Minimum safeguarding training standards

Minimum training standards summarise what safeguarding training should be provided for your staff and volunteers to maintain competency and consistency. Meeting these requirements is part of the safeguarding standards expected of sport and physical activity organisations receiving sports council funding. 

NSPCC Sport recommends that all individuals in roles with regular responsibility for children and young people take interactive tutor-led safeguarding training. Initial training should comprise a minimum of three hours' learning. Ideally this would be all tutor led to provide the attendee with the best learning opportunity, but we understand the desire to consider different learning opportunities.

If you use a blended learning approach this must include, at least one hour (or a minimum of 35% of the course, whichever is greater) facilitated by a qualified safeguarding tutor. Training should provide opportunities for live interaction between participants and the tutor, enabling questions, discussion and feedback in real time. 

Who needs to know about the minimum training standards?

All organisations are encouraged to meet minimum training standards as best safeguarding practice and continual professional development expectations to help any organisation meet the NSPCC Sport Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport.

• In England, all organisations that receive funding from either Sport England or UK Sport are required to meet the Standards, as set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children. 
• In Wales, all National Governing Bodies (NGBs) funded by Sport Wales should achieve the NSPCC Sport Safeguarding Standards across the different levels, as set out in Working together to safeguard people: code of safeguarding practice 2022.
• In Northern Ireland, all NGBs funded by Sport Northern Ireland, must achieve the National Governing Body (NGB) Safeguarding Standards (Sport Northern Ireland organisation responsibility for safeguarding plan 2025).

Minimum requirements for safeguarding training

Time: At least 3 hours, which includes 1 hour or 35% (whichever is the most), delivered and facilitated by a tutor
Participants: a maximum of 20 per course 
Delivery: at least one qualified safeguarding tutor 

Course to include:

• delivery by a qualified safeguarding tutor, either in person or virtually
• live interaction between participants and the tutor with the opportunity to ask specific questions and receive feedback from the tutor in real time
• the opportunity to hear the views of other participants, to share experiences and learning
• the opportunity to discuss specific safeguarding issues that arise during the training with peers and the tutor
• the opportunity to work through scenarios and have discussions as a group
• the opportunity to reflect, check and test learning

The need for tutor-led delivery

• Training delivered by a tutor will facilitate the opportunity for each participant’s knowledge, approach and a nuanced understanding to be informally assessed by a professional - This cannot be achieved via elearning or on-demand options.
• Tutor-led training allows participates to explore real-life scenarios and have discussions with peers in a controlled environment with the support and experience of a qualified tutor
• A qualified tutor understands how to deliver safeguarding content and adapt delivery to the needs of the participants. They will also be able to manage any safeguarding issues that arise, as well as facilitate a safe and controlled environment.
• A good tutor will be able to informally assess each participant’s value and ensure they align with the needs of keeping children safe in sport and physical activity.

Why no more than 20 people per course? 

• Ideally your course should have 16-18 participants.
• More than 20 participants will dilute the learning, limit opportunities to ask questions or gain peer support.

Accessibility

It is good practice to ensure that your training is as accessible as possible. This should include addressing any specific training needs for your audience.  When booking delegates onto your training, ask if they have any additional needs and, where possible, put provisions in place to support the individual and make your training accessible for them.

Here are some examples of how this could be done

• If your delivery is in person, make sure the physical space is suitable for your participants (ramps, lighting, car parking, toilets, noise levels etc).
• If your delivery is virtual through an online platform, make sure the platform is private and only the invited participants can join.
• Tailor or tweak your training so its suitable for your participants, for example using British Sign Language, subtitles or captions could help D/deaf individuals. Adapting font size, colours, design, videos and animations could help people with visual impairments and those who are neurodivergent. Facilitating movement breaks or active learning can help those participants with ADHD or long-term physical health issues

Elearning

Good quality elearning should include:

• content developed by experts and experienced trainers
• opportunities to build confidence in safeguarding
• interactive elements to reflect and test a participant’s knowledge and understanding

Elearning can be completed in a participant’s own time and provide a certificate upon successful completion.

Elearning should not be relied on to deliver course material that includes topics such as personal values around abuse, poor practice, how to effectively manage situations and concerns, responding appropriately to disclosures, communicating with children, leadership, or bespoke content.

This guidance is informed by research from Edge Hill University.