The Ann Craft Trust has been working with British Paralympic Association and Paralympics GB helping prepare their safeguarding team ahead of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
Paralympics GB has a strong commitment to the safety and welfare of all their team members, which includes all of the Team’s athletes as well as their staff.
As we did before the Summer Paralympics, the Ann Craft Trust, in collaboration with the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit, worked with Paralympics GB to support their safeguarding team. Throughout the games, the team will operate in both the UK and Milan Cortina. The aim of our training was to help them feel prepared and confident in their safeguarding roles and responsibilities over the duration of the Games period.
In January 2026, CPSU, Senior Consultant Carole Billington-Wood and I spent a day at Paralympics GB head office in London. We worked with their Safeguarding Lead, Safeguarding Deputy and their team of Games Time designated Safeguarding Officers. Together, we delivered training in preparation for the forthcoming Games.
Training and Collaboration
The training included a recap of safeguarding essentials following up on some online pre-learning that the team completed ahead of the day. There were discussions around high performance environment risk factors, along with an overview of the ParalympicsGB Welfare Plan and various roles and responsibilities, including the wider support available.
We then spent a lot of time discussing various scenarios and case studies. This allowed individuals in the group to share their knowledge and insight, while also helping to ensure that the policies and procedures were fit for purpose.
Paralympics GB planned the training well in advance of the team’s departure to the Games. This allowed time for them to consider any possible changes to the welfare team’s processes or protocols ahead of time. It also helped to consider how various roles could align with external support from the British Elite Athlete Association.
As always, it was a great privilege and pleasure to support the British Paralympic Association and Paralympics GB. We look forward to watching all the great sporting events and personal achievements that the Winter Paralympic Games bring us every four years.