Safeguarding

 

1.1 General principles
• Everyone who participates in cycling is entitled to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.
• All Brent BMX Club, events and associated individuals must follow the policies defined in this document.
• Brent BMX Club is committed to helping everyone in cycling accept their responsibility to safeguard children from harm and abuse and support them to do so.
• This document sets out the procedures you need to follow to protect children and what you need to do if you have any concerns.
1.2 Scope
These policies apply to all riders, coaches, volunteers, employees and anyone involved in cycling, whether or not they are Brent BMX Club members. All these people have a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and prevent their abuse.
1.3 Why these policies are needed
Abuse can occur in many situations including the home, school and the cycling club. We know that some individuals will actively seek access to children through sport in order to harm them.
1.4 Policy statement
Brent BMX Club is committed to:
• making the welfare of children paramount. This means that the need to ensure that children 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 cycling in a fun and safe environment
• taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings
• taking seriously all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse and responding swiftly and appropriately to them in accordance with current procedures
• ensuring that all Brent BMX Club employees who work with children are appropriate for that role and responsibilities and provided with relevant training
• requiring all its member clubs, events and commissions to accept responsibility for the welfare of the children in their care in accordance with all Ealing BMX Club's policies and procedures, and to incorporate these in their constitutions and rules
• recognising that children and families from minority group backgrounds may face barriers to accessing help and reporting concerns in respect of safeguarding issues 2. Good practice, poor practice and abuse
2.1 Introduction
It can be difficult to distinguish poor practice from abuse, whether intentional or accidental. It is not the responsibility of any individual involved in cycling to make judgements regarding whether or not abuse is taking place, however, all Brent BMX Club personnel have the responsibility to recognise and identify poor practice and potential abuse, and act on this if they have concerns as explained in section 3.
2.2 Good practice
The role of a coach enables that individual to potentially develop a close relationship with children.
All coaches have a responsibility to maintain high standards of professional practice.
British Cycling strongly advises that coaches of junior cyclists:
• are a British Cycling member
• are bound by the British Cycling Code of Conduct (SG 1.1) and Sports Coach UK Code of
Conduct
• are a qualified Brent BMX Club coach
• have completed Safeguarding and Protecting Children training
• are suitably educated in Child Protection and First Aid as a minimum standard.
Everyone should:
• conduct a risk assessment before undertaking any cycling related activities
• aim to make the experience of cycling fun and enjoyable
• promote fairness and playing by the rules
• not tolerate the use of prohibited or illegal substances
• treat all children fairly and preserve their dignity; this includes giving more and less talented members of a group similar attention, time and respect commensurate with their needs
Coaches and those working directly with children should:
• respect the developmental stage of each cyclist and not risk compromising their welfare in a desire for club or personal achievement
• ensure that the training intensity is appropriate to the physical, social and emotional stage of the development of the rider (further information is available from the Coaching resources)
• work with parents and children to develop training and competition schedules which are suited to the needs and the lifestyle of the rider, not the ambitions of the parents, coaches, team managers or club
• build relationships based on mutual trust and respect, encouraging children to take responsibility for their own development and decision-making
• always be publicly open when working with children: o avoid coaching sessions or meetings where a coach and an individual athlete are completely unobserved o keep parents informed about the content and nature of any communications you have directly with their children including emails and text messages o try to avoid one on one situations in changing rooms. If children need to be supervised/ helped try to involve parents or carers
• maintain an appropriate and open environment, with no secrets
• avoid unnecessary physical contact with young people. Physical contact (touching) can be appropriate so long as:
o  it is neither intrusive nor disturbing
o  the reason that it is necessary has been fully explained
o  the rider’s permission has been openly given
o  it is delivered in an open environment
• maintain a safe and appropriate relationship with cyclists. It is inappropriate for coaches and others in positions of trust to have an intimate relationship with a child under 18 years.
