Information for parents

Supporting your child in their sporting life

Knowing how to best support your child can be difficult, especially during emotional times like matches, performances, competitions or selection stages.

This video features interviews with parents and children talking about their sporting lives.

How to support your child emotionally and practically

• listen to your child about their experiences in their sport or activity
• talk openly about how they feel and what support they need
• reassure them that however they feel, it is ok to feel how they do
• let your child know you’re proud of them for many different reasons and tell them
• encourage from the sidelines
• help your child to prepare for matches, competition's, training or games by - cleaning kits and boots, prepped bags, clothing, equipment, food and drinks
• ensure your child arrives on time and is collected on time by an approved adult that is known to the sport club or activity, and has permission to do so
• get to know sports staff so you can build confidence in them to help your child develop
• respect the officials’ and referees’ decisions and treat them with respect
• respect all players and other spectators
• report any negative behaviour from any adult or child
• raise any concerns or worries

We’ve also developed a factsheet on Negotiating the post-game conversation. This offers some helpful guidance on when, where and how to have these conversations.

Knowing when something is wrong

It’s vital that all parents and carers can spot any possible signs of abuse and know what to do. Here are some typical signs to look out for:

• unexplained changes in behaviour
• a change in the way they talk about their sport, coach, a member of staff, peer or any other individual
• anxiety about attending practice or taking part in a sport or activity they once enjoyed
• mention of negative things they’ve seen or heard happen to others
• changes in diet or appetite
• sudden concerns about their weight or appearance
• frequent communication, either online or in person, with a coach or other member of staff outside of the sports setting that isn’t about practices or competition planning
• unexplained gifts or favours from coaches or other staff members
• increased levels of stress or pressure to achieve or perform well

If you have any concerns, worries or doubts, we’ve developed some guidance that can help:

• abuse in a sports setting - this guidance gives examples of how types of abuse might occur, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, lower-level concerns, bullying, domestic abuse and non-recent abuse 
• deal with a concern – this guidance provides steps on how to deal with a concern in sports and activities.

What to do if you have a concern

Your child might come to you with a concern or worry. It’s important for you to address these concerns and raise this with the right people.

This video looks at what parents can do to help keep their child safe and who they can turn to for help if something is wrong. We hear Ellie's story, a young athlete who has a negative experience and whose parents aren't sure how to support her.

If you have any worries or doubts about your child, another child or anyone else involved in your child’s chosen sport, it's essential that you raise this and talk to someone. There are some helpful things to consider:

• listen to your child about their worries or concerns. Let them express how they feel freely and with an open mind.

• every club or activity should have policies and procedures in place to ensure children are safe in their care, as well as for dealing with concerns (you can request to see these at any time).
• if you’re unsure who to speak to, the NSPCC helpline can support you and advise you on what to do next - call 0808 800 5000

• speak to the club or activities’ child protection, safeguarding or welfare officer to discuss your concern, ask what happens next, and how your child and you will be supported going forward
• let your child know that you’ve acted on what they’ve told you, and that they can come back to you again if they need to

If you think a child is in immediate danger of abuse, contact the police on 999.

The idea of speaking out about abuse, a worry or concern can be daunting, but by taking action, you'll be safeguarding the child concerned as well as helping to prevent others being harmed or put at risk.

What should be in place at your child’s club or activity

Any good club or activity should have certain things in place to make sure they’re taking care of children during sessions, practices and any away trips and competitions.

You should feel confident asking a club about any of the areas below. You have a right to know these things and any good club will be happy to let you know what they have in place.

Safeguarding policy

Clubs and activity providers should have a safeguarding policy which outlines their commitment to protecting children and a clear procedure for dealing with all concerns. You should be able to see a copy of this policy.

Our sample safeguarding policy statement outlines how a sports organisation and activity providers will ensure children are kept safe during sport and sessions.

Safeguarding lead

Every club should have a welfare or safeguarding lead who you can contact if you have a concern. You should be given this person’s contact details. If not, their details should be available from any coach or be displayed on the club or activities website or in their venue.

Codes of conduct for staff, children and parents

There should be written code of conduct or behaviour showing what is required of staff, volunteers, participants, parents and carers. Theses codes should highlight the rules about what behaviour is expected and how this will be addressed if they are not upheld.

Safeguarding training for staff

Anyone working with children and young people should have received some level of safeguarding training. The level of safeguarding training required depends on the type of role they have and the frequency of involvement they have with children. We have information for coaches, clubs and other sports organisations on what types of training are available.

Safe ways of recruiting staff, including criminal records checks

All staff and volunteers should be subject to something called 'safer recruitment processes', which means that they’ve been interviewed, the organisation has seen references, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or criminal records checks for working with children and young people have been carried out where applicable.

Consent

We advise that any child under the age of 16 requires parental consent to join a club or activity. Part of giving your consent means you’re aware of the kind of club or activity you’re sending your child to and that you’re comfortable letting them attend.

Here we provide leaflets and videos to give you more information, as well as links to organisations for further help.

Services that can help support you and your child

• NSPCC – safeguarding advice, guidance and resources for parents and families
• Childline – support and information for your child on a range of different topics from managing emotions to staying safe online
• Anti-Bullying Alliance – an anti-bullying charity with advice and tools for parents
• Gendered Intelligence – support for trans young people and their parents
• UK Anti-Doping – support for parents with children on the talent pathway regarding clean sport

Further information and resources for parents

Here are some resources you might find helpful when it comes to supporting your child in sport, and which you might want to share with other parents.

• 5 questions to ask your child's sports club – a flyer detailing 5 great ways to make sure a club is safe for your child
• How can you get involved in your child's sports club? – a factsheet which gives some tips on supporting and encouraging your child
• Keeping children safe in sport – a parent’s charter (PDF) – the charter outlines what sports organisations should be doing to safeguard children in their care
• Keeping children safe in sport booklet (PDF) – this booklet outlines what parents should look for when choosing a sports club or activity with their child
• Negotiating the post-game conversation – this factsheet offers some helpful guidance on when, where and how to have these conversations
• Safeguarding awareness for parents and carers – a free course from the FA for parents and carers 
• Sport Parent EU – more information and resources for parents

Videos for parents

These videos, created by the CPSU, highlight the positive role you can play as a parent to support your child in their chosen sport.

My No.1 Fan - Positive parental involvement in sport

This video interviews parents and children about their sporting lives and involvement. It highlights the impact of both positive and negative parental involvement and side-line behaviour. 

Messages for parents of young athletes

The key for being involved in your child’s sport and to help them enjoy participating and achieve success is simply this – talk to your child.

More videos

You can find more videos on our YouTube playlist of videos for sports parents.