To make complaint about how DC's injury was handled at cheerleading class?

[Nocheerhere]

NC- regular reader, occ poster blah blah blah.

Last week DD sustained an injury whilst at cheerleading class. She described it as falling into her neck/shoulder coming out of a handstand. She was immediately in agony, screaming & crying in pain. She asked for me to be contacted & told they couldn't locate my number. DD is normally dropped off by her friends Mum, she asked them to contact her to contact me but they wouldn't.

DD was advised to keep mobilising her shoulder and was left at the side for the remainder of the class. When DH arrived to collect DD he heard her crying from the car park. She screamed all the way home (5 min journey). One look at her & it was clear she needed a&e.

Turns out DD had a suffered a nasty break in her collarbone. The days since the accident have been tough for her. No school. Needs assistance with toilet, eating etc. Pain has been such that she has subsequently been prescribed Dihydrocodeine as at one point breathing was causing her immense pain.

I really do not feel this incident was dealt with appropriately at the class. The advice she was given, if followed could have seriously complicated the injury. If it had been her neck I dread to think what the outcome could have been. It also breaks my heart that she was waiting there in agony for us & we weren't contacted.

I just wondered if any one runs a similar class, what procedures are in place? It doesn't sound like basic first aid or H&S procedures were followed. My concern is another child will be injured with far worse outcome. How should I go about approaching this with them.

Thanks

[TeenTimesTwo]

When you complain, you need to be clear what you want:

• an apology
  
• a review of how emergency contact numbers are stored, kept current, and made accessible if needed during the training
  
• an update to their first aid training / policy on what to do if a child is injured
  

I would write a letter and ask for response within 14 days. I would include something like 'I understand that with this sport accidents can happen, and I do not blame the leaders. However I do feel that the accident wasn't handled as well as it should have been and I would like you to undertake a review ...'

[Tansie1]

What teentimestwo says.

[upsideup]

No YADNBU, that is awful, please to question the care your dd got.
I have no advice on how you go about it though My DD1 suffered a really serious injury at a kick boxing club when she was little, no staff called us and when we picked her up it was they basically suggested that she was only crying so hard because she was a girl, and that she was absolutely. She ended up staying in hospital for a month and wasnt fully healed for over a year, I had no energy to be angry at anyone or do anything about it then, this was 10 years ago and it is my biggest regret that I didnt push it any further, I let dd down massively by not.

[ChasedByBees]

I would definitely complain and take this further.

[Iceswan]

Wtf of course complain. Hey didn't handle it AT ALL!

[frasier]

They need closing down!

[Insertquirkyname]

I used to run an after school club and I had sign in sheets for each week to be competed by parent, medical info and emergency contact numbers on registers.
There is no way in hell I wouldn’t have been able to locate a phone number. I would also contact the local council as they are not following child protection guidelines. All voluntary clubs are accountable to local council.

[Berthatydfil]

Actually I would be asking for the details of their affiliated body. Cheer leading involves some potentially dangerous moves and I would have expected the club leaders / coaches to be signed up to their policies on injuries particularly head and spinal, they should all have first aid training and a safeguarding policy.
I think it’s borderline negligent and I would want more than an apology I would want assurances that the leaders had updated first aid and safeguarding training.
The fact that they didn’t have your contact info is worrying, and the fact they refused to contact her friends dm to get in touch with you is terrible. Yes fractures in children are very difficult to diagnose but an accident as you describe, with her obvious pain and distress should have prompted them to contact you immediately and suggest a trip to a and e as a precaution.
I’m afraid I would have second thoughts about ever sending her back unless they can prove their procedures are vastly improved

[PrettyLovely]

Your poor dd, they sound completely incompetent, Not even having your number stored isnt that just basic..
Letting her cry in pain and not tending to her I would be be very angry.
You should definitely complain!

[Bambamber]

YANBU that's absolutely disgraceful

[flumpybear]

Pure incompetence! Do what @TeenTimesTwo days

[Jasmina456]

This is especially shocking in an activity that is relatively high risk, like cheerleading - you would expect them to have a clear policy in place for how to deal with accidents and to be red hot on potential neck injuries.

I would complain, and would not send my daughter back to that class.

[Glumglowworm]

YADNBU

Emergency contact numbers should be easily accessible at all times. Any child that’s screaming in pain should have their parents called.

Accidents will always happen, but they absolutely should’ve dealt with it better and need to improve their procedures going forward.

[insancerre]

Have they reported it to RIDDOR and their insurance company?
Normal procedure would be to contact parents
Have they recorded it in their accident book and do they have any first aiders?

[0hCrepe]

Poor thing that’s horrific. Yes it’s responsible to complain and you’d be doing the others a favour ensuring their safety in future. If a child won’t stop crying in pain it’s A&E - I can’t believe how stupid they were.

[0hCrepe]

I also think all parents should be sent a copy of the policy and assurance.

[KittyHawke80]

Your poor daughter. The thought of her being asked to ‘mobilize her shoulder’ with a broken collarbone makes me feel a bit funny. I’d be livid.

[Penfold007]

Yes to checking that RIDDOR report has been done. I'd also be getting legal advice, not because I'm jumping on the sue them boat but because of personal experience. My DC was badly injured on an inadequately organised/supervised cadet activity, it's had life changing, life long implications for them.

[Kaykay06]

That sounds horrific, your poor daughter must’ve been in agony. Surely a trainer should’ve been sent to call you, then help your daughter and not have her sat at the side in agony. I’d be livid and as someone above said decide what it is you want from them when you contact them.

I’d especially want an apology and to know that if there is another accident a child is treated better than your daughter was. And to ensure someone is first aid trained. My exbil teaches first aid with a sports element for coaches and trainers so someone should know what to do.

I hope you get an apology and your daughter heals well and isn’t too traumatised by her experience.

[RandomMess]

Wouldn't have happened at ours, parent called and if necessary ambulance rang.

Usual immediate treatment is an instant ice pack thing.

[TERFragetteCity]

I don't know about complaint - I'd be there first thing tomorrow requesting a photocopy of the accident book sheet for your lawyer. And I wouldn't move until it I had it.

Then I would decide on whether to take it further.

[RedSkyAtNight]

I agree that they should have done more and hope your DD recovers quickly.

however ... how old is your DC? Might be a good idea to get her to memorise contact numbers for you/anyone else appropriate.

[Boffered1]

YANBU cheerleading is relatively high risk and procedures for accidents should most definitely be in place. Calling parents when a child is crying in pain is the very least they should have done. Are they qualified coaches with the relevant insurances and first aid qualifications? Personally I believe anything gymnastic based should only be taught by qualified gymnastic coaches. Your poor DD they sound completely indifferent. I hope she recovers well.

[fruitcider]

Blimey! That's terrible!

I would want

• details of first aid training (and who was the named First aider during that session
• photocopy of accident book entry
• insurance details
• copy of RIDDOR report

I would also consider ringing safeguarding at your local council. Failure to seek help after a child sustains a significant injury may be classed as neglect.

[TERFragetteCity]

Also, the accident procedure that they were supposed to follow