This could be a criminal offence, an ‘abuse of trust’ as defined by the Sexual Offences
(Amendment) Act 2000
• be an excellent role model by maintaining appropriate standards of behaviour guarding
• gain written parental consent, to act in loco parentis for the administration of emergency first aid or other medical treatment if the need arises • be aware of any medical conditions, existing injuries, disabilities and medicines being taken. Keep a written record of any injury or accident that occurs, together with details of any treatment given
• ensure that someone with appropriate training in and current knowledge of emergency first aid is available
• gain written parental consent for any travel arrangements where appropriate and ensure risk assessments are completed taking into consideration the vehicle, length of drive, road conditions etc and ensure appropriate supervision is in place within British Cycling
Coaching guidelines
• gain written parental consent where an activity includes an overnight stay (see SG 4.2).
Parents should:
• talk regularly with their children about their cycling activities and their welfare 
• talk regularly with their child’s coach about their child’s cycling activity
• monitor the relationships that are inevitably created through their child’s participation in cycling
• monitor any communications that their child receives regarding their participation in cycling
• contact British Cycling’s SLO should there be concerns about any inappropriate behaviour
2.3 Poor practice
The following are regarded as poor practice and should be avoided:
• contacting riders in excess of what a reasonable, professional coach would  
• spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
• engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games
• allowing or engaging in inappropriate touching of any form
• using inappropriate language to a child or allowing children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
• making sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in jest
• reducing a child to tears as a form of control
• letting allegations made by a child go uninvestigated, unrecorded, or not acted upon
• doing things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves
• taking children alone in a car on journeys, however short (see note below)
• inviting or taking children to your home or office where they will be alone with you (see note below)
• sharing a room with a child.
Note: In exceptional circumstances it may be impractical to avoid some of these particular examples of poor practice. In which case, to protect both the children and yourself, you must seek parental consent and also make sure that the CWO of your club/organisation is aware of the situation and gives approval.
If whilst in your care a child is accidentally hurt, the child seems distressed in any way, appears to be sexually aroused by your actions, or misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done, report any such incidents as soon as possible to another adult and make a brief written note of it.
Parents should also be informed of the incident.
2.4 Abuse
Abuse is a broad term in the context of safeguarding children. There are many degrees of abuse and it can take many forms. This can range from low-level name calling or ridiculing of a rider, which may be considered “poor practice” to serious neglect or physical attacks which would likely lead to a child protection investigation being conducted.
Abuse in all its forms can affect a child at any age. The effects can be so damaging that without appropriate intervention, they may continue to have a very negative impact upon an individual into adulthood.
An individual who has been abused may:
• find it difficult, or impossible to maintain a stable, trusting relationship
• become involved with drugs or prostitution
• attempt suicide or self-harm
• go on to abuse another child.
• show angry or volatile behaviour without reason
Those who belong to a group that may be considered additionally vulnerable such as those with disabilities may be at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as:
• stereotyping
• prejudice
• discrimination, including ethnic or racial
• isolation
• powerlessness to protect themselves
• inability to communicate that abuse has occurred.
2.4.1 Indicators of abuse
Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. It is not the responsibility of those working in cycling to decide that child abuse is occurring, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.
Indications that a child is being abused may include one or more of the following:
• unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries or an injury for which an explanation seems inconsistent
• the child describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her
• someone else, a child or adult, expresses concern about the welfare of a child
• unexplained changes in a child’s behaviour, e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn, displaying sudden outbursts of temper or behaviour changing over time
• inappropriate sexual awareness
• engaging in sexually explicit behaviour
• distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected
• difficulty in making friends
• being prevented from socialising with other children
• displaying variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite
• losing weight for no apparent reason
• becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt.
Abuse may be classified under the following headings:
2.4.2 Neglect
“Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
In a cycling context this could include:
• a coach not keeping children safe by exposing them to undue cold, heat or the unnecessary risk of injury e.g. allowing cyclists under their supervision to train or race inappropriately clothed for the prevailing conditions
• a parent consistently leaving a child without adequate provisions e.g. food, water, clothing, sun protection.
