YSF Safeguarding and Welfare News – July 2025

The school summer holidays have now begun and for some children this will mean an increase in their participation in sport and physical activity. Some clubs and groups will be putting on additional summer camps or HAF (holiday activities and food) sessions, and seeing child participants on a more frequent basis.

As a member of staff or volunteer at a sport or activity this may mean that, while they are away from school, you are the only professional involved in a child’s life. Do children who attend your club know who to go to for support, and do your staff know what to do if a child discloses a worry? If you need further guidance on this please get in touch.

You can find useful helplines and websites, including the number of your local duty social care, on this webpage

Sharing Good Practice – Trauma Informed Sports Coaching

Leeds LDM Basketball began its journey to becoming trauma informed three years ago when a new volunteer started with experience in this area. LDM were keen to explore how being trauma informed could enhance what they already do for participants. It is now one of their three core priorities.

But what does that mean?

Over 50% of UK youths are experiencing, or have experienced, trauma, with many not getting the support they need to recover, and this can be a barrier to their ability to engage and thrive. Becoming trauma informed not only makes it easier for participants to join in and do well, it can give them the support they need and deserve while they are having fun.

Safe Sport Day 2025

On Safe Sport Day, come and join the YSF Sport Welfare Officer team - Douglas, Measha and Nicola - to find out how they can support your club or activity with all things safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare. 

The session will be informal and you'll have the opportunity to have a chat and ask questions. It will take place via Microsoft Teams at 12pm on Friday 8 August.

Please sign up.

Sun Safety Training and Resources

 With skin cancer cases rising and outdoor sport thriving, it’s vital that communities understand how, why and when to sun protect. Sunguarding is a welfare issue — and sunburn can become a reputational issue. 

These statistics, taken from the Melanoma Fund’s recent Sunguarding survey speak for themselves. Did you know:

• 72% of coaches and outdoor activity leaders have never received sun safety training
• Only 16% of organisations have a sun protection policy
• Just 4% believe children truly understand the importance of sun safety
• Over two-thirds have reported sun or heat-related incidents, including cancelled sessions, sunburned children and heat exhaustion

Buddle Animation 

In collaboration with the Ann Craft Trust and CPSU, Buddle have created a new animated video which explores the key principles of safeguarding, including:

• the importance of putting safeguarding at the heart of an organisation’s operations
• the five shared principles of safeguarding
• the differences between safeguarding children and adults
• how to appropriately and effectively deal with a safeguarding concern.

You can watch the video here.

Buddle have also updated their welfare officer role description, which outlines the desired qualities, skills and the main tasks of a welfare officer.