Welfare training
To help support everyone within the sport we offer a number of different training opportunities for roles across the sport.
Safeguarding in Athletics Tier 1
An introduction for all to safeguarding is th Safeguarding in Athletics tier 1. This course provides an understanding of what safeguarding is within athletics.
The purpose of the course is to:
- Raise your awareness of the importance of safeguarding.
- Help you to recognise indicators of safeguarding concern.
- Deal with the concern of abuse, disclosures and reporting procedures.
- Show you how to take action if you know of suspect that a child, young person or vulnerable adult needs help.
- Promote good practice in your setting and create a safer environment,
This course provides the required safeguarding training for Coaching Assistants, Leaders, Officials and welfare officers.
The eLearning is self-guided and takes approximately 2-3hrs depending on the person.
- Book your place on the Safeguarding in Athletics eLearning module (course costs £10)
Safeguarding in Athletics Tier 2
The Safeguarding training that you will receive builds on the content from the online course that you have already completed. It provides the opportunity to discuss safeguarding scenarios within the sport, making this learning current and relevant to your coaching environment. It will:
- Help you to recognise the forms of abuse.
- Raise awareness of the barriers to recognition and reporting abuse/ poor practice.
- Help to identify good/ poor practice.
- Identify the mechanisms for reporting abuse and poor practice, using the athletics-based scenarios.
This training is a combination of face-to-face (via zoom), and an online self-paced module and multiple-choice questionnaires. This course provides the required safeguarding training for coaches at Athletics Coach, Coach in Running Fitness, Event Group & Level 2 and above.
The workshop and learning takes approximately 2-3hrs depending on the person.
- Book your place on the Safeguarding in Athletics Tier 2 training (course costs £20)
Safeguarding in Athletics Tier 3 – Child Welfare course and Adult Welfare course
Child Welfare course (formerly Time to Listen)
The Child Welfare course is an online ‘Zoom’ based workshop with an experienced safeguarding tutor. It’s specifically designed for all club Welfare Officers in athletics to help them understand and deal with safeguarding matters in clubs, know how to report concerns and ensure their clubs are set up with all the required safeguards in place.
Each Zoom course runs from 6-9pm and includes interactive work and discussions between group members. Child Welfare courses are required for Welfare Officers in clubs who have any members aged under 18, including members who participate occasionally in any club events aged 16 or 17.
Even if you have pre-existing qualifications in safeguarding we strongly advise you attend this course as it is athletics specific and will provide you specific training in the athletics safeguarding environment and case studies.
- Book your place on the Child Welfare course (course costs just £25).
Adult Welfare course
From 1 March 2023, Welfare Officers in an ‘Adults only’ club where members are all aged over 18, do not need to attend the Child Welfare course and can attend the Adult Welfare course instead. This course focuses on issues that can arise in clubs without children and also on adult safeguarding.
- Book your place on the Adult Welfare Course (course costs just £20)
UKA have a suit of other workshops that might support those working and supporting safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing.
Mental Wellbeing in sport and physical activity
This course is endorsed by Double Olympic Gold Medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes MBE’s ‘The Running Mind’ initiative. It is aimed at those who participate in sport and their support networks such as coaches, family and medical support staff.
- Learn more about Mental Wellbeing in sport and physical activity course (PDF 742KB)
- Book your place on the Mental Wellbeing in Sport and Physical Activity course
Additional Support and suggested links can be found on Club Hub
Prevent Bullying
Whether participating in a sport, coaching or volunteering everyone should be aware of what bullying is and how it can be prevented. At EduCare we ensure that all of our courses are written and endorsed by experts. This course has been produced in partnership with UK Athletics, the governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom.
- Learn more about the Preventing Bullying in Sport course (PDF 769KB)
- Book your place on the Preventing Bullying in Sport course
Support for Welfare Officers
Visit Club Hub and filter by role (Welfare Officer) or topic (Welfare and Safeguarding) for extra support and information.
FAQs
Are there any prerequisites to attending the Child Welfare and Adult Welfare courses?
All Club Welfare Officers must have an accepted UKA Enhanced DBS check and complete the online Safeguarding in Athletics eLearning module before attending the Child Welfare course and/or the Adult Welfare course.
How long is the Child Welfare course and Adult Welfare course valid for?
Both courses are valid for three years. It’s important to redo the courses to keep up to date as legislation and guidance can change in this period.
We are an adult only club with a Lead Welfare Officer who has completed the Child Welfare course last year and it's valid for three years. Will this still be accepted for club standards?
Yes. the Time to Listen course is still valid and will be accepted for Club Standards. It is recommended that you attend the Adult Welfare course as it will provide support specifically to clubs with members aged over 18.
We have a mix of children and young people, and adults within our club. Does our Welfare Officer need to do both the Child Welfare course and the Adult Welfare course?
If you have ANY members who are aged under 18, the Lead Welfare Officer must attend the Child Welfare course. It is good practice to also attend the Adult Welfare course, but it is not mandatory.
What is the difference between the Lead Welfare Officer and the Welfare Officer?
All Welfare Officers must have completed the Safeguarding in Athletics online e-module and either the Child Welfare or Adult Welfare course. They must also have an accepted UKA enhanced DBS.
The Lead Welfare Officer is the person who will liaise with England Athletics/UK Athletics on serious misconduct and safeguarding allegations and will be the first point of contact from both organisations.
Can I use my Time to Listen certificate from another sport?
If you have attended a general Time to Listen course through the CPSU, you may be able to use this qualification. You will need to send a copy of your certificate (which must have been issued within the last 3 years) to enquiries@englandathletics.org, who will let you know if it is acceptable and can add it to your URN record.
As we do need all Welfare Officers to have training in a sports safeguarding. We do not accept pre-existing general Time To Listen / Child Welfare courses but can consider sports specific Time to Listen / Child Welfare courses completed in the last three years.
However, we strongly recommend that all Welfare Officers also attend the England Athletics Child Welfare course, as it is sport specific and will give you details of policies and processes in athletics.
I am trained in safeguarding through my work/other role. Can I be exempt from attending the Child Welfare and/or Adult Welfare training?
England Athletics recognises and values Club Welfare Officers who have previous knowledge and training in safeguarding. Your experience will be an asset to your club. However, it is important that you complete the England Athletics courses, which focus on our own internal reporting procedures and policies and case studies in athletics, to ensure everyone in athletics knows how to report within the sport and when and how to report concerns externally.