2.4.3 Physical Abuse
“Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of or induces illness in a child.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
In a cycling situation this could include:
• a coach disregarding the individual requirements of each child’s growing body or needs when setting a training programme.
• a coach shaking a rider who has misbehaved during a session 
2.4.4 Sexual Abuse
“Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of, or consents to, what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative acts such as rape, buggery or oral sex or non-penetrative acts such as fondling. It may also include non-contact activities such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
In a cycling situation indicators could include:
• a coach engaging in unnecessary and inappropriate  physical contact e.g. massaging the thighs of the riders suggestively
• a coach making suggestive comments to their riders
• an inappropriately close relationship developing between a rider and a coach
• an individual spending an unnecessary amount of time in the changing area when children are present.
2.4.5 Emotional Abuse
“Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making the child feel or believe that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children to frequently feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level  of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)

In a cycling situation this could include:
• a parent or coach subjecting a rider to constant criticism, name-calling, sarcasm, bullying or racism
• a parent or coach putting a rider under unrealistic pressure in order to perform to high expectations.
2.5 Bullying
“Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
Bullying can be:
• Emotional- being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding kit or equipment, threatening gestures)
• Physical- pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist- racial taunts, graffiti or gestures - J
• Sexual- unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic- because of, or focussing on, the issue of sexuality
• Verbal- name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.
2.5.1 Anti-Bullying Policy
British Cycling is committed to fostering a caring, friendly and safe environment for everyone involved in cycling so that they can participate in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in cycling. If bullying does occur, all riders, coaches, volunteers or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.
Bullies come from all walks of life. They bully for a variety of reasons and may even have been bullied or abused themselves. Typically, bullies can have low self-esteem, be excitable, aggressive or jealous. Bullies can be boys or girls, men or women. Although bullying often takes place in schools, research shows it can and does occur anywhere where there is inadequate supervision – on the way to and from school, at a sporting event, in the playground or changing rooms.
Competitive sports such as cycling are an ideal environment for the bully.
The bully in cycling can be a:
• parent who pushes too hard
• coach who adopts a ‘win at all costs’ philosophy
• rider who intimidates or ridicules a peer
• club official who places unfair pressure on a person
• spectator who constantly shouts abuse.  2.5.2 Why is it important to respond to bullying?
Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying.
Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Cyclists who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Everyone involved in cycling has  a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying. For specific guidance on actions to prevent and deal with bullying,refer to SG 1.5 and SG 1.5a.
2.5.3 Signs and Symptoms
The damage inflicted by bullying can frequently be underestimated. It can cause considerable distress to children. A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied.
Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• says they are being bullied
• is unwilling to go to club sessions
• becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence
• regularly feels ill before training sessions
• has clothes torn or possessions damaged
• has possessions go ‘missing’
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• is frightened to say what’s wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above.
In more extreme cases:
• starts stammering
• cries themselves to sleep at night, has nightmares or wets the bed
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• self harms
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.
These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and be investigated.
2.5.3 Cyber Bullying
Cyber Bullying refers to bullying and harassment through the use of electronic devices such as personal computers and mobile phones- using email, texting and social networking websites.
Cyber Bullying is wilful and involves recurring or repeated harm inflicted through the medium of electronic devices and is meant to cause emotional distress.
Cyber Bullying might include:
• A peer who intimidates through the use of a social networking website.
• A cycling coach who sends negative feedback about  a participant via personal text message
• A cycling club member who posts negative comments  about a fellow member on a club forum
Cyber Bullying may also include threats, sexual remarks and hate speech. E-Bullies may publish personal contact information of their victims at websites. They may attempt to act as the victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that would defame or ridicule them.
Cyber Bullying is particularly serious due to the nature in which the abuse occurs. It can be very personal and take place in a closed private format where the victim may feel isolated and the content will not be viewed by parents, friends or siblings. Alternatively it could take place in a public format. It may lead to the victim re-reading any material in private perhaps leading to feelings of paranoia, depression or loneliness.
