Every sport and activity club should have an appointed Welfare Officer even if the club just has adult participants.
Sadly, we know that adults can experience some form of abuse during their lives and with 30 million adults in England playing sport or taking part in physical activity every week (Sport England, April 2025) the likelihood is that someone may experience abuse whilst a member of a club.
While clubs are not expected to take on a social work role, they do have an active role in ensuring that their club provides a safe space free from harm and abuse and are equipped to signpost individuals to support services where necessary.
What is the Role of a Club Welfare Officer?
It is your club’s responsibility for ensuring that all necessary safeguarding arrangements are up-to-date and in place, whether it is an independent community group, business or an affiliated group of a National Governing Body (NGB). A Club Welfare Officer (CWO) is appointed to assist the club in achieving this. The CWO is also the main point of contact to support those who may have concerns, often with the support of their NGB, Active Partnership or other external organisation.
If you are affiliated to an NGB, speak with your Lead Safeguarding Officer to ensure you have a copy of your job role and information you need to get you started.
We have worked alongside the CPSU to create a more detailed Welfare Officer role description with Buddle. Please see Buddle’s guides:
Buddle's role descriptionsClub Welfare Officer Training
Self-Led eLearning Courses
We know that many Club Welfare Officers will be new to safeguarding adults and unsure of what exactly their role entails. We have created an e-learning course to help those who have adult participants understand what safeguarding adults looks like in clubs and how to manage any concerns raised.
Safeguarding Adults in Sport & Activity eLearning CourseTutor-Led Online Training Courses
The Ann Craft Trust also runs an Essentials short 3-hour course specifically for Club Welfare Officers delivered by experienced trainers with vast knowledge of both safeguarding and sport.
Essential Training: Safeguarding Adults in Sport & ActivityIf you are affiliated to an NGB is it important to speak to your Lead Safeguarding Officer to find out the support that is available to you as well as connecting with your Active Partnership’s Sport Welfare Officer.
Want Both? Get Our eLearning & Training Bundle Discount
We’ve designed a training bundle Club Welfare and Safeguarding Officers in England and Wales. This training bundle includes both introductory eLearning course and the tutor-led Essential Training course at a discount price.
CWO Training BundleSafeguarding Resources for CWOs
If you are a sole trader, small business or constituted group you can now download our skeleton policy and guidance documents.
Safeguarding Adults Policy & Procedures TemplatesAlternatively, if you are affiliated to an NBG, they will have a safeguarding policy for you to use.
Safeguarding and CWO Introduction Posters
We’ve created a number of posters to introduce you as the club’s CWO and introduce what Safeguarding Adults is.
Clubs with One CWO:
Clubs with Two CWOs:
CWO Introduction Cards:
Support from the Sport Welfare Officer Network (SWO network)
The SWO network has been created to support National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and their local clubs to promote good practice and safer sport for all. The network is funded by Sport England through National Lottery funding.
The network consists 63 sport welfare officers across 43 Active Partnerships and here to assist and support club welfare officers, to create safer club environments and improved experiences for everyone.
Find your local Sport Welfare Officer Contact hereSafeguarding Adults Week
Safeguarding Adults Week is coming up this November. From 17th to 21st November 2025, we’ll be celebrating Safeguarding Adults Week, a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues.
We’ve produced posters, social media graphics and more for you to use to share the message of safeguarding adults in your organisation.
Safeguarding Adults Week Resources
Keep Updated With Safeguarding in Sports News
Keep up to date with all the latest safeguarding adults in sports news, resources, events and more with our Monthly Safeguarding Adults in Sport Email Update.
Sign Up for the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Monthly Update