6.8 Other types of welfare concerns about children

When sport is a safe space for children, they may feel comfortable to share concerns with people they trust, like their coach. For example, a child may share they are affected by mental health issues or are experiencing abuse outside of the sporting context. Whatever the welfare issues, you have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the child and to share your concerns.

Meet Patience: an experienced Safeguarding Lead

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A female safeguarding lead.

Through the second half of this course, you will hear from Patience. Her story helps to illustrate some of the challenges and solutions that she experienced in her early years in the role.

Let’s hear from her and find out more.

Something I learned about safeguarding concerns

Listen to her account. What is it that Patience learned and how did she provide the support that was needed?

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Transcript

Although I expected all safeguarding concerns to involve bad behaviour by coaches and other adults, I soon learned that this was not always the case. We have had reports from people worried about a child’s mental health. In one case it was a woman athlete who had been self-harming. In another, it was an athlete who had been struggling to cope with the death of a parent. Athletes have also confided in coaches and others about problems at home, college, or school.

Every organisation should take time to identify what types of support services are available locally. This will help you make the appropriate response much more quickly when a concern like this comes to your attention. Our organisation keeps a list of names and contacts of authorities, agencies, and organisations readily available at all times. And we add to this whenever we hear about a new service.

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As Patience suggests, it’s good practice for your organisation to find out what kind of support is available in your local community.