SF Safeguarding and Welfare News – August 2025

It’s almost time for the new school year to begin and some young people will be joining out-of-school activities for the first time. 

If you’re a parent or carer, do you know the questions you should be asking of clubs and activity providers? The following are a good start:

• Can I see your safeguarding policy?
• Who is your Welfare Officer?
• What qualifications do your staff/coaches have?
• Are there codes of conduct for staff/members/participants?
• Do you follow safer recruitment procedures?
• How do you promote welfare and safeguarding?

If you’re an activity provider, are you able to answer these questions if a parent asks? If you need support with this please get in touch with your local Sport Welfare Officer, details at the bottom of this email. 

Club Support this month:

Over the past month, the Sport Welfare Officer team has been out working with clubs across South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. We have supported clubs with:

• Scheduling UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children training courses to upskill their staff and volunteers.
• Sharing information on the City of Sanctuary’s Club of Sanctuary movement to support the club’s work with refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Raising a club’s queries with their National Governing Body on their behalf.
• Adapting a safeguarding policy to meet the club’s needs.
• Delivering Active Bystander training so participants can intervene in situations safely and appropriately.
• Linking Club Welfare Officers into our wider Sport Welfare Connect network.

Our ongoing work aims to ensure clubs have the knowledge and support they need to create safe and inclusive environments for everyone involved in sport. If you would like similar support, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us — we're here to help

Keeping your Child Safe in Sport Week – 6 to 12 October

One of the most important dates in the safeguarding in sport calendar is fast approaching – Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week. Although we’re focussed on safeguarding in sport all year round, we use this as an opportunity to shout about what we do and raise awareness of its importance.

This year the theme is ‘Play Your Part’, and the NSPCC are asking parents to get involved. 

If you work or volunteer for a sports club or activity provider then take a look at this page for information on how to promote the campaign. 

If you’re a parent or carer of a child who plays sport then please find more information on this page.

You can also watch this video for more advice on keeping your child safe in sport.

Coach Development Week – 20 to 24 October

This is a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge and make your practice more inclusive.

Throughout the week there will be training and workshops, with support and resources to help coaches from across the Sport and Physical Activity sector along their coaching journey. Information is aimed at coaches from all sports and activities, focusing on generic skills rather than the technical aspects of a particular sport. 

Among other things, topics include:

• Child Centred Coaching
• Neurodiversity in Sport
• Creating Inclusive Environments 

Further details and booking information to follow soon. If you’d like to be the first to hear more, then please email Nicola Holmes.

Around the Districts

Barnsley CVS
The friendly team at Barnsley CVS are holding a coffee and cake session for voluntary and community groups to find out more about the support they can offer. No need to book, just turn up to Houghton Road Community Centre on Tuesday 23 September between 11am and 3pm.

Bradford Prevent Summit
This takes place on 25 September from 10am to 1pm at The Grange Interlink Centre. It’s aimed at ensuring community and voluntary groups understand the risks around extremism and radicalisation in our society. Book a place here.

Leeds #JogOn Campaign
On Monday 29 September join the Darker Nights webinar which empowers women with practical advice and resources to feel safer while running at night. It starts at 6pm. Find out more and book a place here.

Wakefield Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is Friday 10 October and the Sport Welfare team will be joining Turning Point and other organisations at WX in Wakefield from 10am to 4pm. Come and see us to learn more about mental health and emotional wellbeing.