Safeguarding Training for Coaches and Leaders*
Coaches and Leaders* – Information and FAQs
On 3rd March 2020 UK Athletics (UKA), in collaboration with the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs), announced an independent review of UKA Safeguarding, in response to concerns raised to UKA, UK Sport and the media about UKA’s practices.
The review made a number of recommendations, a summary of which can be found here, but included the following:
- The online Safeguarding training course, which has been so successful, is to be extended to a wider audience and this commenced with Officials in April of this year.
- All Coaches who work directly with children and / or adults at risk must undertake face-to-face safeguarding training (including via a virtual classroom).
Q – How do UKA define “working directly with children and / or adults at risk”?
A – For the purposes of our sport “Athletics”, this will be Coaches who are licenced to work independently with children / or adults at risk and are directly responsible for the content in their training plans and the delivery of that content; for example Athletics Coaches, Coach in Running Fitness and above.
Q – When does this requirement commence?
A – September 1st 2022 for existing Leaders and Coaching Assistants starting a new Coach-level Qualification and April 1st 2023 for re-licencing Coaches and Leaders*.
Q – What does this course provide that the online module does not?
A – The face-to-face course allows opportunity to discuss the context around some of the case studies which will be shared, and understand the implications of good coaching practice in ensuring a participant’s safety and well-being.
Q – What type of Safeguarding training do Coaches need to complete?
A – UKA have worked closely with the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to produce a course that is bespoke to athletics and the type of safeguarding enquiries and cases that we are seeing. This ensures that the training you receive is current and relevant to the activities for which you are licenced, and for this reason we will not accept training from other providers.
Q – How long is the course?
A – The training consists of a 2-hour virtual classroom on zoom, an online module and 2 questionnaires. The online module and questionnaires should take around an hour to complete and can be completed at your own pace after the virtual classroom has been attended. At the point of re-licencing, you will be sent a link to allow you to book onto a course on a day and time that is convenient to you.
Q – Is there a test at the end?
A – There is a short multiple-choice knowledge test at the end of the course. The required pass mark is 70%, however if you don’t achieve this, then you have up to 6 attempts to complete the knowledge test and attain the required pass mark (70%).
Q – I am having trouble accessing the course.
A – Booking information and trouble-shooting guides are available on our course booking pages. If you still can’t access the course, please contact Coachdevelopment@uka.org.uk.
Q – What if I only coach at a venue where there are always welfare officers present?
A – Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and safeguarding knowledge, by all involved in the care of an athlete, can prevent an at-risk situation from becoming worse. Coaches are well placed to notice changes in an athlete’s behaviour or circumstances, and to learn from and apply the good practice taught on the course. In addition, knowing how to deal with a disclosure will help you feel more comfortable should anyone approach you with a concern.
Q – What if I only coach adults?
A – The course requirement is determined by who your Licence states you can coach. Much of the subject matter is relevant to adults too and as such is valuable and important CPD.
Q – How often do I need to complete the face-to-face Safeguarding training?
A – This training needs to be completed only once, and the next time you renew your licence, you will need to complete the online Safeguarding training course.
*UKA strongly recommend that all Leaders working with children complete the UKA face-to-face safeguarding (tier 2 coach level) training. This remains a mandatory requirement for Coaches (Athletics Coach, Coach in Running Fitness and above). N.B: In Scotland there is no circumstance where a Leader can work with under 18’s / Protected Adults.
Q – Why can Coaches and Leaders complete a non-UKA First Aid Training course and have it recognised, but for Safeguarding Training, the UKA course is mandatory?
A – Three key reasons, as outlined below;
- The SG courses signpost out to and are developed around athletics specific Safeguarding policies and procedures as well as the UKA Coaches Code of Conduct.
- The threshold for what is unacceptable practice in sports governance is lower than the legal position. That threshold varies from sport to sport depending on the risks within the sport and the environment it is conducted. We need to communicate via the courses where our threshold as a sport sits.
- UKA use scenarios within both our Safeguarding courses (Tier 1 and Tier 2), which we review and change dependent on patterns of safeguarding incidents and complaints within our sport. This means that we can keep the education relevant to the context coaches / leaders are operating in.
Q – I only coach over 18s, why do I have to do the Safeguarding Training?
A – Safeguarding is a societal responsibility for all, irrespective of those we are Licenced* to or actively coach. The issues pertaining to U18s, unfortunately are not limited to that age group and it is for this reason the online course is a requirement for all.
*NB Whilst a Coach or Leader may not deliver activities to U18s, apart from Jog Leaders in Scotland, a Coach or Leader is Licenced to deliver activities to U18s and therefore the level of training required needs to reflect this.