YSF Safeguarding and Welfare News - August 2026

Welcome to our August newsletter

As the summer holidays draw to a close and the new academic year starts, now is a good time to check through all your policies and procedures to make sure you have everything in place and up-to-date. If you’re unsure, you could:

·        Check with your National Governing Body, if you’re affiliated.

·        Find model policies and guidance documents at NSPCC  Sport

·        Get lots of information and resources from Buddle.

·        Have a chat with your local Sport Welfare Officer.

Find out more about the free support available from the Sport Welfare Officer team in this video.

Support in Kirklees

 Measha and Nicola had a great time at the Kirklees Sport Welfare Marketplace event which was held at the Accu Stadium in Huddersfield back in June.

We were able to produce a fantastic video which highlights a number of safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare services available to those based in Kirklees and beyond. You can watch the video here.

We’ve also produced a PDF directory of services. If you’d like a copy of this emailing, or printed copies dropping off at your club, please contact us.

Information from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

 From 1 September 2026, the law about regulated activity with children is changing. The current rule about the supervision of paid staff and volunteers carrying out specific activities with children will be removed from the legal definition.

This means some people will be in regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026 when they were not before, because they were sufficiently supervised by someone else. This will apply if they do the work often enough, or overnight.

Join the DBS Regional Outreach Team to find out more about this change and how it may impact on your organisation.

They are holding a series of information sessions, you can register for any of the sessions by clicking the links below: 

• Tuesday 8th September - 2pm-3pm - Click to register - Changes to supervision, what it means for roles in the Voluntary Sector
• Wednesday 16th September - 2:15pm-3:15pm - Click to register  - Changes to supervision, what does it mean for my organisation? (suitable for all sectors).

Upcoming Training and Events

Event: Y&H Sport Welfare Connect – Autism and practical strategies for coaches and clubs

When: Wednesday 16 September, 6.30pm to 8pm

Where: Online, via Microsoft Teams

Cost:    FREE

For: Anyone with an interest in safeguarding and welfare in sport

Book: https://yorkshire.sportsuite.co.uk/forms/view/7704

We’re delighted to be joined by Angie from Matthew’s Hub, a support charity for Autism and ADHD based in Hull and East Riding. This is one of two sessions we’ll be running that focus on supporting neurodivergent participants.

Event: Y&H Sport Welfare Connect – Developing a Listening Culture

When: Monday 5 October, 6pm to 7.30pm

Where: Online, via Microsoft Teams

Cost:    FREE

For: Anyone with an interest in safeguarding and welfare in sport

Book: https://yorkshire.sportsuite.co.uk/forms/view/7743  

Our usual quarterly network meeting will cover how to develop a listening culture within your club or organisation. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and take part in discussions.  

Event: Y&H Sport Welfare Connect – Beyond the Comeback

When: Tuesday 10 November, 6pm to 7.30pm

Where: Online, via Microsoft Teams

Cost:    FREE

For: Anyone with an interest in safeguarding and welfare in sport

Book: https://yorkshire.sportsuite.co.uk/forms/view/7760

Thomas Berry is kindly joining us to talk about his experience of the hidden side of sports injury.

Injury is more than just a physical setback. Beyond The Comeback explores the often-overlooked mental and emotional impact of sports injury for young athletes, including identity, isolation, confidence, uncertainty and the pressure to keep moving forward in an age of social media.

Grounded in lived experience and personal insight, the session looks at what injured athletes can experience away from the pitch, while providing practical tools and guidance for coaches, parents and others supporting athletes through recovery.

The session aims to create greater understanding of the psychological side of injury and help build more supportive sporting environments where athletes feel understood, included and supported throughout their recovery.

Nicola Holmes
Senior Sport Welfare Officer
Leeds, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire
07714 733650
nicola.holmes@yorkshiresport.org

Douglas Blackwood
Sport Welfare Officer
South Yorkshire
07702 557007
douglas.blackwood@yorkshiresport.org

Measha Harris
Sport Welfare Officer
West Yorkshire excluding Leeds
07714 733636
measha.harris@yorkshiresport.org

Adam Fuller
Designated Safeguarding Lead
07702 557008
adam.fuller@yorkshiresport.org

Becca Gallagher 
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
07964 209314
becca.gallagher@yorkshiresport.org