What it is

So, what is Child Abuse?

This document sets out to describe the various forms of abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect and seeks to position racism and bullying within this framework.

Such behaviour may or may not be intentional but, regardless of the intention, is not acceptable to Pentathlon GB and efforts will be taken to eradicate it.

Good practice is set out in Pentathlon GB's behavioural guidance and codes listed on this page.

Some partner organisations, such as the Child Protection and Safeguarding Unit (CPSU) and other National Governing Bodies (NGBs) provide useful awareness videos on child abuse, which can be accessed online. See, for example, the CPSU and Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) O2 Advice

How to Recognise it

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 acknowledged that staff and volunteers are not, generally speaking, experts at such recognition.

Some indications that a child has been Abused may include:

• 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;
• An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent;
• The child describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her;
• Someone else (a child or adult) expressing concern about the welfare of another child;
• Unexplained changes in behaviour over time e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden bursts of temper;
• Inappropriate sexual awareness;
• Engaging in explicit sexual behaviour;
• Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected;
• An apparent difficulty in making friends;
• The prevention by an adult from socialising with other young people;
• Displaying variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite;
• Weight loss for no apparent reason;
• An increasingly dirty or unkempt appearance;
• Displaying frequent unexplained minor injuries.

The CPSU website has a series of training videos which can be consulted on-line.

Some children and young people are mentally or physically more vulnerable than others, which could make it easier for abusers to exploit them. They may also find it more difficult to recognise and report abuse, and to be believed. In recognising and dealing with abuse, it is important to consider:

Age

For example:

• Younger, children have limited life experiences and so have not developed the social skills needed to work out what the behaviour of others means. This could make them less able to understand what appropriate and inappropriate behaviours are.
• Have been encouraged to comply with other people’s wishes and not to question authority figures.
• Are afraid to challenge potentially abusive situations because of fear of the consequences. It is often easier to be compliant and pleasing rather than risk angering an authority figure and getting into trouble.
• Younger athletes are less likely to be confident about approaching an adult to express a concern or to articulate it clearly if they do.
• Older athletes are more likely to bully younger ones.

Gender/Sexuality

Girls are more likely to be sexually abused than boys.

Homosexuals may hold attitudes or behave in ways that clash with those held by adults with whom they interact and cause tensions leading to abuse.

Race/Ethnicity

Children from some ethnic backgrounds will have poor linguistic/language/communication skills with mainstream culture.

As a result they may not be able to report abuse either because there is no-one they can report it to or because they do not have the appropriate language to use.

Some ethnic minority families are less likely to share personal concerns outside what they regard as their own culture.

Religion

Children from some backgrounds may at times be subject to traditions that prevent them from participating in sport in the same way as the majority because of beliefs around dress, gender roles, fasting, mixing with members of the opposite sex etc. This may mask certain types of abuse.

Disabilities

Children with physical and or mental disabilities, are x3 times more likely to be abused because of

• Reduced mobility to physically move away from danger
• Total dependency on /trust of adults
• In some cases more subject to mood swings
• May not be able to recognize that abuse has taken place.
• Feel powerless because they have to depend on others for personal support.
• Are not believed because their authority figures cannot accept that anyone would abuse a disabled child.
• May not have anybody they can trust and confide in.
• May feel guilt or shame about the abuse which prevents them from reporting it.
• May not have a sense of ownership of their own bodies because they are so used to being examined physically by others as part of their medical and physical care.
• Have low self-esteem and a poor self image.

Socio/economic

Children who are in care, left to fend for themselves after school, getting to and from training, dependent upon adult support from outside the immediate family etc. are more likely to be abused.

Children from poor homes are less likely to feel confident about themselves or have high self-esteem making them more vulnerable to abuse.

Children from poor homes are less likely to have good communication skills and parental support.

Heritage

Children of abused parent(s) are more likely to be abused by their parents than non abused parents.

It is the duty of anyone witnessing such abuse to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities.

How to Prevent it

Pentathlon GB aims to safeguard its members and prevent child abuse by:

1. appointing a Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead Officer and Regional Welfare Officers.
2. the selective recruitment, management and development of its workforce
3. developing Policies, Codes, Guidelines and Procedures for athletes, coaches, parents, officials
4. cooperating with partners
5. provision of information and resources

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead Officer's role is to develop and embed safeguarding policy and procedures within the organisation. The role and responsibilities of this position are set out here.

The role and responsibilities of the Regional Welfare Officers is set out here.

