Safeguarding Adults Week

This week (18-22 November) marks the Ann Craft Trust’s Safeguarding Adults Week, which aims to raise awareness of important, but often sidelined, safeguarding issues.

Safeguarding - protecting the welfare of those who take part in our sport - is of primary importance to England Athletics, with numerous measures in place to ensure that children and adults within our sport are provided with a genuinely safe and welcoming environment in which to flourish.

One of these measures is the club safeguarding standard which, from 2025, will become mandatory for all clubs.

Emma Davenport, Head of Clubs and Participation (England Athletics Safeguarding lead) said:

"Making our safeguarding standard a mandatory requirement for clubs represents a significant step forward, and underlines the determination that we all have to ensure that athletics and running provides a safe place for all."

"Crucially, this applies to all clubs, not just those who offer athletics and running to under-18s. It is a relatively common misconception that safeguarding issues apply only to children, but as Safeguarding Adults Week will highlight, everyone has a responsibility to play a part in safeguarding anyone at risk."

"We would urge all clubs to familiarise themselves with the checklist below ahead of the safeguarding standard becoming mandatory, and make sure that processes are in place – including the appointment of at least one Lead Welfare Officer – to address any safeguarding or wellbeing concerns which may arise at your club."

What is a Welfare Officer and why are they so important?

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What do clubs need to do now?

Before reaffiliation in 2025, clubs will have to:

• Confirm that the club agrees to implement the UK Athletics and HCAF Safeguarding club code of conduct. Clubs should adopt and communicate these policies to their members.
• Confirm that the club has ensured its members have agreed to the relevant UK Athletics and HCAF Code of Conducts and are managing the conduct and behaviour of those associated with the club as officials, coaches, volunteers, athletes, runners and supporters.
• Appoint a minimum of one Lead Welfare Officer that has completed the online UK Athletics Safeguarding course, the virtual England Athletics Adult Welfare Course and completed a DBS check.
• Declare all active coaches and leaders and ensure that they have valid England Athletics licence (these are the coaches and leaders who are actively delivering club-led and coached sessions).