Safeguarding

Safeguarding has always been something that sports grounds need to consider, with news articles and events continuing to show that it deserves everyone’s attention. While crowd dynamics, structural safety and safety management considerations often dominate operational focus, the welfare of children, young persons and adults at risk is equally important to maintain a safe venue. It is not an optional add‑on, it is a statutory duty, a licensing requirement, and a core component of responsible management.

The Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide) is clear that safeguarding considerations extend to everyone who may be present at a sports ground, including spectators, staff, athletes, performers and mascots. It reminds us that safeguarding is not confined to family areas or junior teams; it is entwined through every operational decision, from ticketing strategies to steward deployment and training.

A robust Safeguarding Plan is the foundation for any work in this area. It should be part of the Operations Manual and produced by a competent person with the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience. The plan must be practical, event‑specific where necessary, and fully integrated with the safety management system. It should also reflect the legislative framework that underpins safeguarding in the UK.

The key operational considerations are:

• Staffing and training
  Staffing is central to operational plans, anyone working directly with children or adults at risk must undergo appropriate vetting. In designated areas where safeguarding issues are more likely, higher steward‑to‑spectator ratios may be necessary, and staff must be trained not only in safeguarding but also in communication, disability awareness and customer service. Searching policies must also be adapted sensitively for minors and for those with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments.

• Ticketing and admission
  Ticketing strategies can significantly affect the safeguarding risk. Promotions that attract large numbers of children or young people require enhanced planning, including clear policies on unaccompanied minors, lower age limits and arrangements for infants. Management must also consider what happens when an unaccompanied child is denied entry to a ground or particular area, a scenario that can arise more often than you think.

• Accommodation and welfare
  Accommodation matters too, areas intended for children or adults at risk must offer suitable amenities, appropriate sightlines, protection from activity‑related hazards and clear access to evacuation routes. Policies for lost or found children, camera use in sensitive areas, and the chaperoning of young performers or mascots should be clearly defined and rehearsed.

Ultimately, safeguarding is about anticipating vulnerability and responding with professionalism, empathy and structure. As with all aspects of safety management, clear policies, consistency of practice and good communication between the Safeguarding Officer and the Control Room are essential. By embedding safeguarding firmly within operational planning, sports grounds can ensure that every person, regardless of age or circumstance, is protected, respected and able to enjoy the event safely.

Further guidance

For more information on writing a Safeguarding Plan please visit the following pages on the SGSA website:

• Green Guide section 3.28
• SG03: Event Safety Management section 3.10

Author:
Mark Smith – SGSA Inspector