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Protecting Children

Finding a safe and inclusive environment is sadly not easy for many children today. IN uses sport to provide an environment where children can do what so many of us take for granted, which is play and feel safe.
 

International Safeguarding and Sport working group

IN is a founding member of the International Safeguarding and Sport working group that has led the development of International Safeguards for Children in Sport, in partnership with Beyond Sport, Caribbean Sport and Development Agency, Comic Relief, Child Protection in Sport Unit (NSPCC), Commonwealth Secretariat, Keeping Children Safe, Swiss Academy for Development/sportanddev.org, Right to Play, UK Sport, UNICEF UK and Women Win.

Brunel University were responsible for coordinating the finalisation of the safeguards. The safeguards were trialled by 40 organisations around the world ranging from international federations to sport and development organisations.

The eight safeguards are:

  1. Developing a  Policy
  2. Procedures for Responding to Safeguarding Concerns 
  3. Advice and Support
  4. Minimising Risks to Children 
  5. Guidelines for Behaviour 
  6. Recruiting, Training and Communicating
  7. Working With Partners  
  8. Monitoring and Evaluating
Overall the Safeguards aim to:
  • Help create a safe sporting environment for children wherever they participate and at whatever level
  • Provide guidance to sports providers so they can ensure organisations they work with know how to protect children
  • Promote good practice for sporting organisations to follow and challenge practice that is harmful to children
  • Provide clarity on safeguarding children so all those involved in sport know how to keep children safe

" I strongly believe that all children should have the chance to take part in a way that helps them to benefit from sport while being kept safe at the same time’. 

Ellie Simmonds