Meet Yvette Hockley, Leap’s Sport Welfare Officer committed to fostering safer sports environments for everyone. This article will look at the importance of safeguarding in sports, how it differs from health and safety, and the crucial role Sport Welfare Officers play in creating safer sport for everyone.

What is safeguarding?

Yvette Hockley, smiling to the left of the camera, in a light floral blouseWhen people ask me what I do for work I say ‘I work in safeguarding, supporting safer sport for all’ they usually nod and move on to another topic. I never think to enquire about whether they know what safeguarding is. I assume that they nod because they know about safeguarding.

That’s why the other day when I was asked ‘what is the difference between safeguarding and health and safety’ I was confused. My assumption that when people nod when I say I work in safeguarding may not be, because they understand what I do, but maybe because they don’t but feel that they should. So apologies, if I am telling you what you already know, but: –

  • Safeguarding is the general term for the protection of people from exploitation and abuse by others.
  • Safeguarding in Sport denotes the measures we take to protect the health, wellbeing and human rights of individuals and to create an environment where all individuals can be involved in sports activities free from the threat of abuse, discrimination, or exploitation. These measures allow people to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. Safeguarding in sport is particularly important given the inherent physical nature of sport, combined with the imbalance of power between sports personnel (coaches, physios, sports doctors and National Governing Bodies and employees) and athletes/participants.
  • Health and safety is a set of practices, regulations, and guidelines to protect individuals’ well-being, security, and welfare in various environments, particularly in their workplaces. It encompasses the prevention of accidents, injuries, and illnesses by identifying, assessing, and controlling potential hazards and risks. (Occupational Health and Safety Blog )

How do Sports Welfare Officers support safer sport?

Yvette Hockley and Heidi Yates standing in front of Safeguarding Officer and Badminton England banners, smiling at the cameraHelp you and your organisation achieve and maintain best practice, by sharing what works well in other sports and what works well for you.

Deliver or find training for the staff and volunteers in your club.

Support you to review and update your safeguarding policies.

Engage with parents and participants to help them recognise what good and bad practise looks like.

Provide Advice regarding low level safeguarding or welfare concerns.

Contact me

If you have any questions or want to know how the network can support your club or activity please email me Yvette.hockley@leapwithus.org.uk