There are circumstances in sport when it is appropriate for an adult to touch (have direct physical contact with) a child, but it should always be for the benefit of the child, not the adult.
Children have a right to say what level of contact they are comfortable with from adults.
Parents need to feel confident that contact between those running sports activities and children are safe and appropriate.
Adults in sport need confidence that their actions cannot be misinterpreted, by the young people they are working with or by observers.
When can physical contact between adults and children take place in sport?
Physical contact between adults and children in sport should take place only when necessary to:
- develop sports skills or techniques
- treat an injury
- prevent an injury or accident from occurring
- meet the requirements of the sport
- comfort a distressed child or to celebrate their success
Principles for adult-child physical contact in sport
These are some good principles to follow to make sure physical contact between adults and children is safe and appropriate:
- physical contact should be in the interests of and for the benefit of the child, rather than the adult involved
- adults should explain the nature of and reason for the physical contact to the child
- unless the situation is an emergency, the adult should ask the child for permission, eg to aid the demonstration a specific sports technique
- sports clubs and coaches should provide an induction for new young members and their parents/carers with guidance about any physical contact that will be required as part of that activity
- children should be encouraged to voice concerns if any physical contact makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened
- contact shouldn't involve touching genital areas, buttocks, breasts or any other body parts likely to cause a child distress or embarrassment
- physical contact should always take place in an open or public environment - not in secret or out of sight of others
- well-intentioned gestures, such as putting a hand on the shoulder or arm can make people uncomfortable - adults in positions of responsibility shouldn't make gratuitous or unnecessary physical contact with children and young people
Physical contact and young people in sport briefing
This briefing provides guidance on the appropriate use of physical contact between adults and young people in sports activities.
Author: NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit
Published: 2021
Contents
- introduction
- when is physical contact appropriate in sport?
- physical contact best practices