Two more organisations have demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding adults in sport through completing the Framework process.
We have recently welcomed both the Youth Sport Trust and British Universities and Colleges Sport through the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework process.
Both organisations are National Specialist Partners. Sport England is funding each organisation in the current Uniting the Movement funding period.
Youth Sport Trust
The Youth Sport Trust is a national charity committed to improving the education and development of children through play and sport. While its primary focus is on young people, the organisation also delivers a wide range of programmes that involve adults, including event attendees, delegates, staff, volunteers, and partners. This broader engagement has shaped the organisation’s approach to adult safeguarding and underpinned a thoughtful and reflective submission to the framework.
They analysed the intention and meaning of the Framework criteria and where it applied to them. They then considered their response, and how they could evidence their thinking behind the criteria.
Their submission highlighted their regular updates to the board, a thorough implementation plan, and an organisational training plan. Their codes of conduct are linked to their EDI policies, and they communicate them through their training and induction processes.
The reviewer praised Youth Sport Trust’s submission for its comprehensiveness, and for the robust evidence they provided. The Youth Sport Trust also demonstrated how it works with key stakeholders to ensure there is effective engagement and understanding at all levels of the organisation.
Helen Shuttleworth, Lead Safeguarding Officer at the Youth Sport Trust, said:
We approached our Framework submission with the intention of considering all adults: Whether participants in Youth Sport Trust events or programmes, adult learners, delegates, invited guests, or those delivering, volunteering, or working with us. This gave us an opportunity to review and re-evaluate our safeguarding practices, assess how we are meeting our responsibilities, and identify areas for growth.
The Framework has helped and informed us to build a robust action plan that will guide our future work. We were pleased with the reviewer’s feedback, which recognised both our strengths and our commitment to continuous improvement.
We are proud to be one of the first children’s organisations to complete the Framework. Safeguarding is central to our culture, and we’ll continue to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure we can prioritise everyone’s wellbeing.
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS)
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the overarching body for higher education sport pathways in the UK. They work to embed sport and active wellbeing at the heart of student experience. They do this through delivering and overseeing a range of inclusive competitions.
BUCS has also worked through the Framework process. Throughout their submission, they shared their thoughts on where they felt they sat against the Framework’s themes and criteria. Their reviewer found this helpful, as it demonstrated that BUCS had truly understood how their approach to safeguarding adults has evolved so far.
BUCS were honest about some possible room for improvement, and they clearly outlined their plans for progress. We particularly liked the clarity they provided concerning responsibilities for safeguarding. They made it clear that they are an organisation that cares about its members – the universities and colleges themselves. But they also recognise the current issues affect student sport, along with the positive benefits that sport brings to young adults.
Particular strengths included an ambitious action plan, and strong evidence that safeguarding is a key concern at various levels within the organisation. BUCS also highlighted their clear reporting procedures, along with their strategies for ensuring transparency in safeguarding responsibilities. In addition, they have recently established a case management group and a dedicated process for managing concerns.
The reviewer noted how BUCS has worked hard over the previous six months to develop safeguarding within their organisation. They have also identified some key actions for their organisation, including some crucial roles they are yet to appoint.
Chris Rawlins Governance Manager from BUCS said:
The Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework was a really useful self-review tool, to help us to benchmark our systems and processes and assess our safeguarding provision. Throughout the process, we have been able to identify the areas for us to focus on to improve our safeguarding as well as understanding the areas where we had effective provision.
The additional follow-up call with our reviewer was also extremely useful. It helped us clarify some feedback and identify key actions for us to take.
As an organisation looking to improve our safeguarding, being able to draw on expertise from the Ann Craft Trust has been invaluable, and has certainly fast-tracked the progress we have made. Thanks to the Framework, we have now established an action plan that not only helps us work towards compliance with the criteria, but also improve our safeguarding operations and governance.
Start Your Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework Journey
The Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework is an online assessment tool. It supports sport and physical activity organisations to implement best practice in safeguarding adults.
The Framework is for National Governing Bodies, National Specialist Partners and Active Partnerships funded by Sport England and UK Sport.