6.2 Becoming aware of safeguarding concerns

There are many ways in which your organisation may become aware of concerns about someone.

How might your organisation learn about safeguarding concerns?

Explore the interactive below which shows how organisations often learn about concerns. Select each statement to learn more. Are there examples that are new to you?

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Reports from people inside sport. Reports from coaches, referees, medical staff, parents, athletes, children or others about something they have seen or heard – this could be unexplained injuries, conversations about possible abuse or sudden changes in someone’s behaviour. From recruitment or other internal processes. Information that comes to light in the course of a recruitment or another internal process – for example, from police criminal records checks or background checks, or in the course of a disciplinary hearing. The press or media. Information from the press or social media – for example, a report of someone going to court due to charges that relate to whether they should be allowed to work with children; or an online search on someone that reveals concerning information about something that has happened in the past. Local child protection services. Contacts from local safeguarding or child protection services – for example, the police, who may be investigating a member of staff following allegations outside of sport. People reporting their experiences. Direct reports from children or adults about abuse they have experienced or reports from parents about what their child has told them. This is also called disclosure. External sports or other organisations Information about an individual provided by other sports organisations. Non-recent abuse. Reports and allegations may be current or recent but may also relate to experiences that perhaps occurred several years ago. Many investigations start when survivors of non-recent abuse report an individual who is still working with children in sport.

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Comment

As you have learned, there are many ways that concerns can be raised. Safeguarding concerns are not always received as written reports. Concerns can be raised verbally or through an online platform. They can also be raised anonymously.

What if a law may have been broken?

If there is a suspicion that a crime may have been committed, concerns must be referred to the relevant authorities (such as the police or child protection services) so that they can start a formal investigation.

Remember, the authorities are responsible for investigating crimes as well as providing support to victims of abuse.

It is important to note that in some situations you may fear that making an official report to police or law enforcement might make things worse for a victim – you should always be guided by the ‘do no harm’ principle – and seek advice from trusted organisations and service providers, such as those who act as advocates for children in legal proceedings, to help in these decisions. You should also check whether reporting child abuse is mandatory in your country.

6.1 Introduction

6.3 What is a disclosure?