What can be managed by Club Welfare Officers?
Club Welfare Officers play a vital part in ensuring that athletics is a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for everyone.
We would expect Club Welfare Officers to handle:
Low-level concerns
These might include inappropriate language, offhand comments, or minor breaches of the club’s code of conduct. A quiet word, reminder of expectations, or a follow-up email may be enough to resolve the issue.
Early-stage conflict between members
Disagreements or tension between athletes, parents, or volunteers can often be managed through mediation or facilitated conversation. Your role is to listen, remain neutral, and encourage respectful dialogue.
Supporting committees with club discipline investigations
Sometimes issues within clubs can be more serious and lead to internal disciplinary cases. You should be involved in these club investigations; advise on process, help take statements and importantly support all those involved, including the alleged perpetrator, either personally or by identifying someone to act as a support.
Signposting to support services
If someone is struggling with mental health, experiencing bullying, or facing personal challenges, you can guide them to appropriate support - whether that’s club welfare resources, national helplines, or local services.
Reminders about club policies and expectations
Sometimes, people simply forget what’s expected of them. You can reinforce policies around safeguarding, inclusion, and respectful behaviour by sharing documents, hosting short briefings, or sending reminders.
Promoting education and awareness
You can remind members to complete mandatory safeguarding training, attend workshops, or engage with national campaigns around wellbeing. This helps build a proactive and informed club environment.
When to escalate to England Athletics/UKA
You can always contact England Athletics' Welfare Team or UKA’s Safeguarding Team for advice, even if you're not sure whether it’s a formal referral; their role is to support you.
However, our Welfare and Compliance Team do not investigate internal club disputes. If members have fallen out, relationships have broken down, or there are disagreements about club governance, these are matters for the club to manage through its own internal disciplinary policy.
Safeguarding
Always report to UKA Safeguarding Team if there are any safeguarding concerns (for example, potential abuse) involving anybody under 18 or an Adult At Risk (someone with additional care needs who is unable to look after themselves).
Serious Misconduct
Serious misconduct is defined in the National Disciplinary Policy and you should escalate a concern to England Athletics if:
- A concern involves someone in a regulated role (for example a coach, licensed official) which may affect their suitability for licensing
- There is a potential criminal matter
- There is a conflict of interest or you're too close to the situation
- You feel out of your depth or unsure how to proceed
The England Athletics Welfare Team is available to offer guidance and support to clubs. If you need advice, please get in touch. However, England Athletics will not take on cases that fall below the threshold for Serious Misconduct.
England Athletics will only investigate serious allegations of misconduct that could potentially result in a National Disciplinary Panel and possibly:
- A suspension from all athletics activity
- A review of an individual’s suitability for future licensing,
- Or removal from the sport
Clubs are expected to manage lower-level disputes and governance issues independently, with fairness, transparency, and member welfare at the core of their processes.
You should always let us know if any of your members has been arrested for child safeguarding allegations or any criminal matter which might pose a risk of harm to others, regardless of their role at the club.