Sport Welfare Officers
Across England, sports clubs and organisations are being supported by a new network of Sport Welfare Officers from Active Partnerships, funded by Sport England and the National Lottery. These roles were created as part of Sport England’s response to the Whyte Review.
Safeguarding Self-Assessment and Audits Safeguarding Partners and Other Contacts Training Take the Club welfare officer survey
The Sport Welfare Officers are working with National Governing Bodies and key partners such as the Child Protection in Sport Unit and Ann Craft Trust to develop a new, local approach to assisting and supporting club welfare officers to create safe, inclusive environments for children and adults. They can provide support with:
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Support – they can help club welfare officers to create a safer culture within their organisation.
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Training – they can deliver or facilitate training and workshops for staff, volunteers, parents and participants, in person or online on a variety of sport-specific and safeguarding topics.
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Critical friend – they can help with self-assessments to ensure clubs are meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements set out by National Governing Bodies.
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Signposting – they can direct clubs to appropriate services and sources of support.
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Networks – they can make connections for people to share news, information and best practice.
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Events – they can attend events to raise awareness of safeguarding and wellbeing amongst participants, parents and carers.
The Sport Welfare Officers are unable to advise on specific safeguarding concerns. If you are a member of staff or volunteer at a sports club and you have a safeguarding concern please report this to your National Governing Body as per their guidance and your safeguarding policy.
Find out more about the Sport Welfare Officers by watching this short video:
Yorkshire Sport Foundation Sport Welfare Team
Nicola Holmes
Senior Welfare Officer for Leeds, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire
07714 733650
nicola.holmes@yorkshiresport.org
Douglas Blackwood
Sport Welfare Officer for South Yorkshire
07702 557007
douglas.blackwood@yorkshiresport.org
Measha Harris
Sport Welfare Officer for West Yorkshire
07714 733636
measha.harris@yorkshiresport.org
You can add Nicola, Douglas and Measha's contact details directly to your phone by scanning the QR codes below.
Yorkshire and Humber Sport Welfare Connect
The team at Yorkshire Sport Foundation work closely with their Sport Welfare colleagues at North Yorkshire Sport and Active Humber. Together, they host the Sport Welfare Connect network event which takes place quarterly. This is an opportunity for Club Welfare Officers and those with an interest in safeguarding and welfare in sport to learn and share good practice. To find out about the next session and book a place please email nicola.holmes@yorkshiresport.org
If you’re based in North Yorkshire or the Humber your Sport Welfare Officers are:
Laura Harris
Covering North Yorkshire and York
01423 637666
l.harris@northyorkshiresport.co.uk
Mary Smith
Covering Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire, and North-East Lincolnshire
07903 357141
msmith@activehumber.co.uk
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