Support Safeguarding Children in Sport
In the wake of the tragic reports that have emerged this week of child sex abuse within football, it has never been so critical that the measures in place to safeguard children in sport are reinforced to ensure that young people playing sport are protected at all cost.
At the 2014 Beyond Sport Summit, a group of organisations working in sport, child protection and international development came together to explore how to make sport could be made safer for children around the world. Forming the International Safeguarding Children in Sport Working Group, they detailed eight elements that should be put in place for any organisation working with children in sport:
- Developing Your Policy
- Procedures for Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
- Advice and Support
- Minimising Risks to Children
- Guidelines for Behaviour
- Recruiting, Training and Communicating
- Working with Partners
- Monitoring and Evaluation
This year at the Beyond Sport Summit 2016, the International Safeguarding Children in Sport team developed this further with the launch of ‘The Implementation Guide,’ a guide that helps organisations work toward applying these safeguards.
Access the Implementation Guide here
Since launching in 2014, over 80 organisations have confirmed their commitment to work towards the Safeguards, ensuring that sport fulfils its duty to protect children taking part, and also provides a significant opportunity for children to understand their rights and become safer in their lives outside sport.
Learn more about the International Safeguards for Children in Sport
This year at the Beyond Sport Awards, the UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award was awarded to the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit for their pioneering work over 15 years, in partnership with sport and statutory agencies, to safeguard children in and through sport.
Following the revelations about the abuse former players suffered as young footballers, the NSPCC has launched a dedicated hotline for victims of abuse, supported by the FA.
The free helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.