Knowledge Hub: Safeguarding
Whether you are participating in sport or physical activity at a local club, you are a volunteer, an elite athlete or a spectator, no one involved in sport and physical activity should ever have to worry about abuse or harassment.
Discover resources to develop your knowledge of safeguarding in sport on our knowledge hub.
If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult in a sporting or physical activity environment please use the contact details below.
What does Safeguarding mean?
Safeguarding refers to the process of protecting children and adults to provide safe environment and effective care.
This includes all procedures designed to prevent harm to anyone from any background.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
It includes:
• Protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment
• Preventing harm to children’s and vulnerable adults health or development
• Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
Useful contacts:
Lincolnshire Children’s Services
Day time: 01522 782 111
Emergency (out of hours): 01522 782 333
Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP), Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB), Safer Lincolnshire Partnership (SLP) and the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership recognise the unique role of Safeguarding Officers/Leads in the voluntary and third sector.
As organisational leaders, their responsibility is to ensure that they:
- Provide a safe and trusted environment. Safeguarding involves a duty of care to everyone who comes into contact with a charity, not just vulnerable beneficiaries like children and young people.
- Set an organisational culture that prioritises safeguarding, so it is safe for people to report incidents and concerns in the knowledge they will be dealt with appropriately.
- Have adequate safeguarding policies, procedures and measures to protect people and make sure these are made public, reviewed regularly and kept up to date.
- Handle incidents as they arise. Report them to the relevant authorities including the police and the Charity Commission. Learn from these mistakes and put in place the relevant mechanisms to stop them from happening again
Website: lincolnshire.gov.uk
If you need any more information about the LSCP please email lscp@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Follow their Facebook Page here.
LADO – Local Authority Designated Officer
Any National Governing Body safeguarding leads looking to contact one of Lincolnshire County Council’s Local Area Designated Officer’s (LADO’s) can do so by calling:
Lincolnshire County Council Children’s Services LADO team on 01522 554 674.
Active Lincolnshire
Lead Safeguarding Officer Gemma Skaley – call 01522 730 325 or email Gemma.Skaley@activelincolnshire.com
Lincolnshire Police
- Lincoln 01522 885 316/7
- Gainsborough 01427 816 316/7
- Sleaford 01529 302 420 Ext 3873
- Grantham 01476 403 316/7
- Spalding 01775 722 233 Ext 2655/6
- Boston 01205 312 241/2
- Skegness 01754 764 316/7
DS A/D Supt of the PPU:
D Supt Jon McAdam
Head of Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit
Tel: 01522 947 351
Childline
0800 1111
NSPCC
0808 800 5000
Child Protection in Sport Unit
0116 234 7289
Domestic Violence Helpline
01872 225 629
Information and Advice for Clubs & Coaches
Every sport and physical activity organisation is responsible for safeguarding their members. By having the right safeguarding practices in place, you can help protect the children and adults taking part in your activity, ensuring safe access for everyone.
As a club or coach you have a responsibility to act if you have any concerns about the behaviour of an adult or a child towards another child or vulnerable adult.
All adults, regardless of age, ability or disability, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status have the right to be protected from abuse and poor practice and to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.
You should always take immediate action by reporting your concerns if you are told by a child or vulnerable adult, or have reason to suspect, that abuse has or is taking place.
Report to your club welfare officer or contact our Lead Safeguarding Officer Gemma Skaley.
Things to remember:
- Clubs should have a dedicated welfare officer to look after safeguarding
- Video can be an excellent coaching tool, but the correct permission must be sought. Photography and videoing must comply with the club or organisation’s child protection policy, and you must always have informed consent
- All clubs and coaches should have valid and up-to-date insurance
- Clubs must ensure their coaches act appropriately for the age, ability and number of players, and any contact must be appropriate
- Clubs and coaches should be aware of all the participants’ medical needs and make sure the session takes place in a safe environment, with risk assessments undertaken for both the facility and the activity
- Qualifications and Training need to be of an appropriate standard. For example Level 2 coaches should be leading sessions and level 1s must assist a more experienced coach
- Coaches should also be aware of all the participants medical needs and ensure the session is taking place in a safe environment with risk assessments undertaken for both the facility and the activity
To help ensure your club is running to the highest standards, please consult the below safeguarding resources.
Resources
We have collated resources and useful links for you to access to ensure you are providing the safest experience for anyone taking part in sport and physical activity.
Safeguarding: Sport England The basics
- Safeguarding Adults in Sport
- Safeguarding adults in sport resource pack
- The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board
- Anti-bullying support
Children & young people
- Safeguarding Children in Sport
- Safeguarding and child protection practices
- Safeguarding leaflet – A Guide for Parents and Carers
- Anti-bullying support
- Childline
Club & coach
Online safety, social media & photography
Organisations that help support vulnerable groups
Safeguarding training
Visit our courses page to find see our upcoming courses, alternatively the UK Coaching website lists all courses available across the country.
In particular you may be interested in:
Useful advice and tips to help support Club Welfare Officers. Look out for more entries coming soon.
Club email accounts Do's and Don'ts
Learn best practice for club email accounts for safeguarding.
Our safeguarding policy
Follow the link to view Active Lincolnshire's safeguarding policy
