Safeguarding
At scottishathletics we believe that all children and adults at risk who take part in in our sport are entitled to do so in a fun and safe environment.
We work in partnership with UK Athletics (UKA), Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF), sportscotland, Children 1st and Disclosure Scotland to continuously improve knowledge and practice in our approach to safeguarding.
In this section you will find the UKA safeguarding policies and procedures, the corresponding safeguarding regulations as well as the UKA and HCAF Codes of Conduct, safer recruitment guidance and a Safeguarding Toolkit, which contains up-to-date guidelines for clubs and individuals.
As part of affiliation, clubs are required to adopt the safeguarding policies and procedures outlined below.
For further information on welfare, please contact the Welfare team.
If you have an immediate and serious concern about the safety of a child, contact the police on either 101 or 999.
To view the documents click on each of the headings below, and download links will appear.
- Child Safeguarding
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scottishathletics believes that all children who take part in athletics have the right to do so in a safe, positive, fun, environment. We will support everyone involved in our sport to play a part in safeguarding and protecting children from harmful behaviour.
The UKA Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures will help everyone to understand their responsibilities in recognising and reporting a concern about a child quickly and consistently
The link to report a child safeguarding concern can be found by clicking the Report a Concern tab below.
Child Safeguarding Policy 2024
Child Safeguarding Procedures 2024
Safeguarding Video
Child Safeguarding Process Map 2023
- Adult Safeguarding
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scottishathletics is committed to safeguarding adults in line with relevant national legislation, and relevant national and local guidelines.
Our aim is a culture of zero tolerance of harm to adults, with the UKA policy and procedures being developed to help everyone to recognise adults who may be at risk and the circumstances, which may increase risk. This extends to recognising and reporting suspected harm both within our activities and in the community.
The link to report an adult safeguarding concern can be found by clicking the Report a Concern tab.
Adult Safeguarding Policy 2023
Adult Safeguarding Procedures 2023
- Safeguarding Regulations
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Safeguarding concerns can lie on a continuum from seemingly minor issues (e.g., breaking of small rules or minor breaches of codes of conduct), through to more serious, persistent, or unlawful behaviours (e.g., allegations or concerns about abuse, sexual or physical assault, or repeated or serious breaches of codes of conduct).
To ensure an appropriate response to a safeguarding concern that reflects both harm and risk, UKA in conjunction with the four HCAFs have agreed these Safeguarding Regulations.
- Codes of Conduct
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The UKA and HCAF Codes of Conduct set out national standards of conduct for all clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers, and athletes in the sport.
The codes take account of developments in national policy, guidance, and practice.
Every club, club member and anyone undertaking a relevant role must agree to abide by the codes of conduct either when they join a club as part of the club application process, or when they renew their club membership, or licence.
- Report a Concern
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Please follow this link to report a safeguarding concern:
SUBMIT A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN | UK Athletics
This link must only be used to report a safeguarding concern. For any other athletics enquiries, whistleblowing processes or complaints, please refer to the relevant scottishathletics procedures.
In an emergency and/or if you are concerned that someone is in immediate risk of harm, please call the Police without delay on 999.
- Safer Recruitment Guidance
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This Policy offers guidance on safely recruiting individuals to your club, and the part PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) scheme plays within in the recruitment process in relation to those who may be deployed in a regulated role.
Safer Recruitment and Management of Volunteers in Athletics Clubs
- PVG and Self Declaration
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The purpose of this policy is to provide information and clarity regarding our organisations role in complying with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (PVG Act) when ‘making a referral’ to disclosure Scotland.
Policy on Referrals to Disclosure Scotland Under the PVG Act
For PVG requests, please contact the scottishathletics Welfare Team
Additional Guidance for Transgender Applicants
Disclosure Scotland operates a special application process for transgender persons to assist in ensuring discretion for those who do not wish their previous gender (and names) to be disclosed to the person or organisation requesting the disclosure. You can find further information here.
- Welfare and Safeguarding Toolkit
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The purpose of the toolkit is to support clubs, coaches, welfare officers and individuals with best practice by providing essential documents, policies, templates, information, guidance, and links
Click on the links below to download the relevant templates.
Adult to Child Ratios
Club Partnership with Parents Form
Clubhouses and Changing Rooms
Collection by Parents
First Aid and the Treatment of Injuries
GIRFEC and Wellbeing Indicators
Information for children and young people
Managing Challenging Behaviour
Physical Contact
Preventing and Responding to Bullying Behaviour
Procedures for the use of photographs
Sexual Activity
Social Media and Digital Guidelines for Athletes – updated February 2023
Social Media and Digital Guidelines for Clubs-updated February 2023
Social Media and Digital Guidelines for Coaches updated – February 2023
Additional Advice When Using Video Calls for Online Meetings – updated February 2023
Trips Away From Home
Useful Contacts and Websites
Volunteers aged 17 years or under
Latest Facebook update
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