Safeguarding in Sport as the Lockdown Eases

Safeguarding in Sport as the Lockdown Eases

It was a challenge, but many people managed to stay active during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Some worked out at home. Others used lockdown as an excuse to make the most of their local area, and facilities. And as the government relaxed the rules, more types of physical activity became possible.

So it was possible to stay active during lockdown. But as people adapted to new systems and regulations, we saw many new safeguarding issues come to light.

Now that the UK’s gradually coming out of lockdown, the government will likely introduce new regulations with every passing week. This might make safeguarding in sport a challenge. But the good news is that there are lots of resources out there to help you stay safe while staying active.

Safeguarding Adults in Sport as Lockdown Eases

Sport England has produced a comprehensive guide called “Coronavirus: What Happens Next?”

They discuss current best-practice guidance, which they compare to the official government guidelines. They then take a look at the next steps, before offering a set of principles to help sport and activity organisations “return to play”. Finally, they examine other relevant government guidance from a sport and activity perspective.

Find the Sport England guide here.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance has also put together a list of guidance and resources from across the sector to help people stay active, healthy and happy during the COVID-19 lockdown. They’ve gathered the guidance from dozens of official sport bodies, with return-to-play guidelines for everything, from angling to volleyball.

Find the Sport and Recreation Alliance guide here.

Mind have produced mental health guidance to support the return of sport and physical activity.

Find the Mind ‘Return to Play’ guide here.

Safeguarding Young People and Children in Sport as Lockdown Eases

The CPSU has brief but comprehensive guidance for any organisation looking to return to face-to-face activities.

They begin by looking at the government guidelines, where they highlight a few best-practice precautions that all sport and activity organisations should adopt. They stress the importance of maintaining safeguarding standards as lockdown eases, before providing a clear and concise list of “what sports organisations need to do.”

Find the CPSU guidance here.