By Paul Stephenson, Senior Safeguarding Consultant for Northern Ireland
On Monday 9th December, our Senior CPSU Consultant Paul Stephenson will be speaking at Safe Sport International’s SS12024 Global Safe Sport Conference, Parks and Podiums about the complexities the sport governing bodies face when making decisions on a person’s suitability to return to participation or coaching, after allegations or concerns raised.
Paul has over three decades of experience in safeguarding and, in this blog, we hear about his journey, his professional philosophy and about the invaluable expertise he brings to the NSPCC CPSU and the sporting community.
Where it all started
I’ve been a qualified social worker for 33 years now and, before joining the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, I managed a residential social work team, working with sexual and violent offenders within the community. I’ve also worked directly with children from 6-17years old who have been impacted by abuse and neglect.
I’m passionate about keeping children and young people safer and preventing sexual violence. In addition to my professional roles, I’ve volunteered with my local church, the Special Olympics, TAMHI (a mental health charity that works in the sports sector), and the Circle of Support and Accountability.
I retain my interest in preventing sexual violence and the importance of a preventative public health approach through my role as secretary of NOTA (NI).
Why I joined the NSPCC CPSU
In my previous role I worked with several men who had used sport to gain access to children to both sexually abuse them and manipulate their parents and carers. Therefore, when the NSPCC CPSU was established in 2001, I was excited to join the team. I felt it was important to reduce the risks and prevent abuse to children and young people in sport rather than just reacting after harm had already occurred.
On top of that, I’ve always been a keen sports fan and support Coventry City FC (thank you for your sympathy).
Why is safeguarding in sport a passion for you?
I feel very privileged to be a social worker and able to work within the sports sector. It’s been exciting to see the progressive changes in attitudes towards children and young people’s experience in sport, as well as helping to work towards a safer future for all those involved within the physical activity sector.
I know, as I am sure we all do, that there is still so much more work to be done, but sports organisations and clubs are in a much better position to respond to concerns or poor practice than they were before the NSPCC CPSU was established.
I value seeing the tangible changes within organisations, those ‘a-ha’ moments that bring on positive change and support. And watching how individuals begin to realise how they can often be that “one good adult” in a child or young person’s life by taking the initiative to create a safe, environment where that young person’s voice is heard.
What I’ll be talking about at the SS12024 Global Safe Sport Conference
Following the rise in child-on-child sexual abuse cases that both the police and NGB’s (National Governing Bodies) are dealing with in the UK, I’ll be looking into the intricacy of how a sporting organisation should respond to these types of situations.
I’ll be homing in on the complexities that sport’s governing bodies face when making decisions on a person’s suitability to return to participation and even coaching, highlighting how sometimes a focus is placed on an athlete’s sporting ability rather than the impact and messaging their participation sends to those who have been impacted by sexual violence.
Furthermore, I’ll be talking about how sports can navigate this area of managing risk to other children or athletes whilst managing public perceptions.
My key advice about safeguarding
Risk assessments are integral within the sporting community. Without them, sports cannot defend their decision-making process. Sport needs to start to understand the risks of Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) within society and therefore sport as well.
Considering the importance sport can have on a young person or child’s life, including their mental health and their possible rehabilitation, it is essential that sports undertake correct risk assessments to enable sport to be a safer place for all. This requires experience, training and time; but it is time well spent as a collective community approach is essential if sport is going to continue to improve its commitment to keeping the athlete safe.
Book your place
The SSI2024 Global Safe Sport Conference is designed for a diverse audience, including board members, CEOs, national governing body (NGB) and international federation (IF) leaders or managers, safeguarding officers, researchers, athletes, and affected persons.
- informing, empowering and challenging board members, executives and decision makers to lead safer sport cultures and systems.
- connecting and sharing experiences to support safeguarding practitioners to implement changes.
Book your ticket for next week’s international conference by visiting the Safe Sport International Website.
Paul Stephenson is our Senior Consultant for Northern Ireland. He works to support sport's governing bodies to achieve and maintain their safeguarding standards. Paul assists organisations in having robust safeguarding policies and procedures but also encourages self-reflection to enable sports to examine their own culture and communication with their own stakeholder.
The Northern Ireland project supports sports organisations to:
- engage parents to help their child to enjoy their sporting experience and fulfil their full potential
- engage with young people and listen to their voices when shaping the delivery of sports activities and competitions
- understand the role they have in supporting a young people's mental health and wellbeing
- raise awareness of sexual abuse prevention