Safeguarding in elite sport is everybody’s responsibility to ensure athletes can enjoy safe sport in a healthy environment. There are a number of requirements and mechanisms in place within your World Class Programme and national governing body to promote a healthy culture and safe environment.
If as an athlete you see, hear or experience something that doesn’t feel right and gives you concern, it is not your responsibility to ‘manage’ or ‘investigate’ the issue. It is however the right and responsible thing to pass the information on to someone who can provide the right support and take the appropriate next steps.
Reaching out can be a difficult step to take; however, if you do have a concern, these are the options available to you:
• Every NGB should have a named individual who is responsible for safeguarding (Head of Safeguarding or Lead Safeguarding Officer) who you can contact.
• Every NGB will have a safeguarding policy and process for managing and raising concerns. You can find a copy of your sport’s policy here (NGBs’ safeguarding policies - British Elite Athletes Association) We know that navigating policies can be overwhelming so please reach out to the BEAA if you require any assistance in this area.
• Sport Integrity is a confidential reporting line and independent investigation service. The service is available for all athletes and staff on Olympic and Paralympic programmes to report allegations of unacceptable behaviour. Raise a concern or find out more about Sport Integrity here. (https://www.sportintegrity.com/)
• You can contact the BEAA to discuss a concern you might have https://www.britisheliteathletes.org/support/our-support. Our Head of Safeguarding Elaine Hunniford can be contacted directly elaine.hunniford@britisheliteathletes.org
Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) – The CPSU provide a framework for all those involved in sport to help them create a safe sporting environment for children and young people and to protect them from harm.
The standards for safeguarding and protecting children in sport also seeks to provide a benchmark to help those involved in sport make informed decisions, and to promote good practice and challenge poor practice. Find out more about the CPSU here (https://thecpsu.org.uk/)
Ann Craft Trust (ACT) Provide advice, training and a framework assessment for sporting organisations to ensure adults are safeguarded in sport.
Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity is a project funded by Sport England, Sport Wales and UK Sport to help National Governing Bodies, Active Partnerships, regional partnerships and sport and activity organisations to develop best practice in safeguarding adults at risk. Find out more about ACT here (https://www.anncrafttrust.org/safeguarding-adults-sport-activity/)
It can get a little tricky keeping up with all the acronyms in high-performance sport. Keep track of them all below.
AMS – Athlete Medical Scheme
Medical insurance scheme which covers the costs of healthcare for funded athletes who are members of Olympic and Paralympic sports’ World Class Programmes.
APA – Athlete Performance Award
National Lottery-funded grant aimed to enable athletes to pursue medal success in the Olympic or Paralympic Games and in other major championship events.
BEAA – British Elite Athlete Association
The independent athlete representative body, providing support, representation, and community. Responsible for giving you confidential guidance and ensuring you’re represented in high-performance system decisions.
BOA – British Olympic Association
National Olympic Committee for the United Kingdom.
BPA – British Paralympic Association
National Paralympic Committee for the United Kingdom.
CMO – Chief Medical Officer
Medical professional to deal with all medical sporting needs.
HPS – High Performance System
All the organisations and funding systems in place to support Olympic and Paralympics sport in the UK.
IF – International Federation
IFs establish the rules that govern their sport and ensure they are applied. They are responsible for the technical aspects of their sport at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
IOC – International Olympic Committee
Serves as the overarching governing body of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement.
NGB – National Governing Body
An organisation that governs and administers a sport on a national basis.
NOC – National Olympic Committee
Is the British Olympic and Paralympic decision and policy making body.
PAA – Performance Athlete Agreement
Sets out requirements, expectations, and obligations of athletes and their National Governing Body on all matters relating to participation in the World Class Performance Programme.
PD – Performance Director
Closely monitor core aspects of the programme such as training and competition activity, delivery of athlete support, and development of team culture and the daily training environment.
PDA – Personal Development Award
Financial award to support WCP athletes, continue to develop as a person as well as a performer while on the WCP.
PL – Performance Lifestyle
Every funded current and transitioning athlete on the WCP is entitled to receive Performance Lifestyle support – a practitioner that provides holistic support to athletes.
PSP – Performance Support Personal
All practitioners that work within the WCP or high-performance system.
S&C – Strength and Conditioning
Coach who plans, delivers, and reviews the physical and physiological preparation of athletes aligned to specific sports performance outcomes.
SRUK – Sport Resolutions UK
Independent, not-for-profit, dispute resolution service for sport. It operates globally and offers arbitration, mediation, tribunal, investigation services among others.
TMA – Team Membership Agreement or Athlete Agreement
Sets out requirements, expectations, and obligations of athletes and their National Governing Body.
UKSI– UK Sports Institute
The largest single provider of science, medicine, technology, data, and engineering services within the sport sector to Olympic and Paralympic sports in the UK.
WCP – World Class Programme
Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary support for athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS) is a medical insurance scheme which covers the costs of healthcare for funded athletes who are members of Olympic and Paralympic sports’ World Class Programmes.
National Governing Bodies – funded or unfunded – may also purchase places on the AMS at a cost agreed by UK Sport to provide medical cover to athletes not on a World Class Programme.
The aim of the AMS is to drive an efficient and effective medical scheme to develop athlete health and wellbeing. UK Sport pays an annual premium to cover the costs of claims and, subject to approval and conditions of cover, the athlete receives healthcare. It is a free service to athletes and no costs are recharged to their governing bodies.
When your funding comes to an end you are covered for three months for existing concerns as part of your transition support.
FAQs below or you can contact the BEAA's support team for more information.
Cover is usually provided by Bupa.
Athletes should have access to cover through their team doctor or physio. Any communication that BUPA have will go directly to you, so ensure your medical staff at your sport are up to date with the latest information.
You will be given a booklet in your welcome pack that is your Bupa membership guide. The typical cover is for muscles, bones and joints as well as mental health. Your programme medical staff will be able to provide further details.
Cover for pre-existing conditions lasts for three months after you have left the World Class Programme. No new injuries can be covered in this time.
Non-sporting medical issues can be covered if they have an effect directly on your sporting training or performance.