Safeguarding and the rewarding role of a welfare officer: Claire Austridge’s story
As we draw closer to April 2025, it is vital that all affiliated athletics and running clubs across the country do their part to ensure they abide by the Club Safeguarding Code of Conduct. This was outlined in our Club Standards for 2025 and beyond to both protect their athletes' wellbeing and stay compliant with England Athletics’ club affiliation requirements. We have been working closely with our affiliated clubs to ensure a fun and safe environment is available to their athletes and coaches by appointing club welfare officers before the April deadline.
As well as being a safeguarding officer at her local school, Claire Austridge is also Club Welfare Officer at Blackheath and Bromley. As a key part of her club’s welfare team, her role is to ensure that the club’s policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safeguarding of all athletes. We recently caught up with Claire to learn more about the importance of her work and what being a welfare officer means to her.
Supporting athletes and coaches
Being a welfare officer means that you become a key person of trust and support within your club. Claire is glad to know that she can be there to support the members of her club:
“The athletes know who I am and what I do. I support athletes, coaches and officials in their roles. I’ve been in the club for over 30 years and have volunteered in a number of roles, so I know a lot of people, and as a welfare officer you’re there to support and help the athletes and I enjoy that side of it.”
Training that leaves you feeling confident
England Athletics provides comprehensive training for those considering taking a step towards becoming a welfare officer, including safeguarding courses that will leave attendees feeling confident and capable in tackling any challenges that may arise within their role.
Claire explains more about how her training has prepared her:
“I’ve completed several training courses, the Time to Listen course (now Child Welfare course), and several safeguarding courses. Generally, I'm there to promote the role I do in the club so that everybody knows who I am, and the athletes know where to go if they’ve got a concern or worry. My role is to log the details, support the athlete – or whoever is involved - and then I can escalate it further or I can deal with it within the club itself.”
A rewarding experience
Becoming a welfare officer for your club is a great opportunity to make a difference for your athletes and leave them feeling more comfortable about any problems they may be facing, Claire explains:
“What I enjoy about the role is that when things go well, if there’s been an issue or concern, and you’ve had to speak to possibly a parent or an athlete and the outcome is a positive one, that’s really rewarding. The main thing is interacting with athletes and making sure they’re supported and that they know there’s someone there. If they’ve got a worry or concern, or they’re even worried about a friend, they know they can have a chat with me.”
“Being a welfare officer does have its challenges, and I think the main one is when you’re having to perhaps speak to somebody that you know very well, whether it’s a coach, an official, or even a parent. But as long as you’ve got the facts and you’re confident in what you’re talking about, you’re really there to help the athlete or the person with the concern.”
Implement your safeguarding practices before April 2025
It is now a mandatory requirement for all clubs to complete the club standards checklist, including Club Standards 6: Safeguarding, before reaffiliating with us in April. England Athletics is here to help you stay compliant and on top of the important policies and practices to help your club remain a fun and safe place for everyone. Get affiliation ready by:
- Completing the code of conduct self-declaration box (confirming you agree to the overall club safeguarding code of conduct, and confirming your club has taken action to ensure all members have signed up to their relevant code/s of conduct).
- Appointing and uploading a minimum of one welfare officer that is appropriately trained with a DBS.
- Uploading all of your active leaders/coaches and complete the self-declaration box to confirm your club has declared all leaders/coaches on myAthletics Portal.