Safeguarding

Everyone has a right to feel safe, whether you are a coach, volunteer, or participant. Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire want to ensure all clubs provide a safe environment to all children and adults participating. This page provides key information on safeguarding children and adults in Clubs.

Safeguarding in Sport

Safeguarding in sport is the process of protecting children and adults from harm by providing a safe space in which to play sport and be active.

Anyone involved in organising, delivering or supervising sport and physical activity has a responsibility for safeguarding.

Understanding what safeguarding is and having protocols in place will help embed an ethos where safeguarding becomes everyone's responsibility.

Safeguarding Children

Each club should have a Safeguarding Children Policy which they have adopted and implemented at their club. The club should identify a Welfare Officer and they should receive adequate training and information about the role they are undertaking and their responsibilities.

For further information on safeguarding children in clubs see the Club Matters Safeguarding and Welfare.

If you think a child is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999.

It's important to remember that the welfare of the child is of paramount concern. However, it is not up to you to decide whether or not a child has been abused, but to report concerns appropriately.

You can contact:

  • NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
  • Child Protection in Sport Unit - 0116 366 5580
  • Your National Governing Body - refer to their safeguarding procedures about who to report the concerns to.
  • Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire - Contact Lorea Sarobe: Email: l.sarobe@worc.ac.uk Telephone: 01905 542031

For further information on reporting a concern and guidance click here.

To find information on putting safeguards in place see the Child Protection in Sport page here.

Other Resources:

Safeguarding Adults

Each club should adopt and implement a Safeguarding Adults policy. The club should identify a Welfare Officer and this person should receive adequate training and information about the role and responsibilities (this could be a combined child and adult role, depending on the needs of the club).

When safeguarding adults there not only needs to be focus on creating processes and systems to safeguard, there also needs to be a culture that consults with adults on every decision that affects them. Adults can of course make their own decisions, so it's important to keep them well informed.

For further information on safeguarding adults in clubs see the Club Matters Safeguarding and Welfare.

If you think an adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999. Wherever possible, let the adult know what you're doing.

If the adult is not in immediate danger or injured, wherever possible you should discuss your concerns with the adult and look together at what should happen next. You can contact:

  • Your National Governing Body - refer to their safeguarding procedures about who to report the concerns to.
  • Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire - Contact Lorea Sarobe: Email: l.sarobe@worc.ac.uk Telephone: 01905 542031
  • Ann Craft Trust - 0115 951 5400. They also have an extensive range of resources and help for safeguarding adults on their website.

For further information on reporting a concern and guidance click here.

Other resources:

Safeguarding Training

Current Workshops and Training Opportunities:

Lorea Sarobe

Lorea Sarobe

Director of Physical Activity and Wellbeing

  • Physical Activity and Health
  • Oversight of Adult Participation Programmes
  • Oversight of Children and Young People Programmes
  • Lead Safeguarding Officer
Mobile
07766 697742
Kerrie O'Mahony

Kerrie O'Mahony

Project Manager (Children & Young People)

  • Children and Young People Programmes
  • Virtual Schools
  • Strategic Lead for the School Games
  • Physical Activity and Health
  • This Girl Can Programme
  • Active Lives
  • Safeguarding Officer
Mobile
07766 611946
Website
https://www.activehw.co.uk/cyp