Safeguarding in community sport and physical activity

Moving from policies to people

Dive into our latest podcast where we explore the vital role of safeguarding in community sports and physical activities. The discussion features three guests: Anita Stewart, Sport Welfare Officer from Active Norfolk, John Downes, Designated Safeguard Lead from StreetGames, and Ross Podyma, Strategic Director from Sporting Communities. They share insights on the challenges and solutions in safeguarding within community sports. 

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In this episode, we cover: 

• volunteer confidence: emphasising the need for training and support to make sure volunteers are confident in safeguarding practices
• community engagement: highlighting the importance of local partnerships and community involvement in creating safe environments 
• cultural shift: advocating for a shift from compliance-based safeguarding to a more integrated, welfare-focused approach that puts children first 
• youth involvement: stressing the importance of involving young people in decision-making and creating environments where they feel safe and valued 

Anita Stewart: "I went into an organisation and did a forum with some young people from a disability group in Norfolk, and we were asking them what made them feel safe and what safeguarding meant to them. A young person said, 'when I think of safeguarding, I think of folders, risk assessments and bits of paper.' And then we asked them what makes them feel safe? She said 'people make me feel safe'. And from that we came up with 'Let's move safeguarding from policies to people'."  

Can’t see the player? You can also listen to this podcast on our Audioboom channel.

Featuring:

• Liza Ware – Host, NSPCC CPSU Senior Safeguarding Consultant  
• Anita Stewart – Sport Welfare Officer, Active Norfolk 
• John Downes – Designated Safeguarding Lead, StreetGames 
• Ross Podyma – Strategic Director, Sporting Communities