In December 2023, Working together to safeguard children was updated. We’ve put together this summary outlining the key changes for sport and physical activity organisations.
NSPCC Learning has also put together a briefing which outlines the main changes in the 2023 edition, including updates around:
- multi-agency expectations for all practitioners
- working with parents and families
- clarifying the roles and responsibilities of safeguarding partners
- the role of education and childcare providers
- multi-agency practice standards
- support for disabled children
- tackling harm that occurs outside the home
Key information for sport and activity organisations
Organisational responsibilities
Sport is specifically mentioned in points 316-317. In addition, points 310-315 outline the responsibilities of voluntary, charity, social enterprise, faith-based organisations, and private sectors, where there is considerable overlap with the sport and physical activity sector.
These sections repeat Section 11 requirements with specific reference to the Charity Commission and the CPSU Safeguarding Standards requirement for funded National Governing Bodies and Active Partnerships.
Position of trust
Point 223-228 now applies to sport and physical activity organisations since sport coaches and leaders were included within the legal definition of position of trust . This requires organisations to have appropriate procedures to respond to concerns and outlines the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who will be responsible for management and oversight of concerns in relation to these people.
Point 226 outlines organisations’ responsibilities around the investigation of concerns and support for individuals against whom allegations have been made. Point 227-228 outlines the responsibilities to report concerns to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) when an individual has been removed from their regulated activity.
Sport, physical activity and education
There is a significant crossover between sport and physical activity, and education. This is recognised in point 82 of the guidance and Local Safeguarding Providers (LSPs) should consider including voluntary, charity, social enterprise organisations (VCSEs), childcare settings, and sports clubs in their arrangements.
Sport and physical activity organisations can be also included in Local Authority multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) on a case-by-case basis where that agency or individual can contribute to the risk assessment and management of a MAPPA offender.
Some sport and physical activity organisations are involved in providing activities for early years children and Working together states that LSPs should also including VCSEs, childcare settings, and sports clubs in their published arrangements to safeguard these children.