The Child Protection in Sport Unit – Supporting National Governing Bodies in Hearing the Voices of Children: An Evaluation of Current Practice

Abstract

Sporting environments provide contexts in which a range of abuses of children has occurred. While there is an increasing awareness of the need to improve child protection in sport, the extent to which listening to children's voices can support this has yet to be explored. This paper reports on research commissioned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Child Protection in Sport Unit to understand the way in which the expression of children's voices is facilitated in sport. Thirty‐four national governing bodies of sport in the UK responded to an electronic questionnaire exploring expression of children's voices in their organisations. Findings indicate that challenges concern: children's perceived lack of interest; confidence in self‐expression; time, resources and logistics; organisational culture and attitudinal change. ‘Good practice’ was identified in: formal structural communications; tailoring contributions to interests and strengths; use of primary research; and sharing ideas remotely. The projected value of listening to children's voices includes understanding children's perspectives and identification of potential concerns. The expression of children's voices is of value to national governing bodies in sport and there is potential for this to prevent elements of abuse in sport. Key Practitioner Messages National governing bodies of sport believe that the expression of children's voices in sport can positively inform child protection practice. Material and cultural limitations can prevent the expression of children's voices. There is potential for an embedded expression of children's voices that could support intervention prior to abuse occurring.

Child Protection and Contexts of Recognition

“…The importance of creating spaces in which children's voices can be heard and valued is equally evident in our second paper, which explores safeguarding in sport. In this paper, Suzanne Everley (2020) from the University of Chichester analyses 34 responses to a survey of national governing bodies of sport in which they were asked how they provide information, and listen, to children – and the value and challenges that come with these processes of communication. Through a lens of Foucauldian theory, the author notes how power relationships between sports coaches, parents and carers, and children, as well as the wider sporting industry, create both material and relational features that can silence children.…”

“…Like Brennan and McElvaney's (2020) article on disclosure, the survey data in this paper suggest that contexts which value the views of young people cannot be created through guidance or process alone. Organisational cultures need to promote young people's participation and demonstrate this in their decision‐making processes: should this be achieved, Everley (2020, p. 126) argues that ‘the environment for children becomes more secure and practitioners benefit from the reflection that this provides them with’. In doing so, the author situates safety in the contexts with which children interact, rather than in children themselves.…”

Listening to children's voices in UK sports clubs: A Foucauldian analysis

“…As these challenges can be said to exist as a result of what appears to be a distribution of power, a theoretical context that can help with interpretation here is that developed by Foucault (Foucault, 1991). Foucault perceived power not as a fixed entity to be shared or distributed, but one that is variable and constantly negotiated and redefined (Everley, 2020). As such, power can be seen as a ‘strategy’ that is established through interaction – according to Foucault, these interactions are based on essential forms of knowledge that are prioritised within different aspects of society.…”

“…Such conformities are surveilled both by others and the athletes themselves (Downham & Cushion, 2020; Foucault, 1991) and do not necessarily result in improved performance, but rather damage to participants (Mills et al, 2020). This generates the potential for abuse situations to arise with any athletes but this is particularly enhanced with children due to the pre‐existing formalised power differentials that are exercise in sport (Everley, 2020).…”

Embedding Child Rights Principles and Practises in Mega Sport Event Planning

“…Children will often need the help of others in order to form a view (Lundy, 2007). While Everley (2020) suggests that representation of the vulnerable by interested adults is an important factor in supporting safe engagement, she also argues that this potentially means that those responsible for children may prioritise success above welfare.…”