UK Sport and Sport England commit to safeguarding and wellbeing for workforce in sport

UK Sport and Sport England have this week [16 January 2023] committed to action across five areas that are designed to support improved safeguarding and wellbeing for everyone involved in sport.

Nineteen commitments span the areas of coaching and workforce support, performance athlete support, good governance, dispute resolution and creating safer environments for participants, a statement from UK Sport and Sport England said.

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 on a local level.

In a statement, CIMSPA said it has been working closely with Sport England and UK Sport on a number of workforce governance consultations and research projects, both prior to and since the Whyte Review was published.

“In line with the Whyte Review, one of the key recommendations of the most recent CIMSPA report was for the establishment of a UK-wide workforce registration scheme, which Sport England has now asked us to take forward,” said CIMSPA CEO Tara Dillon.

Work will now begin to scope out and establish this registration scheme in close collaboration with all stakeholders, including National Governing Bodies, Active Partnerships, UK Coaching, the CPSU, the Ann Craft Trust, leisure operators, individual practitioners, Sport England system partners and relevant government departments, along with Sport England and UK Sport, CIMSPA said.

The 19 commitments made have been developed by Sport England and UK Sport based on learnings and insight from the Whyte Review, an independent report that was co-commissioned by the two organisations in 2020 following allegations of abuse and mistreatment in the sport of gymnastics.

The Review concluded in the summer of 2022, with its Final Report outlining a series of recommendations for the sport of gymnastics as well highlighting areas where improvements could be made across the wider sporting system.

On publication of the Review, Sport England’s CEO 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. This week’s announcement is the next step in the work to ensure the Whyte Review is a catalyst for lasting improvement across sport.

Speaking on the commitments outlined this week, Hollingsworth and Munday said: “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.”

Also responding to the announcement, Andy Salmon, CEO of British Triathlon, said: “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.

“British Triathlon welcomes these commitments and recognises them as a significant development and opportunity for positive change.”

Georgina Usher, CEO of British Fencing, said: “Safeguarding and welfare is the foundation of every great sporting experience from participation to podium. It is vital that there is continued leadership and determination across the sector to make the necessary progress and these commitments published today will form an important part of the work we have ahead of us to ensure positive experiences for all.”

Ashley Metcalfe, CEO of British Canoeing, said: “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. All organisations in sport at whatever level share a collective responsibility around safeguarding and welfare, as well as more general safety.

“The response from a broad range of partners following the recent Whyte Review is most positive and a great opportunity to make meaningful change.”

Adrian Christy, CEO of Table Tennis England, said: “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.

“This response provides a clear statement of intent to strengthen our sporting environment; a chance for change – let’s grasp it.”

• For a summary of workforce governance, click here.