Safeguarding and Integrity Update – October 2023
Information on Parents in Sport Week, online safety, clean sport and Black History Month
Parents in Sport Week
Last week was the NSPCC Parents in Sport Week. Getting involved in your child’s sport or activity can mean lots of different things, from washing kits to being their personal cheerleader or taxi driver. But it also means making sure their sport is a safe place for them to thrive and enjoy.
The NSPCC has developed a range of resources to help parents support their children in sport in a positive way and be a great sports parent.
Online Safety
The end of September saw the passing of the Online Safety Bill which has now been made law. Technology companies now have a legal duty to protect children from sexual abuse and harmful material on social media sites, gaming apps, and messaging services.
- Online companies (including social media) will be accountable and responsible for user safety and must remove illegal content and self-harm. They must give age limits and carry out age checks and risk assessments.
- There is a legal responsibility to remove what may be legal BUT is nonetheless harmful content, such as violence, suicide, deep fake images and pornography.
For advice about talking to your child about online safety and starting a conversation, visit the NSPCC website.
Clean Sport
WADA Prohibited List 2024
The World Anti-Doping Agency has published the 2024 Prohibited List, which comes into effect on 1 st January 2024.
The most significant change to the list for 2024 is the introduction of Tramadol as prohibited in-competition. Tramadol is an opiate analgesic and misuse is of concern because of the risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction, and overdose. Tramadol is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Athletes who may be using tramadol are reminded to speak to their doctor about seeking alternative pain medication that is permitted in sport.
Further details about Tramadol can be found on the UKAD website.
All athletes should consult the new Prohibited List and the WADA Summary of Major Modifications.
Black History Month
October is Black History month in the UK, and the theme this year is ‘Celebrating our Sisters’. The theme emphasises the vital role black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities, especially those who have been forgotten. The contribution of the Windrush generation is also being celebrated, 75 years after the arrival of passengers on HMT Empire Windrush to the UK.
For further information and details on a whole range of events taking throughout the month visit the BHM website.
Contact Us
If you need to contact any of the Safeguarding and Integrity team, our contact details can be found here.
For more information, visit our Safeguarding page.