Workforce

Pentathlon GB has a selection process which includes

• Adherence to its Equality policy
• Matching personal skills and competancies to roles in the job specification
• Qualification checks
• Screening of those 16 years of age and over working with children and vulnerable adults in Regulated Activity, via
  • Completion of a self-declaration form
  • DBS Barred List checks. This flow chart illustrates how Pentathlon GB assesses whether a position requires a DBS check and this document outlines how it is managed. Any disclosures will be Risk Assessed via an impartial process. Pentathlon GB has produced a brief guide to it’s DBS requirements and a fuller guide to managing the disclosure process.
  • References from previous employers
  • An induction process which includes a briefing on Pentathlon GB Equality, Child Protection policies and procedures, an assessment of their CP knowledge and identification of training needs, if appropriate.
  • A probationary period of employment

Pentathlon GB has a management process which includes:

• Strict adherence to its Codes of Conduct and Policies
• Investigation of all complaints

Pentathlon GB has a management philosophy which includes:

• Ongoing development and appraisal, including completion of SCUK's Safeguarding & Child Protection I and II Training as a minimum standard for deployment. A detailed guide to the appointment of staff (paid and volunteer) is available here
• Mentoring and the provision of guidelines to promote good practice

Pentathlon GB Child Protection Lead Officer:	Other Useful Contacts:
Dr Richard Cox	Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Tel: 01928 733283 or 07590 444372	Childline Tel 0113 274 4802
email : childprotectionofficer@pentathlongb.org	NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
Postal Address: Child Protection Pentathlon GB 22/23 Eastwood University of Bath Claverton Down BATH BA2 7AY	NGBs British Fencing British Swimming Shooting Pony Club Running
	Local Safeguarding Boards from here it is possible to identify contact details for each area.

Codes

1	Code of Conduct for Spectators	Behaviour expected of spectators at Modern Pentathlon events
2	Code of Conduct and Ethics	Core values underpinning Pentathlon GB
3	Code of Conduct for Athletes	Behaviour expected of athletes in Modern Pentathlon
4	Code of Conduct for Chaperones	Expected behaviour for chaperones
5	Code of Conduct for Clubs	Expectations of clubs and coaching environments
6	Code of Conduct for Coaches	Codes of conduct and behaviour required for all Modern Pentathlon coaches
7	Code of Conduct for Officials	Expectations of officials' behaviour engaged in Modern Pentathlon
8	Code of Conduct for Parents and Carers	Guidance for the behaviour of parents at events and towards other athletes etc.

Policy Documents

1	Anti-Bullying Policy	Pentathlon GB's attitude and reaction to bullying behaviour
2	Employment of Ex-offenders	Pentathlon GB policy towards the employment of ex-offenders
3	Equality Policy	Pentathlon GB's policy on equality and inclusivity
4	Photography Policy	Pentathlon GB's policy to use of cameras and videos at training and events
5	Transport Policy	Pentathlon GB's policy to the transportation of children by staff and duty of care on away trips
6	Whistle Blowing Policy	Pentathlon GB's policy to those wishing to make disclosures confidentially
7	Athletes' Charter	Pentathlon GB's policy for Athletes joining the World Class Podium Potential, Talent and Development Programmes

Guidance Notes

1	Dealing with Bullies	Guidance notes on dealing with bullies in Modern Pentathlon
2	Electronic Communications (including social networking)	Electronic Communications (including social networking)
3	Event Organisers	Guidance notes for event organisers in Modern Pentathlon
4	Guidance for Chaperones	Guidance notes for chaperones acting in loco parentis
5	Guidance for Clubs	Expectations of Modern Pentathlon clubs and coaching environments
6	Guidance for Clubs about Suspension	PGB-Guidance for Clubs about Suspension of individuals pending an investigation
7	Guidance for Coaches	Guidance notes for coaches in Modern Pentathlon
8	Guidance for Coaching Environments	Guidance for those running coaching environments for Modern Pentathlon
9	Guidance for Parents	Guidance for the behaviour of parents at events and towards other athletes etc.
10	Guidance for Restraining	Guidance Note on the use of physical restraint in Modern Pentathlon
11	Guidance for Team Managers	Expected behaviour of team managers engaged in Modern Pentathlon
12	Guidance for Young Athletes	Guidance for how to behave towards other athletes in Modern Pentathlon
13	Guidance to Safeguard Disabled Children	Guidance for people working with children with disabilities
14	If A Complaint is Made About You	Guidance for individuals against whom a complaint has been made
15	Managing Challenging Behaviour	Guidance notes on dealing with challenging behaviour in Modern Pentathlon
16	Safeguarding Handbook	Comprehensive handbook of guidance and policy regarding Safeguarding
17	What is Child Abuse?	An explanation to help people identify what Child Abuse is and how to recognise it
18	Safeguarding Flow Chart	Diagramatic description of processes to be followed

Forms

1	DBS Consent Form	DBS Consent Form
2	Form for Reporting Safeguarding Incidents
3	Freelance Coach Details Form	For completion by all volunteer and paid coaches working in Modern Pentathlon
4	Informed Consent Form	Form to grant permission for one-to-one coaching where necessary
5	Self Declaration Form	Form for completion by anyone working in Regulated Activity with children and vulnerable adults

Miscellaneous Resources

1	Safeguarding Newsletter No1	Published September 2012
2	Safeguarding Newsletter No2	Published January 2013
3	Safeguarding Newsletter No3	Published May 2013