ParalympicsGB | Safeguarding

ParalympicsGB has a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of all its members, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.

ParalympicsGB is committed to:

Making the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk paramount. This means that the need to ensure that children, young people and adults at risk are protected is a primary consideration and may override the rights and needs of those adults working with them
Enabling everyone whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity to participate in ParalympicsGB organised activities in a fun and safe environment
Taking all reasonable steps to protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings
Taking seriously all concerns and allegations of poor practice or abuse and responding swiftly and appropriately to them in accordance with current procedures
Ensuring that all ParalympicsGB employees and consultants who work with children, young people and adults at risk are appropriate for their role and responsibilities and are provided with relevant training
Recognising that children and families from minority group backgrounds may face additional barriers to accessing help and reporting concerns in respect of safeguarding issues.

ParalympicsGB Safeguarding Officers

ParalympicsGB has a Lead Safeguarding Officer and a Deputy Safeguarding Officer who have responsibility for Safeguarding at ParalympicsGB. They have undertaken relevant training with the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).

Lead Safeguarding Officer Clare Cunningham Head of Athlete Services Clare.Cunningham@paralympics.org.uk

Deputy Safeguarding Officer Helen Lee Athlete Services Officer Helen.Lee@paralympics.org.uk

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

These policy forms part of the staff induction at ParalympicsGB and can be found here: https://paralympics.org.uk/footer-pages/governance

Reporting concerns

ParalympicsGB has clear procedures for reporting concerns for children, young people and adults at risk both in and outside of a sports environment. ParalympicsGB has a case management group, which includes both Safeguarding Officers, and this group is responsible for managing any concerns issued.

ParalympicsGB Safeguarding Officers have direct contact with their counterparts in the National Governing Bodies of sports that form ParalympicsGB’s membership and any concerns regarding the staff or coaches of a National Governing Body can be passed on.

Reporting procedures can be found in Appendices Four to Seven of the Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy and procedures and section 10 of the Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures: https://paralympics.org.uk/footer-pages/governance

Safe Recruitment Practice

ParalympicsGB will ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent unsuitable people from working with children.

All volunteers and employees working in a role that involves significant access to children, or where they hold a Position of Trust, or existing volunteers or employees who change their role to work with children, are required to complete a vetting process as outlined in the Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy and Procedures in 5.1 Safe Recruitment Practice.

Awareness and Training

In addition to pre-selection checks, the safeguarding process includes training after recruitment to help staff and volunteers for ParalympicsGB to:

Analyse their own practice against established good practice, and to ensure their practice is not likely to result in allegations being made.
Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse.
Respond to concerns expressed by a child, young person or adult at risk.
Work safely and effectively with children, young people and adults at risk

Information for parents

Information regarding questions to ask and things to look out for when choosing a sports club for your child can be found here: http://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/2017/keeping-children-safe-in-sport-a-parents-charter/

Contacting your National Governing Body

Contact information for NGBs can be found here: https://thecpsu.org.uk/help-advice/deal-with-a-concern#who-can-support-you

Who can support you?

NSPCC Worried about a child? Advice and support whenever you need it. Tel: 0808 800 5000

Childline A free and confidential helpline for children who have concerns. Tel: 0800 1111

Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding support and advice for adults at risk

The Safe Network Safeguarding information and advice for the voluntary and community sector - from after school art clubs to weekend reading groups. Tel: 0845 608 5404 or email enquiries@safenetwork.org.uk