Working together to safeguard children

Working together to safeguard children is statutory guidance for organisations that work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It’s produced by the Department for Education (DfE) and outlines what organisations in England must do to safeguard children and young people.

This guidance applies to all organisations working with children and includes:

• those living with their birth or extended family
• those in kinship care, including special guardianship
• adopted and looked after children in foster or residential settings
• unborn children where there are concerns

Author: Department for Education
Published: March 2015, last updated March 2026

Download working together to safeguard children 2026

How Working Together relates to sport

Working Together expects all organisations that work with children and young people to have the following:

• Safeguards in place - this includes:
  • Safeguarding policy and clear procedures
  • an appointed safeguarding lead
  • safer recruitment process for all staff and volunteers
  • listening to children and taking their concerns or worries seriously
  • reporting process for all concerns and whistleblowing
• Multi agency working - sport and activity providers are expected to work with other organisations such as local safeguarding partners, the police and social care, to share information and help keep children safe.
• Section 11 of the Children’s Act 2004 – places a statutory duty on certain organisations and individuals in England to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Most sports organisations are not directly subject to Section 11. But if your organisation works with children and young people, Working Together 2026 makes it clear that its safeguarding expectations apply to sports organisations and to all organisations and agencies that have functions relating to children. This means your organisation should have effective safeguarding arrangements to put children’s welfare first, and work with other agencies where needed to help keep children safe.

Changes in the 2026 edition that relate to sport

Identifying, understanding and challenging racism and discrimination

Racism and discrimination have no place in sport and should be challenged as soon as you are aware of it. Your organisation should be a safe and welcoming space for all children, where individuality and difference are celebrated. 

Working Together says:

‘Working Together 2026 strengthens expectations that organisations working with children create inclusive environments and challenge racism and discrimination. In sport, this means making sure all children feel safe, welcomed and respected, and responding appropriately to concerns or incidents.’

See our diversity and inclusion topic page and our codes of conduct for further related guidance.

Children don’t leave domestic abuse at the front door

People working with children should recognise the wide-ranging impact that domestic abuse – including abuse within their own intimate relationships (teenage relationship abuse) – has on children and young people. Police have additional responsibilities to tell a child’s school if they believe the child has experienced domestic abuse.

Consideration of children experiencing simultaneous harms or multiple harms

Children involved in sport and physical activity may have experienced harm in other contexts, such as home, school and the community, that may impact them or be talked about in their sporting environment. Sport can provide a safe place for children to talk about their concerns. Sports organisations should work together and share information and consider the environment of the child. 

For further information, see our contextual safeguarding guidance, supporting children living with trauma, information sharing and case data collection research project.

Online harm and harm experienced in person

Your organisation's safeguarding responsibilities should continue into the online world as well as in person. Your organisation should have an online safety and social media policy and an acceptable use statement for online platforms in place to help to keep your young members and staff safe from harm.

For further information, see our online safety and social media topic page and our codes of conduct.