Safeguarding for parents and carers

For parents, choosing a club is about more than the sport and the training schedule.

It is about being confident that the club and coaches provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. Somewhere children and young people can have fun and be their best.

Demonstrating their commitment to child safety

A child safe sport environment means putting clear and practical safeguards in place. Also making sure everyone understands them. 

Below are the core elements every club or sport should have, and what they look like in practice.

Child Safe Commitment Statement

A Child Safe Commitment Statement is a public declaration of your club or sport’s promise to keep children and young people safe.

• What it is: A short, visible statement (on their website, at the venue, in registration and recruitment materials) that explains how they prioritise children and young people and how they uphold their rights, safety and wellbeing.
• Why it matters: It tells families, athletes and the community that child safety is a priority and sets the tone for their approach to safeguarding.

Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

This policy is the backbone of your child safe approach.

• What it is: A clear document that sets out how the sport provides a safe environment for children and young people. It guides appropriate behaviour for everyone involved – staff, volunteers, coaches, officials and athletes. It clearly describes behaviours that are not acceptable.
• Why it matters: It gives everyone a shared understanding of expectations. It makes it easier to identify and respond to unsafe behaviour

Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct turns values into practical, everyday behaviour.

• What it is: A set of rules and standards that describe what people working with children and young people must and must not do. This usually covers communication, physical contact, online behaviour, boundaries, and respect.
• Why it matters: It helps adults understand their responsibilities and gives children, young people and families a clear reference point if something doesn’t feel right.

Complaints and reporting

Safe sports don’t just say they care about safety, they show it in how they respond to concerns.

• What it is: A transparent, consistent process for raising and managing safeguarding complaints or concerns. This includes clear information on who to talk to, how to make a complaint, what happens next, and how privacy and safety are protected.
• Accessible to children and young people: The safest sports make sure their complaints process is accessible and understandable for children and young people of all ages. For example, using simple language, multiple ways to report, and trusted contact people, such as a child safe officer or member protection information officer.

Listening and acting on feedback

Safe clubs don’t assume they know everything they ask, listen and improve.

• What it is: Providing regular, genuine opportunities for children, young people and families to share their views and experiences (e.g. surveys, check-ins, suggestion boxes, youth voice groups).
• Why it matters: When clubs actively seek input and act on it, they show they are serious about keeping children and young people safe and continuously improving their environment.

How the club informs children and young people about acceptable behaviour

Children and young people need clear, age-appropriate information about what behaviour is acceptable and what is not.

• What it is: Clubs should explain, in simple and accessible ways, the behaviours expected from adults, peers and parents and spectators. This may include posters, induction sessions, team meetings, child friendly codes of conduct, or eLearning resources
• Why it matters: When children and young people understand their rights and know what safe behaviour looks like, they are more confident to speak up if something feels wrong. It also reinforces consistent standards across the club.

Taking time to ask about how your sport club and coaches keep children and young people safe is essential. 

Ask your club these questions to make sure the club is committed to child safety:

• Does the club have a Child Safeguarding Policy that’s easy to find? How does the club put that policy into action?
• Are there other safety policies – for example, complaints, photography, social media, codes of conduct?
• Is there a Child Safe Officer or Member Protection Officer?
• Are background checks done on staff and volunteers?
• Does the club ask for written consent for things like participation, photos or videos, and travel?

Club processes and communication

Ask these questions about club processes and communication:

• Is there a clear way to report concerns or complaints?
• How does the club communicate with parents and carers?
• How does the club supervise children during activities?
• Does the club ask for feedback from families and members?
• Is the club’s communication child-friendly and easy to understand?
• Does the club have dedicated first aid officers and procedures in place?

Learning and awareness

Check how the club supports learning and awareness:

• Do they teach children about their right to feel safe?
• Do staff and volunteers get ongoing training on child safety?
• Does the club listen to children and young people and involve them in decisions?