British Cycling will take all cases of Cyber Bullying seriously and deal with them in line with the standard bullying procedures. 3. Responding to suspicions and allegations of abuse
3.1 Introduction
Although most cases of child abuse take place within the family setting, abuse can and does occur in cycling.
• It is essential that all allegations are taken seriously and appropriate action is taken.
• It is not your responsibility to decide if child abuse is taking place.
• It is your responsibility to report your concerns to the British Cycling SLO- no matter how trivial the concern may appear.
• Not acting is not an option.
3.2 Receiving evidence of possible abuse
You may have concerns about abuse/poor practice because:
• you see it happening
• you recognise signs such as those listed in Section 2.4.1
• someone reports it to you
• a child approaches you directly.
If a child says or indicates that they are being abused, or you have concerns about their welfare you should:
• react calmly so as not to frighten them
• tell them they are not to blame and that it was right to speak up
• take what they say seriously
• recognise that there may be inherent difficulties  in interpreting what is said by someone who has a speech disability and/or differences in language
• keep questions to the absolute minimum necessary so that there is a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said
• reassure them, but do not promise to keep the matter secret – explain that to resolve the problem it will be necessary to inform other people as appropriate
• the safety of the child is paramount - if the child needs urgent medical attention call an ambulance, inform the doctors of the concern and ensure they are made aware that this is a child protection issue
• record all information
• report in accordance with British Cycling’s procedures.
A series of British Cycling support documents (SG 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8) are available to help those in receipt of concerns, those against whom allegations have been made and those reporting allegations and concerns.
3.3 Recording information: confidentiality and information sharing
All concerns that you may receive should be recorded, ideally using the British Cycling form,
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern (SG 1.4).
You are recording this information for:
• yourself, so you have a record of what happened
• the CWO or other designated welfare person within  your club, who will co-ordinate any action that needs to be taken
• the British Cycling Safeguarding Lead Officer so that they can advise you
• the Police/Children’s Social Care Services if appropriate.
It is not appropriate to share sensitive and confidential information with other people, e.g:
• your club committee
• members of your club
• other acquaintances outside cycling.
Any information relating to child protection should be held under secure conditions and made
available on a need-to-know basis only.
When recording information on the form you should:
• confine yourself to the facts – what you have observed/seen, heard or had reported to you
• distinguish between what is your own personal knowledge and what you have been told by
other people • not include your own opinions on the matter. Be clear where you are giving either your own or others’ interpretation of events and the reasons for this (e.g. context, individual’s
response to challenge).
British Cycling has adopted the CPSU Information Sharing Protocol. This comprehensive document
illustrates clearly, in words and diagrams, how decisions to share information are made within British Cycling and between British Cycling and other bodies. The document is available as SG 5.1
on the British Cycling website. 
3.4 Reporting the concern
The discovery that someone you know may be abusing a child will raise feelings and concerns at your club. Although it can be difficult to report such matters, you must remember that:
• the welfare of the child is paramount
• being vigilant helps to protect children
• everyone has a duty of care to report any concerns they have immediately
• a good reporting structure ensures that concerns are dealt with fairly.
British Cycling’s Whistle Blowing Policy (SG 1.10) assures all members, staff, and volunteers that it
will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith, reports a concern that a colleague is or may
be abusing a child.
3.4.1 Circumstances where reporting to the CWO is not possible
• If the CWO is unavailable or is implicated, talk directly to a senior club officer or go directly
to British Cycling’s Safeguarding Lead Officer for advice.
• If concerns arise in a setting where there is no CWO, e.g. at a school - inform the head
teacher or the member of staff with responsibility  for child protection or welfare. Always
ensure, in these circumstances, that British Cycling’s SLO is informed of the referral.
• When with athletes away from home, inform the person who has responsibility for welfare.
This may be the head coach or team leader.
3.4.2 Involving parents or carers
British Cycling is committed to working in partnership with parents. In most situations, it is important that the CWO or SLO involves parents to clarify any initial concerns e.g. if a child seems withdrawn, they may have experienced a recent bereavement.
