YSF Safeguarding and Welfare News - Feb 2025
Welcome to our February newsletter.
Please pass this newsletter on to your Club Welfare Officer and safeguarding staff.
Sport Welfare OfficersSelf-Assessment and AuditsSafeguarding Partners and Other ContactsTraining
The Sport Welfare Officer Network has now been in place for over a year and our colleagues from across England have been doing some great work with clubs, National Governing Bodies, and with Local Authority partners. To find out more about some of these projects look for the hashtags #SportWelfare and #ActivePartnerships on social media.
Almost 40 National Governing Bodies are now onboard with the Network and are welcoming our support with their affiliated clubs. Some are actively promoting our work in their forums, newsletters and guidance. Is your National Governing Body one of them?
If you’d like to find out how the three of us can support you, please have a look at our webpage and get in touch.
The MBIMB Safeguarding Conference takes place on 25 March and we’re delighted that Douglas will be one of the speakers!
This full-day conference will be held at Redfearns Sports Ground in Barnsley and the ticket price includes lunch. It’s aimed at anyone with an interest in safeguarding children, including parents.
Douglas isn’t the only speaker from the sport industry - former England and Premier League footballer, Dr Paul Stewart, will be talking about tackling the complexities of child safeguarding in youth sports, including how power dynamics create vulnerabilities and the proactive steps needed to protect young athletes.
You can find out more about the conference and purchase tickets here.
National Child Exploitation Awareness Day
Do you know how to spot the signs of exploitation in children and young people? #CEADay25 takes place on 18 March and the NWG Network are encouraging everyone to think, spot, and speak out against abuse.
Find out how you can get involved and access resources here.
If you’re concerned about exploitation taking place in your community then please get in touch. We can come and speak to your coaches and volunteers, or parents and carers. We can also link you to other local organisations who can help.
Sharing Good Practice – Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts
Over the last few months, we’ve been working in partnership with the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts (SCIMA). They’re a fantastic organisation, funded by the National Lottery and developed in consultation with Sport England, martial arts governing bodies and others.
Organisations, clubs or individuals who wish to sign up for the code have to go through a checklist to ensure all relevant documents and processes are in place. Your evidence is then uploaded, and if you meet the required standards, you receive the mark. The SCIMA website lists all the clubs who have attained the mark so parents and carers can be assured the club is committed to safeguarding.
Patrick Powders of Leeds Samurai Martial Arts has recently been through the sign-up process. Patrick says “It was straightforward. I’d had an initial conversation with Nicola, Sport Welfare Officer at Yorkshire Sport, who had given me some guidance around the documentation. Once I was ready, I uploaded my evidence, supported by the team at SCIMA, and I’m delighted to have achieved the mark. It’s important to me to demonstrate the club takes safety and welfare seriously.”
You can find out which clubs in your area have attained the mark by looking on the SCIMA club finder.
If you’d like to share good practice that’s happening in your club or activity then please let us know!
Free Training and Networking Events
Welcoming Refugees in Your Club
When: Tuesday 25 February – 6.30pm to 7.30pm
How: Microsoft Teams
Who: Aimed at committee members, or those able to influence change within the club
What: Find out more about City of Sanctuary. Hear from the first Women’s Football Club of Sanctuary - Holbeck Moor FC. Get practical information on action you can take to enable people seeking sanctuary to participate in sport.
Book a place here
Child Exploitation Workshop
When: Thursday 6 March – 6.30pm to 8.30pm
How: Microsoft Teams
Who: Anyone working within a sport club or organisation, also suitable for parents and carers.
What: Delivered by the Children’s Society and Ivison Trust. Across the country, young people are being manipulated, sexually abused, forced to launder money and deal drugs. Exploitation isn't obvious but it happens everywhere. Sports volunteers, coaches, and parents/carers are the eyes and ears on the ground and are often well placed to spot the signs that something might not be right for a child attending the sports club.
Book a place here
Sport Welfare Connect – Mental Health and Wellbeing
When: Wednesday 2 April – 6pm to 7.30pm
How: Microsoft Teams
Who: Aimed at Club Welfare Officers but open to anyone with an interest in safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing in sport and physical activity.
What: This is an opportunity to learn more about looking after the mental health and emotional wellbeing of staff, volunteers, members and participants at your club. Papyrus (suicide prevention charity) will be joining us and presenting.
Book a place here
Active Bystander Training
When: On a time and date to suit you
How: In person – we come to you
Who: This can be delivered to staff and volunteers, or participants at your club. Maximum 20 people per session.
What: Have you ever witnessed an incident taking place and wondered whether or not you should step in and do something? This workshop will help you to recognise bullying, abusive or discriminatory behaviour, and equip you with the skills needed to safely intervene.
Please contact nicola.holmes@yorkshiresport.org for more information or to book a session.
Useful resources
- Ramadan begins at the end of February. Do you know how best to support your Muslim athletes whilst they are fasting? Some National Governing Bodies, including England Athletics, England Squash and The FA have previously written articles and guidance around this. Here’s some further information from the Association for Physical Education.
- Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place from 24 February. Beat provides helplines for people of all ages, offering support and information.
- Young Carers Action Day takes place on 12 March. Do you have any children or young people at your club or activity who help a relative with extra household chores, medication or personal care, for example? Get in touch with us if you want to learn more about young carers or to find your local support provider.
Meet your Sport Welfare team
Nicola Holmes
Senior Sport Welfare Officer
07714 733650
nicola.holmes@yorkshiresport.org
Measha Harris
Sport Welfare Officer for West Yorkshire
07714 733636
measha.harris@yorkshiresport.org
Douglas Blackwood
Sport Welfare Officer for South Yorkshire
07702 557007
douglas.blackwood@yorkshiresport.org
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