Sport and physical activity can and does have a very powerful and positive influence on young people.
Not only can it provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement; it can also develop valuable qualities such as self-esteem, leadership and teamwork. These positive effects can only take place if sport is in the right hands – in the hands of those who place the welfare of all young people first and adopt practices that support, protect and empower them.Most youngsters happily and safely participate in sport under the watchful and concerned care of dedicated sports coaches.
However the reality is that abuse does take place in sport and in some cases coaches have been convicted and it is essential that systems are in place to ensure coach and volunteer recruitment, induction and education takes child protection issues into consideration. In addition to this, it is important that coaches, volunteers and staff are in a position to recognise and respond to signs of abuse outside of the sporting context.
Wesport recognises that we have a responsibility towards children, young people, and adults at risk, and can help to protect them from poor practice and abuse.
Wesport has produced a series of policies and guideline documents which may be accessed by organisations for information or for use within the appropriate context. These can be viewed through the documents link on the right hand side of this page.
For organisational use of any of these templates please contact the safeguarding officers on safeguarding@wesport.org.uk.
All documents can be made available in alternative formats and languages on request.
