Safeguarding Adults in Sport

Here at Living Sport, we take our Safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Living Sport is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all to participate in sport and physical activity.   

Living Sport is an Active Partnership, working in partnership with Sport England, clubs and providers, key system partners and local communities to create the conditions for everyone to be active. We work in partnership with Ann Craft Trust to support our Safeguarding Adults in Sport work. 

Concerned about an adult?

1: If they are in immediate danger call the police on 999

2. If you want to report a concern, contact Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership – Online Referral  

Cambridgeshire: 0345 045 5202  

Peterborough: 01733 747474 (main contact centre, ask for Adult Social Care)  

Peterborough: 01733 234724 (emergencies outside office hours) 

3. If you would like further advice and guidance – Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Neglect leaflet or call Living Sport Safeguarding Adults lead Sally.gibson@livingsport.co.uk 

Living Sport’s role in Safeguarding Adults

  1. To ensure that all services, events and activities offered by Living Sport prioritise safeguarding of adults. 
  1. To articulate, and implement minimum safeguarding standards when Living Sports works in partnership with other organisations to provide activities for adults. 
  1. To provide guidance on safeguarding in specific relationship to sport and physical activity, and act as an example of good practice and promote the importance of Safeguarding Adults in sport and physical activity.  

For more details on our scope, safeguarding principles, role and responsibilities please see our Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.

The Key Differences between Children and Adult Safeguarding 

Having a separate adults policy recognising the key differences: 

  • Children and adults at risk can experience different types of harm and abuse.
  • All adults, including adults at risk, have a right to make unwise decisions  – including the choice not to take action to protect themselves. This is different for children, where their safety is the primary concern – although listening to their views is still important.
  • Many people don’t understand why adults need safeguarding. Separate policies and procedures help to get the message across.
  • The way abuse is reported for children and adults at risk is not the same and the legislation for managing each is different, particularly in relation to consent to share information.

 

Wheelchair Basketball Session

Adults at Risk 

Whilst anyone can experience the abuse and harm detailed below it is recognised that people can be, or become more vulnerable due to health needs, and other circumstances which can affect their resilience and ability to advocate for themselves. This includes losing a job, relationship breakdown or becoming homeless.  

The Care Act (2014) provides the following definitions in relation to Safeguarding Adults who have additional protections within law.  

Adult safeguarding is “working with adults with care and support needs to keep them safe from abuse or neglect.”  

This may include people with care and support needs who may be in vulnerable circumstances and at risk of abuse or neglect. They are or may be eligible for community care services for the following reasons: mental health, disability, age or illness and who are or may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.  

The legal definition of an adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who: 

  • has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) AND; 
  • is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, AND; 
  • as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect

For more information on Safeguarding Adults in Sport including policy and procedure templates and training please visit Ann Craft Trust.

For introductory Safeguarding Adults in Sport Training please click here.