Where a parent or carer may be responsible for the abuse or may not be able to respond to the situation appropriately they should not be involved, as it may place the child at greater risk.
3.4.3 Involving British Cycling
The SLO must be informed of all allegations of abuse and persistent poor practice as soon as possible in order to decide the following:
• what further action should be taken by the club or British Cycling
• whether further action, advice or investigation is needed by/from the Police, Children’s
Social Care Services or the NSPCC. Passing on this information is important because the matter may be just one of a series of other instances which together cause concern. It enables the Safeguarding Team to act appropriately to support deal with the concern and to analyse trends and improve existing British Cycling policy and guidance. 
Any letters to the SLO regarding referrals should be marked ‘private and confidential’ and sent to:
British Cycling, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ. Alternatively the SLO can be contacted on
0161 274 2000 or 0161 274 2002 outside office hours. The SLO or another designated person from British Cycling will keep you notified when appropriate of procedures and timescales whilst any investigation is ongoing.
3.4.4 Involving Statutory Agencies
In any case of physical or sexual abuse or where the child’s safety is at risk, you should contact one
of the following statutory agencies immediately:
• Your local Police Child Protection Team or in an emergency dial 999.
The police should be involved if the apparent abuse is of a criminal nature or if the incident involves a person outside the child’s family. A record should be made of the crime reference number.
• Local Authority Children’s Social Care Services (formerly known as Social Services). This body has a statutory duty for the welfare of children, especially where the alleged person is a member of the child’s family. When a referral is made, their employees have a legal responsibility to investigate. This may involve talking to the child and family and gathering information from other people who know the child. In an emergency the Samaritans (08457 909 090) will hold the duty officer’s contact number.
• NSPCC (freephone 24 hour helpline 0808 800 5000). 
All telephone referrals to the above bodies should be confirmed in writing by you within 24 hours to
that agency. You should record the following:
• name and job title of the member of staff to whom the concerns were passed
• the time and date of the call
• a summary of the information shared and the response received.
3.5 Allegations of previous abuse
Allegations of abuse are occasionally made some time after the event, for example by an adult abused as a child by someone who is still working with children. Where such an allegation is made, you should follow the procedures given above and have the matter reported to the SLO, the police and/or Local Authority Children’s Social Care Services. This is because other children, either within the sport or outside it, may be at risk from this person. Normally, anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to child abuse is automatically excluded from working with children.
3.6 Barring individuals from working with vulnerable groups
Individuals working in cycling may be or become barred from working with vulnerable groups. This means they can no longer engage with these groups. This will occur in a number of ways:
• British Cycling may refer an individual to the Independent Safeguarding Authority as recommended by Social Care Services following a safeguarding investigation (Scottish
Cycling may refer individuals to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme in Scotland)
• The individual may be barred due to reasons outside of cycling British Cycling clubs must be aware of the legal requirement to refer individuals to the above organisations whose behaviour suggests there is a safeguarding concern. British Cycling clubs must contact the Safeguarding Lead Officer who will provide advice, guidance and complete the referral process.
3.7 Actions and sanctions
British Cycling may take action to restrict a member’s involvement in cycling during an ongoing investigation. This is a neutral act and does not pre-empt any decision. At a later point the individual may be subject to action under the British Cycling Disciplinary Rules. 4. Safeguarding Children in the cycling club environment
4.1 Club Welfare Officer (CWO)
Every cycling club that has young members (under 18 years old) using its facilities should appoint a
Club Welfare Officer (CWO). All Go-Ride Clubs must comply with this. This person must have a
child-focussed approach, good communication skills and an ability to provide support and advice.
They should also be well organised, have good administrative and recording skills and an ability
and willingness to promote and implement the British Cycling Safeguarding & Protecting Children
Policy, procedures and resources.
The CWO should be a figure well known in the club and approachable by children but not someone Involved directly in the coaching or day-to-day running of children’s programmes. It is advised that the CWO is a member of British Cycling. It is essential that the CWO is able to act in a confidential manner and to recognise the boundaries of their competence, role and responsibilities and where to seek advice and support.