Department for Culture Media and Sport
safeguarding vulnerable groups
Sport has a vital role in making sure children and vulnerable adults are safe from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
In 2001 we helped establish the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), a partnership between Sport England and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The CPSU helps sports and other organisations to:
- recognise their responsibility to protect children and young people left in their care
- identify and respond to adults who are a threat to children and young people
- develop child protection knowledge and skills among all staff and volunteers
- develop strategies and standards to protect children and young people
Sport England has made working towards achieving and maintaining CPSU standards a condition of grant aid for all County Sport Partnerships and all funded National Governing Bodies of Sport.
In February 2010, the CPSU issued A Call to Action. This calls on sports organisations and their partners in England to sign up to a shared vision of child protection in sport for 2015.
Everyone, especially parents, can check that any sports club they come into contact with is safeguarding the welfare and well-being of children and young people. In conjunction with the DCSF, we have produced a guidance leaflet for parents and carers called Helping keep your child safe in sport.
The Vetting and Barring Scheme
The Independent Safeguarding Authority runs the Vetting and Barring Scheme. This scheme aims to prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults. This has implications for organisations and individuals doing certain specified work. Guidance for the sports sector will be available later this year.
