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The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit podcast

The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit podcast

By: The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit podcast
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Welcome to our podcast, where we discuss all things sport and physical activity to create a safer sporting environment for all children and young people.

Whether you run a football club, lead a national governing body or coach gymnastics, this podcast will give you ways to help children feel seen and heard, prevent abuse, spot concerns and know what to do next.

We are part of the NSPCC, are funded by the UK sport councils and have been leading the way in safeguarding in sport for over 25 years.

We're pleased to support you in your safeguarding in sport practice, because safeguarding is a team effort.

#SafeInSport

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Episodes
  • S2 Ep26: Safeguarding in community sport and physical activity

    S2 Ep26: Safeguarding in community sport and physical activity
    Jul 15 2025
    Moving from policies to people

    Dive into our latest podcast where we explore the vital role of safeguarding in community sports and physical activities. The discussion features three guests: Anita Stewart, Sport Welfare Officer from Active Norfolk, John Downes, Designated Safeguard Lead from StreetGames, and Ross Podyma, Strategic Director from Sporting Communities. They share insights on the challenges and solutions in safeguarding within community sports.

    Key points include:

    • volunteer confidence: emphasising the need for training and support to make sure volunteers are confident in safeguarding practices
    • community engagement: highlighting the importance of local partnerships and community involvement in creating safe environments
    • cultural shift: advocating for a shift from compliance-based safeguarding to a more integrated, welfare-focused approach that puts children first
    • youth involvement: stressing the importance of involving young people in decision-making and creating environments where they feel safe and valued
    Featuring 
    • Liza Ware – Host, NSPCC CPSU Senior Safeguarding Consultant 
    • Anita Stewart – Sport Welfare Officer, Active Norfolk
    • John Downes – Designated Safeguarding Lead, StreetGames
    • Ross Podyma – Strategic Director, Sporting Communities
    Anita Stewart: "I went into an organisation and did a forum with some young people from a disability group in Norfolk, and we were asking them what made them feel safe and what safeguarding meant to them. A young person said, 'when I think of safeguarding, I think of folders, risk assessments and bits of paper.' And then we asked them what makes them feel safe? She said 'people make me feel safe'. And from that we came up with 'Let's move safeguarding from policies to people'."
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • S2 Ep25: Online Safety Part 5: How to keep children and young people safe

    S2 Ep25: Online Safety Part 5: How to keep children and young people safe
    May 13 2025
    Louisa Street—youth worker, PhD candidate, and member of the HeadStart Kernow Digital Resilience Project—sits down with NSPCC CPSU Senior Digital Content Editor Sam to answer key questions about online safety in sport.

    We cover:

    • how top athletes can promote themselves on social media without compromising safety
    • how sports clubs can use photos responsibly while keeping participants protected
    • how clubs can take a harm reduction approach to instant messaging apps
    • how to respond to online bullying disclosures
    We also explore setting boundaries across digital platforms, informed consent, photo selection and the importance of working alongside parents and carers to create safe spaces for young athletes.

    Most importantly, we highlight why listening to young people and putting them at the centre of decision-making is key to safeguarding in sport.

    Tune in now and make online safety a priority in your club or organisation!

    💬Featuring:

    • Samantha Lawrence – Host, NSPCC CPSU Senior Digital Content Editor
    • Louisa Street – Youth worker, a PhD candidate and a member of the HeadStart Kernow Digital Resilience Project in Cornwall
    📄Transcript:

    You can access the full transcript for this episode here

    Listen to the full Online Safety series here.

    📚More information

    • Online safety and social media - NSPCC CPSU resource page
    • Using digital platforms safely - NSPCC CPSU guidance on how to use digital platforms safely
    • Sample social media policy - A sample of a social media policy which clubs, organisations and activity providers can adapt
    💻Make sure you visit the CPSU website for the latest information and guidance about safeguarding in sport.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • S2 Ep24: Online Safety Part 4 - Building Resilience and Reducing Harm

    S2 Ep24: Online Safety Part 4 - Building Resilience and Reducing Harm
    Feb 6 2025
    In this episode, they explore how adults can support children and young people in reducing harm and building digital resilience in the online world.

    Samantha and Louisa discuss: 
    • why prohibition doesn’t work
    • the harm reduction principle and its application to online safety
    • concerns young people have about the online world
    • how adults can respond if a child or young person is worried about their online safety
    💬Featuring:

    • Samantha Lawrence – Host, NSPCC CPSU Senior Digital Content Editor
    • Louisa Street – Youth Worker and PHD Candidate and member of the Headstart Kernow Digital Resilience Project in Cornwall.

    📄 Transcript:
     
    You can access the full transcript for this episode here

    Listen to the full Online Safety series.


    More information:

    • Online safety and social media - NSPCC CPSU resource page
    • Using digital platforms safely - NSPCC CPSU guidance on how to use digital platforms safely
    • Sample social media policy - A sample of a social media policy which clubs, organisations and activity providers can adapt
    Make sure you visit the CPSU website for the latest information and guidance about safeguarding in sport.
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
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