Safeguarding

Working to safeguard those at risk

We all have a role to play in keeping others safe and people should know what to do if they have any concerns. That’s why we're working to support parents, carers, organisations, associations, clubs, activity providers, instructors/teachers/coaches and leaders to safeguard children and adults at risk.

Safeguarding: The basics

Safeguarding in sport is the process of protecting children and adults from harm by providing a safe space in which to play sport and be active.

A key part of child safeguarding is spreading the message about keeping children safe and building a culture of always acting in the best interest of all children.

One important difference between safeguarding adults and safeguarding children is that, as well as focusing on creating processes and systems to safeguard, there also needs to be a culture that consults with adults on every decision that affects them. Adults can of course make their own decisions, so it's important to keep them well informed.

Reporting or responding to a concern

If you think a child is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999. You can also ring the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 to report immediate risks.

It's important to remember that the welfare of the child is paramount. However, it's not up to you to decide whether or not a child has been abused, but to report concerns appropriately. For more detailed guidance, please click here. 

If you think an adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999. Wherever possible let the adult know what you’re doing.

If the adult is not in immediate danger or injured, wherever possible you should discuss your concerns with the adult and look together at what should happen next. For more detailed guidance, please click here.