Beyond Sport Summit

BeyondSportSummitBeyond Sport Summit in Johannesburg the international safeguarding children in sport working group launched a set of safeguards designed to make sport safer for children. Staff and volunteers who provide sports activities can end up being a real lifeline for children – which is why is it essential that all sports organisations have safeguarding measures in place and most importantly a team of people on-board that feel enable to take action and do so willingly. These new safeguards set out the key steps that every organisation can take – right from the recruitment stage to developing policies and procedures to ensure children’s safety well-being and protection across all sports.

 

International Safeguards for Children in Sport - Beyond Sport Summit Working Group Document

 

The eight safeguards are:

  1. Developing a Policy
  2. Procedures for Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
  3. Advice and Support
  4. Minimising Risks to Children
  5. Guidelines for Behaviour
  6. Recruiting, Training and Communicating
  7. Working with Partners
  8. Monitoring and Evaluating.
     

Overall the Safeguards aim to:

  • Help create a safe sporting environment for children wherever they participate and at whatever level
  • Provide guidance to sports providers so they can ensure organisations they work with know how to protect children
  • Promote good practice for sporting organisations to follow and challenge practice that is harmful to children
  • Provide clarity on safeguarding children so all those involved in sport know how to keep children safe