Many people have worked hard over the past decade and more to highlight the importance of safeguarding adults in sport.
We’re going to list some of the key developments below. But if you feel we’ve overlooked something, please get in touch to let us know!
2002 – Annie Kerr Article
Though we’re currently celebrating 10 years of safeguarding adults in sport, we’re continuing a conversation that’s been taking place for much longer.
In 2002, we published the 10th anniversary edition of our quarterly Safeguarding Adults Bulletin. It featured an article by Annie Kerr which reflected on the abuse of disabled people in sport.
Annie commented on the recently formed Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU): “The CPSU is mainly concerned with the protection of children. However, many governing bodies appreciate that there are additional issues surrounding the protection of disabled adults in sport.”
2005 – Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act empowers people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible, with protections for people who lack capacity.
The question of capacity would prove hugely influential in the subsequent debates on safeguarding adults in sport. If an adult has a right to self-determination, then it becomes a lot more complex to identify anyone who might be at risk of abuse.
2008 – Safeguarding Adults in Sport Steering Group formed
First established in 2008, the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Steering Group has gone through a number of name changes, and the membership has also changed over the years.
In the early days, the group aimed to draw attention to safeguarding adults in sport, and to encourage funding bodies to recognise the need for a dedicated service.
Emma Gibson, who is now The Ann Craft Trust’s Head of Safeguarding Adults in Sport, was involved in setting up the steering group:
The steering group was committed to bringing adult safeguarding to the sport world. We were conscious of the increasing movement and strength of child safeguarding, but it felt like nobody was specifically looking at the welfare of adults in sport.
The Sport and Recreation Alliance provided some essential support in the early days. We also had the support of Sallie Barker, who became the group’s independent Chair. The group still has a rolling Chair process in place.
Today, the Partnership is committed to steering the wider safeguarding adults agenda across sport as a whole. Representatives include NGBs, the AP network, the CPSU, Sport England, Sport Wales, UK Sport, and the Activity Alliance. All members update on their respective areas where it relates to safeguarding adults across the sport sector.
We thank those who have been with on the safeguarding adults in sport journey, both past and present.
2014 – Care Act 2014
Under the Care Act 2014, safeguarding adults becomes a statutory responsibility in England. This responsibility of course extended to sport and activity clubs and organisations.
2015 – Sport England starts funding Ann Craft Trust.
Sport England’s funding led to the creation of the UK’s first Safeguarding Adults Sport Manager role. Nicola Dean became the Ann Craft Trust’s first Safeguarding Adults in Sport Manager.
This is the milestone we’re celebrating this year: 10 years since Sport England first started funding a dedicated Safeguarding Adults in Sport Manager.
2017 – Duty of Care in Sport, Independent Report to Government (Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson).
The report listed a number of recommendations for the sport sector, including the creation of a Sports Ombudsman, a new Duty of Care Charter, and reforms for how we measure the success of safety, wellbeing, and welfare policies.
“The success of sport, in terms of helping people achieve their potential, making the most of existing talent, and attracting new people to sport relies on putting people – their safety, wellbeing and welfare – at the centre of what sport does. However, recent media reports and anecdotal evidence from across a range of sports has led to questions about whether welfare and safety really are being given the priority they deserve.”
2018 – Sport Wales starts funding Ann Craft Trust.
The Sport Wales funding allowed us to appoint a new Safeguarding Adults in Sport for Wales role. Ieuan Watkins was our first Safeguarding Adults in Sport Manager for Wales. Jodi Evans started working the role in 2023.
2019 – UK Sport starts funding Ann Craft Trust
The UK Sport funding allowed us to create resources specific to issues encountered in elite sport. It also led to the creation of a new Safeguarding Adults in Elite Sport role. Kimberley Walsh was our first, and current, Safeguarding Adults in Elite Sport Manager.
2019 – Ann Craft Trust launches Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework
The Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework is an online assessment tool that supports Sport England and UK Sport funded sport and activity organisations to implement best practice in safeguarding adults.
We launched the Framework at The University of Nottingham, with a lunch event attended by North Yorkshire Sport, Kent Sport, Badminton England, and more – some of whom were involved in the pilot stage of the Framework project. You can hear a quick discussion with these organisations at the launch event here.
In March 2025 we celebrated a landmark: Over 50% of active partnerships have now gone through the Sport Framework process.
Learn more about the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework.
2021 – Ann Craft Trust launched #SaferCultureSaferSport campaign
#SaferCultureSaferSport was a campaign for sport and activity organisations to work towards creating safer cultures. A safer culture is one in which welfare, safety, and wellbeing are at the heart of an organisation’s values and actions.
The campaign discussed three aspects of safer cultures:
- Listen – Create an environment where everyone is confident that any concerns will be welcomed, listened to, and addressed appropriately.
- Learn – Encourage continuous learning and reflection at all levels of the organisation.
- Lead – Demonstrate positive actions and values to empower everyone with the confidence to challenge and instigate change.
As part of the campaign, we encouraged organisations to make a #SaferCultureSaferSport commitment. We created a range of tools and resources to help organisations work towards creating safer cultures.
Learn more about the #SaferCultureSaferSport campaign.
2022 – Ann Craft Trust marks 30 years of acting against abuse
In 2022, we celebrated 30 years of The Ann Craft Trust. We celebrated this anniversary with campaigns, events, and publications throughout the year.
This included a special 30 year commemorative booklet, which you can access here.
We held a charity dinner immediately after our annual Safeguarding Adults Conference. The event included a drinks reception, a three course meal, live music, and even some magic by Professor Todd Landman. We were honoured to welcome some very special guests, including members of our board of trustees, our patron Sir Roger Singleton CBE, and some of Ann Craft’s relatives.
2024 – Ann Craft Trust launches the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Roadmap
The Safeguarding Adults in Sport Roadmap is a tool for English sport and activity organisations who are not required to complete the mandatory Framework as a condition of Sport England Funding.
- Understand what you need to do to comply with your legal obligations
- Guide you through the steps to implement and embed good practice to safeguard adults
- Identify areas and signpost to where you may need extra support to meet those requirements
- Have the confidence to know your organisation is safeguarding the adults in its care.
Learn more about the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Roadmap.
The Future of Safeguarding Adults in Sport?
We asked members of The Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults in Sport team to share their thoughts on what the future might hold for the sector.
They also reflected on how the sector has evolved over the years, and on the current challenges facing safeguarding leads in sport and activity.