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Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week

Everyone can play their part in keeping children safe, including in sport settings. That’s why we are proud to support the NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week from 3-9 October 2022.

We are helping parents and carers know what to look out for at their child’s athletics and running club and empower them to feel confident to raise any concerns.

Parents play a huge role in their child’s confidence, enjoyment and performance in sport. It is key that you feel empowered and equipped with the right advice to help you keep your child safe from abuse in athletics and running.

Safeguarding concerns can lie on a continuum from seemingly minor issues to more persistent and unlawful behaviours. All require a response from our clubs to ensure our club environments are safe and welcoming, and that every young athlete can flourish and build a love for the sport for a lifetime.

England Athletics encourages parents to question things they see and hear at clubs, competitions or events and speak out should they have any concerns about poor practice or abuse. Parents and Carers should check their club website or ask their Club Secretary for the following information;

  1. Club Welfare Officer details
  2. Codes of Conduct
  3. Safeguarding policies and procedures
  4. Licence status of their child’s coach or leader
  5. Other key policies such as the club’s constitution, heath and safety, GDPR, Inclusion, grievance and disciplinary

Parents and Carers should also know that they can report any safeguarding concerns any time by emailing safeguarding@uka.org.uk or by submitting a  concern on the UKA website.

England Athletics expressly expects all clubs to only use coaches with active UKA coaching licences and the relevant safeguarding training and DBS check. You can check the licence status of any coach.

Parents and Carers can also keep their children as safe as possible during athletics and running events by ensuring that any race or event the child enters is insured and licensed through a trustworthy  provider such as a governing body.

NSPCC Resources

The NSPCC are here to help you know what steps you can take to keep your child safe in their sports club or group. They have a range of advice, resources and even parent eLearning training to help you know what to look out for and how to respond should a concern ever arise.

Play your part in keeping your child safe in sport by accessing the NSPCC’s selection of sport advice and resources:

https://youtu.be/ogXvILLuPxk

England Athletics resources

Access England Athletics Safeguarding Information including;

  • Report a safeguarding concern.
  • Child safeguarding policy
  • Child safeguarding procedures
  • Safeguarding regulations
  • UKA and Home Countries Club Safeguarding Code of Conduct
  • UKA and Home Countries Parent and Carer Code of Conduct
  • UKA and Home Countries Children and Young People Code of Conduct

Club Hub resources

Access England Athletics Club Hub content including:

  • Introduction to Club standards
  • The role of a Welfare Officer
  • Club Committee responsibility for safeguarding
  • Club safeguarding webinar

Parent Hub

England Athletics have teamed up with theathleteplace to provide guidance and support to parents of athletes. The Parent Hub is the free-to-access platform for athlete parents.

Useful Contacts

Children and Young People