Safeguarding in Sport Course

Safeguarding in Sport – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces safeguarding principles for people working or volunteering in sports and physical activity settings. It explores how to protect children and young people from harm, recognise potential abuse or neglect, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and respond to safeguarding concerns. Learners will develop an understanding of duty of care, supervision, risk assessment and reporting procedures relevant to sporting environments. The course is CPD accredited and includes an online multiple-choice assessment.

Please note: This course provides introductory knowledge of safeguarding in sport and supports awareness of responsibilities when working with children and young people. It does not replace practical, regulated or role-specific safeguarding training that an employer or sports organisation may require.

What the course covers
• Safeguarding children in sport
• Duty of care and responsibilities
• Moral and legal duties of care
• Appropriate standards of supervision
• Risk assessments in sporting environments
• Adult-child physical contact and safe practice
• Inappropriate physical contact and physical punishment
• Supporting children with special needs
• Safeguarding considerations for sports science and medical roles
• Recognising neglect and possible indicators of neglect at home
• Physical abuse and recognising signs of abuse in sport
• Sexual abuse and recognising potential indicators
• Grooming, warning signs and prevention
• Emotional abuse and its relevance to sport
• Domestic abuse and reporting concerns
• Non-recent abuse
• Bullying and bullying in sport
• Poor practice and behaviours that may raise concerns
• Responding to disclosures and safeguarding concerns
• Recording information accurately and objectively
• Reporting, referral and escalation procedures
• Confidentiality and information sharing

Who is it for?
This course is suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people in sporting, educational, leisure or community settings. It may also benefit professionals who support sporting activities or have responsibility for participant welfare.

It is particularly relevant for:
• Sports coaches and assistant coaches
• Physical education teachers and school staff
• Sports volunteers and club welfare officers
• Fitness instructors and activity leaders
• Referees and sports therapists
• Healthcare professionals supporting sporting activities
• Youth workers
• Staff and volunteers at sports clubs, academies and leisure centres
• Holiday activity providers and community organisations
• Anyone responsible for the welfare of children participating in sport

Practical benefits
• Improve understanding of safeguarding responsibilities in sport
• Recognise potential signs of abuse, neglect, grooming and bullying
• Understand the importance of appropriate boundaries and physical contact
• Support safer supervision and risk management
• Develop awareness of how to respond to concerns and disclosures
• Understand the importance of accurate records and appropriate reporting
• Help promote safer, more supportive sporting environments
• Support induction and refresher learning for sports staff and volunteers
• Obtain a CPD-accredited digital certificate after successfully completing the assessment

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the purpose and key principles of safeguarding in sport
• Identify potential signs and indicators of abuse or neglect
• Recognise situations that may increase a child’s vulnerability to harm
• Understand duty of care and appropriate professional boundaries
• Describe safe supervision practices and the importance of risk assessments
• Recognise appropriate and inappropriate physical contact
• Identify concerns relating to grooming, bullying and poor practice
• Respond appropriately when a safeguarding concern or disclosure arises
• Record safeguarding information clearly, accurately and objectively
• Understand when and how to follow reporting, referral and escalation procedures
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and appropriate information sharing

Is this training a legal requirement?
The supplied course information states that there is no single UK law requiring every sports coach or volunteer to complete this specific training course. However, organisations working with children have safeguarding responsibilities under relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004, where applicable. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is also referenced in relation to managing risks and maintaining safe environments. Sports governing bodies, schools, local authorities and funding organisations may require safeguarding training as part of their policies, recruitment procedures or governance arrangements. The training needed depends on the individual’s role and the organisation’s requirements.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online multiple-choice assessment. On successful completion, they receive an instant digital CPD-accredited certificate that can be downloaded. The course is delivered online and can be accessed on a phone, tablet or computer. The course summary lists a duration of 1 hour, although another section of the supplied information states approximately 2 hours; the duration should therefore be confirmed before publication.