Children and Young People
If you have concerns about the wellbeing of a child, or children, it’s right that you share these with the right people. You should always bear in mind, however, that it is not your responsibility to judge whether or not a child is being abused, but to report your concerns appropriately.
For non-urgent concerns, there are several options available, including seeking support from your national governing body (if applicable), local authority social care services, the NSPCC, or the Child Protection in Sport Unit.
In case you suspect that a child is in imminent danger or requires urgent medical assistance, it's imperative to call 999 for emergency services right away. You can also contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for immediate support in reporting any risks.
If the child isn't in immediate danger and isn't injured, it's important to report your concerns appropriately. If you're affiliated with a national governing body, you can refer to their safeguarding procedures to know whom to report your concerns to. If their procedures aren't available, you can use their complaints procedure or call their main contact number.
If your club or activity isn't affiliated with a governing body, you can seek support from your Active Partnership or local children's social care services (Social Services). If you can't find any available support, it's crucial to contact the local police.
Ensure you keep a record of your concern and how you reported it.
Adults
In case an adult is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention, it is important to call 999 for emergency services. If possible, inform the adult of your actions.
If the adult is not in immediate danger or injured, it is advisable to discuss your concerns with them and work together to determine the next steps.
If you are affiliated with a national governing body, consult their safeguarding procedures to address any concerns. If such procedures are unavailable, report the matter through their complaints process or contact their main office number.
If your club or activity is not affiliated with a governing body, seek guidance from your Active Partnership or local adults social care team.
If no one else is available to assist, contact the local police for help.
If you require support with safeguarding issues, the Ann Craft Trust can provide expert advice to providers and participants.
Support is also available via the Ann Craft Trust – they can offer expert advice on any safeguarding issues to providers and participants.
Remember that you can seek advice without disclosing personal information, but referrals to social care should be made with the adult's consent whenever possible.
Be sure to keep a record of your concerns and the actions you took in response.
Further Guidance
You can find the main contact number for all of the national governing bodies and sporting activities recognised by Sport England here.
You can also find full and detailed guidance on Safeguarding on the Sport England website.
Other useful links
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