Supporting communities Support for your organisation Safeguarding Communities Is your organisation doing everything it could be to keep children, young people and adults at risk safe in sport? Do you, your staff or organisation understand what safeguarding is? Do you have up to date policies and procedures in place that will protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm? At Energize we are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare, we believe that everyone should feel safe when participating in sport and physical activity, whether participating in activities directly organised by us or through a third party working collaboratively with us. We're here to provide signposting to resources, policies and local experts in safeguarding. **Updates to Position of Trust legislation** The Ministry of Justice has announced the Positions of Trust law, which currently applies to roles like teachers and social workers, has been extended to cover 'any adult who has regular and direct contact with children and is in a position of authority over them’. The Close the Loophole campaign, run by the NSPCC and backed by many sports organisations, has resulted in the Ministry of Justice extending the law to see sports coaches and faith leaders included in this definition. This extends the legal protection for 16 and 17 year olds to prevent them being targeted by adults who hold a position of power and influence over them. Although young people aged 16 and 17 have reached the age of consent for sexual activity according to UK law, they could be vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation in certain situations. The NSPCC have developed two briefing papers that define abuse of positions of trust within a sports and dance context, and outlines the updated legislation passed in response to the success of NSPCC's Close the loophole campaign. These papers discuss the positive impact that those in position of trust can have on young people, and highlights recommended best practice for sports clubs, activities and organisations. Briefing Papers: Preventing Abuse Positions of Trust - Sport Preventing Abuse Positions of Trust - Dance You can also listen to the Changes to the position of trust podcast Safeguarding Children & Young People Child Protection in Sport Unit The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) is part of the NSPCC and is funded by Sport England. CPSU assist sporting organisations to develop and embed safeguarding policies and procedures, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, staff and volunteers. Is your organisation doing everything it could be to keep children and young people safe in sport? CPSU offer free sports safeguarding tools including online self-assessment tools will help your organisation audit current safeguarding and child protection arrangements and plan safe events. The CPSU provide safeguarding advice topics on particular subjects including, how to involve and hear from children and young people to help create a safe culture, online safety, LGBT+ issues, parental behaviour and more. For affiliated sports organisations, CPSU also offer tools to take you through the Standards for safeguarding children in sport. The CPSU also provide a range of resources including sample policies, codes of conduct, recent publications and briefing papers, and much more in their resource library Safeguarding Children & Young People's Board's Local Safeguarding Partnerships have been set up and co-ordinate the local provision for child protection in each respective county: Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Understanding the new Youth Work Practice and Safeguarding Standards The National Youth Agency (NYA) has developed new resources to support those commissioning or delivering youth work to meet their legal requirements. The NYA is the Professional Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) for youth work in England. They set the occupational standards for youth work and support the sector to build its skills and capacity. This enables more young people to access the personal, social, and educational development opportunities provided by youth work. The youth work practice standards Raising the bar outline the minimum requirements for the delivery of youth work. This is a go-to guide to support youth work delivery across all levels of organisation. The Safeguarding standards for the youth sector set out how to go further than compliance to embed a culture of safeguarding to support staff, volunteers and young people. Safeguarding Adults At Risk Ann Craft Trust The Ann Craft Trust is a leading UK Authority in Safeguarding Adults at Risk. Safeguarding adults is a responsibility for every sport and physical activity organisation. So getting this right will ensure a wider participation in sport and activity, and ensure safe access for everyone. The Ann Craft Trust have lots of resources and templates available to support you with all things safeguarding adults. You can also test your individual or organisational safeguarding knowledge and practice using their safeguarding checklist. The safeguarding checklist allows you to test your individual or organisational safeguarding knowledge and practices. This checklist covers safeguarding; prevention, recognition, reporting & recording, and reviewing processes. The Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework online tool supports organisations to implement best practice in Safeguarding Adults. Safer culture Fostering a safe culture is paramount for the protection of participants, volunteers and visitors, and is key to attracting and retaining new people. The Ann Craft Trust have developed a new self-evaluation tool for clubs and groups around; listening, learning and leading, to help organisations evaluate and learn about their culture and identify improvements that can be made to create a more open, secure and safer environment for all. You can explore the tool here. If you have a question or are looking for safeguarding advice, you can talk to an Ann Craft Trust safeguarding consultant. Safeguarding Adults boards Local Safeguarding Partnership Boards have been set up by local authorities and co-ordinate the local provision for adult protection in each respective county. Keeping Adults Safe in Shropshire Board Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership National Governing Bodies of sport (NGB's) NGB’s provide sport and activity specific safeguarding support. Sport England have collated a list of all recognised NGB’s that you can get in touch with. Supporting Mental Health & Wellbeing Community groups and organisations should aim to create a healthy environment where it is understood that everyone needs to look after their mental health and wellbeing in the same way that we look after our physical health. To demonstrate your commitment to protecting young people’s mental health and wellbeing you can adapt the text in this sample statement (PDF) and use it to support your group’s existing safeguarding policies. Mind Mind have worked with ACT to create a Safeguarding in Sport Toolkit which shares advice and guidance for sports clubs, groups and delivery organisations to help them support their participants’ mental health. Safeguarding Training UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children Workshop Duty to Care Toolkit NSPCC Child protection in sport and physical activity training NSPCC Training in Safeguarding and Child Protection ACES Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences Early Trauma Online Learning Buddle Safety, welfare and wellbeing (previously Club Matters) Child Protection in Sport Unit training and events Child Protection in Sport Unit podcasts Child Protection in Sport Unit webinars Time to Listen Ann Craft Trust E-Learning Courses Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults in Sport Training Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults Training Ann Craft Trust Essential Training for Club Welfare / Safeguarding Officer Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Young People Training Mind and UK Coaching Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity You can find further training by accessing our training page. Refer a concern If you have a safeguarding concern about a local sports organisation or activity please contact us via [email protected] or contact our Lead Safeguarding Officer Harry Cade If you are affiliated to a national governing body of sport you can refer concerns direct to your NGB safeguarding lead or contact our Sport Welfare Manager for further advice and guidance Leah Goode If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services on 999 You can find out more about Safeguarding Children & Young People and Safeguarding Adults including our Energize policies and procedures. Manage Cookie Preferences