LimeCulture is delighted that the Safeguarding Case Management Programme (SCMP), a partnership programme with Sport England and Sport Resolutions, has been formally launched. The SCMP will provide all participating National Governing Bodies (NGBs) with expert support to assist the management of safeguarding in sport.
The support and services are free of charge to participating NGBs who will have unlimited access to case management, safeguarding and legal support including initial advice, investigations and the organisation of discipline hearings and appeals.
Background to the Development of the SCMP
Following a number of high-profile cases of abuse in sport, many of which received large scale media coverage, LimeCulture met with the Director of Children and Young People at Sport England in August 2018 to discuss new approaches to managing cases of abuse in sport. Sport England – whose aim is to increase participation in sports and physical activity – recognised that a process was required to better manage cases of abuse in sport.
LimeCulture was subsequently asked by Sport England to develop and test a new Case Management Process, supported by a bespoke Case Management System for safeguarding cases in sport. Sport Resolutions was tasked with delivering the Process utilising the services of their National Safeguarding Panel. A year-long pilot was then carried out with nine NGBs participating.
On review, the pilot was considered to have made sport safer by allowing for a “consistent, robust and standardised response to case management” including timely professional advice and support by experienced professionals. Contributing to the review, participating staff and Lead Safeguarding Officers reported that their “confidence and knowledge had increased” resulting in feeling “better equipped” in the management of their cases.
Following the pilot and review, Sport England agreed to roll out the Programme to allow further sports top join.
Charlotte Bond, SCMP Programme Manager at LimeCulture said
“It’s been a huge privilege to develop the case management process and then test it along side Sport Resolutions and the nine NGBs who were involved in the pilot. Together, we have worked hard to make sure the process, and systems that support the process, work effectively for a range of sports in the management of safeguarding cases. We are delighted that the pilot has been extended and many more NGB’s have the opportunity to join the programme and access support and advice in relation to their safeguarding cases.
Progress to date
There are now 39 NGBs signed up to the Programme – 18 are already live and 29 are due to receive their induction training in September.
NGBs are able to access the Programme for all cases, both adults in vulnerable situations and children, with the option to request the variety of support available as and when they feel it’s required.
As part of this work, a common data set has been developed and implemented across the participating sports. This will allow us to identify the prevalence, key themes and emerging trends on abuse in sport, which will help us to better support the preventative response to safeguarding.
LimeCulture are responsible for the overall Programme Management of the SCMP and our role is to be available to provide support and advice. We offer day to day support with the programme including advice and guidance on Case Management processes and principles.
Charlotte Bond, said
“We’ll be holding Quarterly Development Meetings with all the participating NGBs to collectively look at best practice, emerging themes and continuous development. At LimeCulture we’re are really excited to be part of this important and innovative initiative, and are committed to supporting the ongoing professional response to case management in sport”.
For more information about the Safeguarding Case Management Programme please contact Charlotte Bond, Charlotte.Bond@limeculture.co.uk
SCMP Programme Partners
