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.
Safeguarding guidance
Reporting or responding to a concern
Detailed advice on what you can do if you think a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention.
Advice for parents and carers
Guidance for parents or carers who want to know how to keep their child safe in sport and physical activity.
Safeguarding in martial arts
Get up to speed with the new Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts and achieve the very best safeguarding standards.
Safeguarding for organisations, associations and bodies
Advice for organisations and associations involved in the management and development of sport and physical activity.
Safeguarding for companies and non-traditional sports
Safeguarding advice for sports or activity providers who aren’t affiliated to a national governing body.
Safeguarding advice for sign-posters
Advice for those who guide children and young people to sport and physical activity.
Safeguarding for schools and leisure providers
If you lease or rent your facility to a sports provider or club, it’s essential that you check with them to ensure that safeguarding is taking place.
Safeguarding Advisory Panel
Recognising the need to work with and learn from people with lived experiences, we've established an Advisory Panel comprising individuals with lived experience of abuse, and others with experience of working in organisations hoping to combat abuse.
By establishing the panel, we aim to ensure that those individuals who've suffered abuse and exploitation within sport, not only have a voice but can also help to improve safeguarding provision in sport and activity for children, young people and adults at risk.
The Whyte Review
Together with UK Sport, we’ve co-commissioned a fully independent review into allegations of abuse in gymnastics.
The structure of the review, alongside its terms of reference, were published on 25 August 2020.
The review is being led by Anne Whyte QC, and it would like to hear from individual gymnasts, parents, carers or guardians of gymnasts, gymnastics coaches, British Gymnastics staff or former staff and any other organisations and individuals who want to provide information.
Evidence should be submitted to the Secretariat to the Whyte Review via info@whytereview.org by 5pm on Friday 25 September 2020.
Read the independent review’s terms of reference, frequently asked questions, and biographies for the QC and her advisors Mike Cave and Tonia Couch, plus find out how you can get in touch with the review, via the Whyte Review website.
