A new project aims to establish a unified approach to safeguarding in sport.
The Safe Sport project stems from a UK Sport change programme focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of British Olympic and Paralympic sports. The project addresses key challenges and areas for reform within the sporting system.
Five Priorities for Safer Sports
The first report outlines five recommendations for safer sport, including:
- An agreed set of design principles for integrated safe sport system and culture.
- A clear framework for safe sport across the UK.
- A new independent body to provide leadership and coordination for safer sport.
- An independent and trauma-informed complaint and resolution function.
- A review of all current funding and delivery to ensure effectiveness and coordination.
An Encouraging Development
At The Ann Craft Trust, we welcome this report and support these recommendations. We recognise the challenges the sector is currently facing in keeping people safe. This collaborative, person-centred approach is the way forward.
We played a part in the consultation, and we will remain engaged with the process as Phase 1 is rolled out. This is an exciting time for all of us to play a part in shaping the future of safeguarding in sport.
We recognise the tireless work of many people and organisations involved in safeguarding in sport across the home nations. We aim to maintain our relationships and continue the collaborative working as the recommendations are further scoped in the coming months.
It is also great to see a focus on prevention. The report highlights how leaders need to prioritise and shift resources towards programmes and cultures that seek to prevent harm, as opposed to those that simply react to cases of harm.
Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 – Act Against Abuse
Prevention is also the theme for this year’s Safeguarding Adults Week.
The week takes place 17-21 November. It is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues.
You can learn more about Safeguarding Adults Week, and access free resources to help you support the week, here.
Prevention is also the key theme for our 2025 Safeguarding Adults Conference, which takes place on Wednesday 19 November in Nottingham. Learn more and book your place.