3rd - 9th OCTOBER IS NSPCC KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN SPORT WEEK
Safeguarding
If you need some help
If something is causing you to feel unhappy, scared, worried, uncomfortable or if something just doesn't feel right, then you should speak to someone who you trust. To read about behaviour that is not okay, click on the Play Safe, Stay Safe poster below.
Who can you talk to?
- A parent / guardian / family member
- Your Club's Welfare Officer
- Weightlifting Wales Safeguarding Officers (simon.roach@weightlifitng.wales or hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales)
- British Weight Lifting Safeguarding Officer (Sue Ward - via email: sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org or telephone: 01132 249 402.)
- Childline give advice and support too and you can phone them on 0800 1111 (this number won’t appear on your phone bill; link opens in a new window).
Being Safe Online
For keeping safe on the internet, The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has lots of info, with special sections for children and young people. If you have or have ever had a concern regarding someone on the internet or their behaviour towards you, you can make a report to CEOP. You can also click on the Keeping Safe Online poster below.
Wellbeing
If you are looking for some advice on mental health and wellbeing, you can visit https://www.youngminds.org.uk
The most important thing to Weightlifting Wales, is that the people who take part in the sport can do so in a safe and fun environment. Speak to someone if you are worried or concerned, so that they can help you.
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Play Safe Stay Safe: Young Person's Guide
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Keeping Safe Online: Guidance for Teens and Young Adults
Weightlifting Wales is committed to safeguarding people participating in the sport, it is therefore vital that everyone involved in Weightlifting Wales, including coaches, volunteers and staff, are aware of their duty to safeguard the interest of children, young people and adults at risk.
Visit our news section for an important update on guidance for members.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE CONCERNED
Sport should be a fun, enjoyable and safe part of every participant’s life.
If you have concerns about the welfare of a child / young person / adult at risk:
Are they in immediate danger or are they injured?
- If yes -> contact the emergency services immediately.
Report the concern:
In a sport setting:
- If you have a concern about something you have heard, witnessed, or have had disclosed to you by someone, then you should detail your concerns in the Safeguarding Concern form below, and send onto the Weightlifting Wales Safeguarding lead: Simon Roach. If Simon is not reachable, you can contact the Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Hannah Powell (contact details can be found below) unless you believe there is immediate risk to someone: in which case you should always contact the emergency services.
- All licensed Weightlifting Wales Clubs should have a Welfare officer (CWO) who has undergone safeguarding training and are there for you to report concerns to if the matter involves a member of their club or an incident has occurred at the club itself. If you are unsure of who is your CWO then you should speak to the owner or contact WW directly.
- If the club or activity where there is concern isn’t licensed with Weightlifting Wales, you should report your concerns to the social services relevant to the area that the club is situated / to the police if you suspect immediate harm to another person.
If you are outside a sport setting:
- You should notify the local authorities, such as the social services relevant to the area, if you have a concern about someone, again, if you suspect immediate risk of harm, call the emergency services straight away. It is still your duty to report a concern, even if this is outside your sport.
- If there's no one else available to help you, contact the police.
- If you are unsure of what to do, and there is no immediate risk to a person, you can contact the NSPCC or Weightlifting Wales safeguarding officers for advice.
Receiving a Disclosure
REMEMBER
It's not your responsibility to decide whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is your responsibility to act if you have concerns. No action is not an option. Never ignore a concern; your information may be vital, no matter how insignificant you may think it is.
If a child / young person / adult at risk discloses information to you about abuse, here are some tips on how to handle that conversation:
DO:
- Make yourself accessible for that person to approach you
- Stay calm and reassure them
- Listen to them and take them seriously
- Explain what you are going to do next
- Consult with safeguarding officers immediately - call the police if you have concerns about immediate risk
- Write down everything you have been told and include all the details you can
DO NOT:
- React strongly; it may be very difficult for this person to tell you this information and your reactions may make it more difficult
- Jump to conclusions
- Make any promises to keep secrets - you will have to disclose any concerns
- Make speculations or ask leading questions
- Interrupt or stop someone whilst they are giving information
- Try to fill silences during a disclosure; allow them to think
- Dismiss or downplay their concerns
- Keep information to yourself - you have a duty to report a concern about abuse
Links and Resources to NSPCC Guidance
Links for Parents and Carers and people in positions of care
NSPCC: 5 things to ask your child's Sports Coach when choosing a club for them
NSPCC: Keeping children safe in sport: A Parent's Charter
Child Protection in Sport Unit: Advice for Parents
Child Protection in Sport Unit: Knowing when something is wrong
Free E-Learning for Parents: Keep your child safe in Sport
NSPCC Information and Guidance on Protecting Children from Grooming
Safeguarding Adults at Risk in Sport CPSU
Upcoming Safeguarding Courses:
Choose the right training here (Child Protection in Sport Unit)
Time to Listen Club Welfare Officers (Online)
Click here for upcoming courses through Welsh Sport Association
Free Parent E-Learning (English)
Free Parent E-Learning (Cymraeg)
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Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week
Our Commitment to DBS Checking
As part of our commitment to safeguarding in sport, Weightlifting Wales uses the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) DBS Checking Service for Sport & Leisure. The service is run through its trading arm Vibrant Nation, and provides bilingual, online DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service, formally CRB).
The WSA is the only provider of a fully bilingual system and service in Wales, and even offer a free DBS bilingual helpline should you have any questions. WSA offer a range of ID verification options, including the Post Office. The system also utilises the DBS Update Service, allowing Weightlifting Wales to fully enhance our safeguarding practices.
The system is entirely web-based and can be accessed from any location, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The system will also guide you through the process, ensuring that all correct information is provided thus reducing the likelihood of errors. Most applications are returned within 2 weeks, although many come back much quicker than this, some as quickly as 24 hours.
All individuals working with/having regular unsupervised contact with children should undertake an enhanced disclosure DBS check. Additionally, in Weightlifitng all licensed coaches must have an enhanced disclosure DBS check
For more information on DBS checks, please contact the Welsh Sports Association via the e-mail address or Helpline service below:
admin@vibrantnation.co.uk Tel 029 2033 4995
Alternatively contact your Weightlifting Wales safeguarding officers Simon Roach and Hannah Powell via the details below:
Simon.roach@weightlifting.wales; Hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales
Policies, Forms and Useful Guidance
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WW Safeguarding Policy
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Safeguarding Concern Reporting Form
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Bullying Report Form
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Safeguarding Reporting Flowchart
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Welsh County Safeguarding Contacts
Club Resources
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Clubs Welfare Officer Contact Poster Download
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Club Duty of Care
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Managing Challenging Behaviour
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Guidance to Responding to a Concern
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Social Media Guidelines for Clubs
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Remote Coaching Safeguarding Guidance
Main Contacts
Weightlifting Wales Welfare and Safeguarding Officers
Simon Roach
Hannah Powell
Useful Contacts
NSPCC
Childline
0800 1111
