Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be using its social media channels to highlight the importance of keeping children safe in sport during a national campaign.

Between October 7th and October 11th, organisations across the country will be taking part in Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week, sharing resources and guidance for parents and carers.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit-led campaign takes place all year round, with this week in October aiming to highlight the campaign so that parents and carers can feel confident about playing their part.

At Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, sport welfare and safeguarding support is part of our core offer to individuals, clubs and organisations in the sector across both counties.

Earlier this year, Sport England launched its Sport Welfare Officer network, created to support National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and their local clubs to promote good practice and safer sport for all.

Speaking about the campaign, Emily Griffiths, Sport Welfare Lead at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: "Every child has the right to feel safe in sport and have the chance to thrive; and to do this the physical activity sector should be encouraged to put this to the forefront of everything they do.

"At Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, we work hard to support, signpost and provide guidance for individuals and groups, to ensure that a safe and effective culture can be embedded within their programme, providing the best environment for children to be active.

"This campaign is important for us to not only share best practice and resources, but also to highlight the importance that this is kept at the centre of attention all year round, ensuring that the safety of children in sport is not forgotten."

Lorea Sarobe, Director of Physical Activity and Wellbeing, and Lead Safeguarding Officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "To create an environment of enjoyment and positive experiences for children and young people to be active, we must ensure the activities are delivered in a safe sporting community.

"Keeping children safe in sport is responsibility of all those involved in the delivery of sessions and clubs; parents, carers, coaches, volunteers, and the children themselves.

"The focus this year is to have an open and inclusive culture around safeguarding parents can raise concerns and have honest conversations about keeping children active and having fun in a safe environment.

"Please visit our workshop and courses page to find out about opportunities to expand your knowledge and awareness on safeguarding and protecting children in sport."

Throughout the campaign, CPSU information, and localised information about our work around keeping children safe in sport, will be shared across the Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire social media channels.

Stephen Brewster, Chief Executive Officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "This is an important campaign for us, as every child should be able to feel safe whilst enjoying the sports that they love.

"As a member of a network of 43 Active Partnerships, we believe that the power of sport and physical activity can transform lives, and it is often that a love for sport and physical activity develops at a young age.

"I encourage anyone seeking guidance around this campaign to visit the Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire social media platforms and get in touch with us for advice and support around sport welfare and safeguarding."

To learn more about the Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week campaign, visit https://thecpsu.org.uk/upcoming-events/2024-10-07-keeping-your-child-safe-in-sport-week/.

For safeguarding training opportunities, visit https://www.activehw.co.uk/safeguarding-training.

To access the CPSU's E-Learning Course, visit https://thecpsu.org.uk/parents/keeping-your-child-safe-in-sport-e-learning-course/.