Child adult Prevent bullying by: Raising awareness of bullying as unacceptable behaviour Encouraging children to report bullying Comprehensive supervision Providing a supportive environment for the targets of bullying

SEXUAL ABUSE: 

SEXUAL ABUSE Using children to meet adult sexual needs Forcing observation/ participation intercourse masturbation oral sex fondling pornographic material intentional exposure. Taking pictures for pornographic purposes Sporting situations Physical contact (eg supporting children in gymnastics) Misuse of power over children Inappropriate relationships Away trips

Signs of Abuse: 

Signs of Abuse Physical indicators Unexplained bruising Repeated injury Black eyes Injuries to mouth Torn or bloodstained clothes Burns or scalds Bites Fractures Inconsistent stories about injuries Marks from implements Behavioural indicators Unexplained behavioural changes Difficulty making friends Distrustful of adults Excessive attachment to adults Sudden drop in performance Change in attendance pattern Reluctance to remove clothing Inappropriate sexual awareness, behaviour or language

RECOGNISE SIGNS OF ABUSE: 

RECOGNISE SIGNS OF ABUSE The ability to recognise child abuse depends as much on a person’s willingness to accept responsibility of its existence as it does on knowledge and information. Child abuse is not always readily visible 3 stages of recognition: 1. Considering the possibility 2. Observing the signs/grounds for concern 3. Recording signs

Why do children not tell?: 

Why do children not tell? V

RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE: 

RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE Always: Remain sensitive and calm Reassure child that they are safe were right to tell are not to blame are being taken seriously Let child talk - don’t interview! Ensure a positive experience Explain that you must tell, but will maintain confidentiality Tell child what will happen next Involve appropriate individuals immediately Record what has been said asap

RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE : 

RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE Never: Question unless for clarification Make promises Rush into actions Make/pass a judgment on alleged abuser Take sole responsibility V

RECORDING SIGNS OF ABUSE: 

RECORDING SIGNS OF ABUSE Record keeping is of critical importance in child protection concerns Recording should avoid: Use of judgmental language Giving your personal opinion, unless it is backed up by substantial evidence Recording should be: Factual, accurate and legible Written in best interests of the child Recorded using the child’s exact words, where possible

EXTERNALAre you concerned about the behaviour of a parent or guardian outside your club?: 

EXTERNAL Are you concerned about the behaviour of a parent or guardian outside your club? Record all details, including dates and times Report concerns to designated officer, with report Designated Officer/Statutory authorities will advise on how to deal with the accused and parents In cases of emergency, refer your concerns to the social services or police immediately, give them your report

INTERNALConcerns about the behaviour of a member of staff/ volunteer within the club: 

INTERNAL Concerns about the behaviour of a member of staff/ volunteer within the club Poor practice? Deal with the accused , child and parents If necessary refer to the Governing body officer who will decide how to handle the issue of misconduct. Possible abuse? Follow appropriate procedures. Involve authorities if necessary Deal with the accused and parents. Report your concerns to a Listed designated officer or senior officer of the governing body, if allegations are against the children’s officer or designated person.The officer will then decide what to do. Is it Poor practice? Possible abuse?

DESIGNATED OFFICERS: 

DESIGNATED OFFICERS HOSPITAL CONSULTANTS SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELLORS COMMUNITY WELFARE OFFICERS CHILD CARE WORKERS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKERS PSYCHOLOGIST ALL HEALTH BOARD NURSING PERSONNEL PHYSIOTHERAPISTS RADIOLOGISTS NON-CONSULTANT HOSPITAL DOCTORS PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES HEALTH EDUCATION OFFICERS CARE ASSISTANTS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPISTS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS PRESCHOOLS INSPECTORS CHILDMINDER CO-ORDINATORS MANAGERS OF DISABILITY SERVICES RESIDENTIAL CARE STAFF HIV AND AIDS SERVICES COUNSELLORS IN AVPA QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICERS ADVOCACY OFFICERS ACCESS WORKERS PROJECT WORKERS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS CHILDREN FIRST INFORMATION AND ADVICE OFFICERS CHILDCARE MANAGERS CHILDREN FIRST IMPLEMENTATION OFFICERS SOCIAL WORKERS PSYCHIATRISTS MEDICAL AND DENTAL PERSONNEL

Remember: 

Remember It is not your responsibility to decide whether abuse has occurred …. It is your responsibility to act if you have concerns

5 R’s : 

5 R’s Your Responsibility Recognise Respond Record Report COE pg41

Child Abuse Inquiries: 

Child Abuse Inquiries Kilkenny Incest Investigation 1993 Kelly a Child is Dead 1995 Madonna House Inquiry 1996 Child Sexual Abuse in Swimming 1998 West of Ireland Case 1998 Victoria Climbie Inquiry 2003 Ferns Report 2005

Summary: 

Summary Act if you have concerns Do not ignore the signals or fail to intervene Respond to reasonable suspicion of abuse Record and report any concerns Pass to the appropriate person Reporting does not mean accusing. They will interpret and investigate.

ADDITONAL ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION: 

ADDITONAL ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION Promotion and implementation of the Code Club constitutions Appoint a club children’s officer & designated officer Staff/volunteer recruitment and selection Support and training for staff/volunteers Staff/volunteer supervision, monitoring and appraisals

Outcomes: 

Outcomes By the end of the session members will have been presented with : A Brief summary of the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport Sports Leaders? Some examples of Poor practice versus Good practice The different categories of child abuse What to do if abuse is suspected (ie. How to recognise, respond, record and report)