Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week (7-11 October 2024)

This week we are marking ‘Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week’. Everyone knows the physical, mental and developmental benefits of getting children active, but ensuring that they can take place safely is key.

At England Athletics, we’re taking important strides to ensure that our network of affiliated clubs, member bodies, programmes and schools are safe spaces for children to enjoy taking part in our sport. Take a look below as we explore some resources from the NSPCC for parents and coaches, an important update about the compulsory Safeguarding Standard, as well as some excellent ways to keep your children and young adults engaged in athletics and running!

About the week

Keeping children safe is essential all-year round, and October sees the NSPCC and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) join forces to highlight the importance. Their aim this week is to support parents, carers and coaches to that they feel confident about playing their part in their child’s sporting journey. Learn more about the week and take a look at some key resources and support documents.

Compulsory Safeguarding Club Standard

Here at England Athletics, we have produced a set of Club Standards in line with legal legislation to help clubs understand about good governance and duty of care for their members. From 2025, in order to reaffiliate with England Athletics, all clubs and groups will need to achieve our Safeguarding Standard as a mandatory requirement. Whether a club has a junior section, or is solely for adults, obtaining the Safeguarding Standard is essential to ensure that all club activity is safe. It is the responsibility of club committees prioritise safeguarding, identify their welfare officer and make sure that all of their leaders and coaches are licenced with England Athletics.

Have a go at athletics with funetics!

We strive to give every child the chance to take part and enjoy athletics and running. With funetics, we are delighted to introduce children aged four plus to the key fundamental movement skills in fun and exciting ways. Whether you want to find a funetics session near you or give some of the activities a go at home, visit the funetics website to start your child’s journey!

Personal Best Foundation supporting children and young people

We are proud partners of the Personal Best Foundation, a charity focused on opening doors for the most disadvantaged children and young people in England, supporting them to participate, enjoy and succeed in athletics. Whether you are a school, community group or individual, there are a variety of programmes for you access through the Foundation.