Sports settings

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) states that sports clubs and organisations including voluntary and private sector providers should have the arrangements in place and should collaborate to work effectively with the safeguarding partners as required by any local safeguarding arrangements.

Paid and volunteer staff need to be aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, how they should respond to child protection concerns and how to make a referral to local authority children’s social care or the police if necessary.

All National Governing Bodies of Sport that receive funding from either Sport England or UK Sport must aim to meet the Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) is part of the NSPCC and is funded by Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Wales and UK Sport.  They assist sporting organisations to develop and embed safeguarding policies and procedures, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, staff and volunteers.

They have useful self-assessment tools and guidance on writing polices for sports settings. Putting safeguards in place for children in sport | CPSU (thecpsu.org.uk)