Welfare

Welfare covers a wide range of important areas - from safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk, to tackling bullying, addressing poor coaching practice, and supporting clubs with disciplinary issues. It’s all about making sure everyone feels safe, respected, and supported in our sport.

Welfare in athletics is about creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone involved in the sport. It covers key areas such as:

• Safeguarding children and adults
• Promoting positive behaviour
• Preventing bullying
• Managing disciplinary concerns

Through clear policies and procedures - such as codes of conduct and guidance for handling welfare issues or complaints, England Athletics, UK Athletics, clubs, and associations work together to uphold high standards of care and protection.

Club welfare support

Every club affiliated with England Athletics must appoint a named Club Welfare Officer who has completed England Athletics welfare officer training. These club officers are essential in creating a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all their members.

Club Welfare Officers:

• Are the first point of contact for safeguarding, behaviour, or conduct concerns.
• Help members understand what to do and who to speak to.
• Support the management of day-to-day club issues.
• Provide early intervention to prevent escalation and maintain enjoyment of the sport.

England Athletics Welfare and Compliance team

The England Athletics Welfare and Compliance Team manages cases of serious misconduct and supports clubs with advice and guidance on internal matters and disputes. While they do not investigate cases that fall below the threshold of Serious Misconduct (as defined in the National Disciplinary Policy), they are available to offer support and advice to clubs, officials, coaches, and members.

Meet the Team

Welfare and Compliance Manager: Sarah Harrison, tel 07464 522426
Investigating Officers (part-time): Steve Pont, Bruce Knight, and Andy Ellis

The team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and can be contacted via: welfare@englandathletics.org  This shared inbox is monitored during office hours and we endeavour to reply to you as soon as possible, however in an emergency, you should contact 999.

Our Commitment to Welfare

England Athletics believes that all participants in athletics have the right to protection from harm, abuse, and exploitation. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to welfare and integrity.

We are committed to ensuring everyone who takes part in our sport can do so in a safe, inclusive environment. England Athletics will:

• Implement and maintain UKA Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk policies.
• Investigate all serious concerns swiftly and thoroughly under the England Athletics National Disciplinary Policy.
• Collaborate with UK Athletics and statutory agencies to create safe environments.
• Respect the rights and feelings of individuals.
• Make reporting concerns easy through robust processes.
• Act on issues impacting the integrity of our sport.
• Investigate allegations against coaches in a timely manner.
• Protect coaches’ rights to deliver in a safe and positive environment.
• Ensure disciplinary processes are swift, effective, and supportive.