Everton and Everton in the Community are backing an NSPCC campaign which is raising awareness of where parents can turn if they have safeguarding concerns at their child’s sports club.
Blues star Izzy Christiansen is also getting behind ‘Parents in Sport Week’ and has contributed to a video and social media campaign promoting the annual awareness initiative.
An online survey, conducted on behalf of the NSPCC by YouGov, has found that 20 per cent of parents who had children in sports and leisure clubs wouldn’t know who to speak to if they had any worries about a child's welfare at the club (including those who answered don’t know).
‘Parents in Sport Week’, which is taking place between Monday 4 October to Sunday 10 October, aims to equip every parent with the safeguarding knowledge they need, and highlight the important role parents play in youth sport.
Paul Cuthbert, Everton’s Head of Safeguarding, said: “Sports and exercise can have a hugely positive impact on children and young people, and that’s something to be encouraged after the difficulties they’ve faced over the past 18 months.
“Like all teams across the country, we have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure that all young people taking part in sport can thrive in a safe, fun and inclusive environment.
“We are very happy to support the NSPCC’s Parents in Sport Week, as one of the most important parts of providing a positive environment is ensuring that parents and carers understand what safeguarding is, and where to turn if they have any safeguarding concerns.”
As part of the campaign, the NSPCC has issued three key safeguarding tips for parents in relation to children’s sport:
- Every sports club should have a child welfare officer in post - familiarise yourself with who that is and their contact details.
- Check if your sports club has a safeguarding policy in place and understand how that keeps children safe.
- Know that the NSPCC Helpline is there if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach the helpline on 0808 800 5000 or at help@nspcc.org.uk
This year, the NSPCC has also launched special new resources aimed at parents, to help them understand their role in keeping children safe and who they can turn to for help if they have any worries about their child’s sport. To download the free resource, click here.
The NSPCC wants to encourage parents with a child in any sport to seek advice from its Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk if they have any worries about their child’s experience in sport or physical activity.
Paul Stephenson, Senior Consultant at the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, said: “We’re proud to be running our annual Parents in Sport Week in its sixth year to help more parents be a significant part of their children’s sporting lives and to help ensure their experience is safe and fun. “Every year since the campaign’s conception countless sports bodies, clubs and coaches have supported our aims and worked hard to develop better relationships with parents and carers.
“This year, the NSPCC wants to provide the tools needed to help parents and carers access important information to keep their children safe in sport, to spot poor practice and to empower them to speak out. We’re also continuing to support the tireless work sports clubs put into involving parents in their safeguarding process.
“We’ve come a long way in the past five years and there’s a clear impact on parents when it comes to their knowledge of safeguarding in sport. But we can’t stop here, every parent should feel confident about ensuring their child is safe and having fun and that’s why we’re pleased to launch our free, short, interactive course for parents.”
To find out more about ‘Parents in Sport Week’, click here.
