Sport England
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Strengthening safeguarding and welfare across sport
We, along with UK Sport, have made 19 commitments that are based on the learnings and insight from the Whyte Review.
We, along with UK Sport, yesterday committed action across five areas which are designed to support improved safeguarding and wellbeing for everyone involved in sport.
In total, we’ve made 19 commitments that span the areas of coaching and workforce support, performance athlete support, good governance, dispute resolution and creating safer environments for participants.
These commitments include:
- the continued development of the Safeguarding Case Management Programme to help organisations access expert support in relation to safeguarding
- Sport Integrity, the independent disclosure and investigations service, becoming mandatory for all UK Sport funded sports
- the funding of a national network of welfare officers to promote good practice and safe sport at a local level.
The full list is available to read on the Whyte Review section of our website.
These commitments have been developed based on learnings and insight from the Whyte Review, the independent report which was co-commissioned by us and UK Sport in 2020 following allegations of abuse and mistreatment in the sport of gymnastics.
The Review concluded last summer, and its Final Report outlined a series of recommendations for the sport of gymnastics as well as highlighting areas where improvements could be made across the wider sporting system.
On publication of the Review, our chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, and UK Sport’s CEO Sally Munday confirmed the two organisations would be taking time to review the report’s implications in greater detail before sharing plans for change.
Today’s announcement is the next step in the work to ensure the Whyte Review is a catalyst for lasting improvement across sport.
Chief executives' statement
“Sport delivers so much positive impact for our society, communities and people. Whether it is the mental and physical health benefits of being active and connecting with others, enjoying live sport as a spectator or volunteer, or the inspirational moments delivered by our elite athletes, sport matters.
“Sport is precious and all organisations who have either a leadership role in sport or provide sport in this country have a responsibility to help protect and improve it for all.
"Since the publication of the Whyte Review in the summer of 2022, we have been reviewing the findings and exploring how we can use them to drive improvements and better support those who organise, coach and take part in sport to ensure the best possible experience for all. We have also been working closely with British Gymnastics to support them to make swift changes and develop their plan of reforms.”
“We have a responsibility to the gymnasts, parents, coaches and others to ensure their bravery in stepping forward and contributing to the Review doesn’t just lead to progress in their own sport, but has a lasting legacy across all of sport.
“This package of reforms incorporate change in areas where we as Sports Councils have agency and jurisdiction, but we also remain in ongoing conversation with government around wider reforms in the sector.
“Today is a positive step forward, but there is a huge amount of work still to be done to ensure all sport is consistently safe, welcoming and inclusive for all.”Tim Hollingsworth and Sally Munday
Chief executives of Sport England and UK Sport
Reaction from the sector
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Andy Salmon, CEO of British Triathlon
“Organisations with leadership roles in sport have a tremendous responsibility to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of people taking part, but this responsibility extends to everyone involved in sport, whatever their role.
Read more -
Georgina Usher, CEO of British Fencing
“Safeguarding and welfare is the foundation of every great sporting experience from participation to podium.
Read more -
Ashley Metcalfe, CEO of British Canoeing
“British Canoeing firmly believes it is an absolute priority that everyone who takes part in sport and recreational activity can do so in the safest, most enjoyable, high quality environments.
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Adrian Christy, CEO of Table Tennis England
“The safeguarding and wellbeing of people in sport is the responsibility of everyone across our sector and I am pleased to see the range of partners coming together to respond positively to the Whyte Review.
Read more
Read the commitments in full
Find out more about our 19 commitments that span the areas of coaching and workforce support, performance athlete support, good governance, dispute resolution and creating safer environments for participants.
Support services
If you've been affected by abuse in sport or in other contexts and would like more information or access to support, there are a number of specialist services are available in England.
Original article link: https://www.sportengland.org/news/strengthening-safeguarding-and-welfare-across-sport
