LimeCulture’s dedicated Sport Unit has a fantastic reputation in supporting sport practitioners, Clubs and National and International Governing Bodies to transform their safeguarding provision through our innovative training and development opportunities, case management services, expert consultancy services and independent reviews.
LimeCulture has a strong team of safeguarding professionals with experience in a wide range of strategic and operational roles in sport and are able to provide practical solutions to the challenges of safeguarding in sport.
Lead Safeguarding Officer in Sport Development Programme
LimeCulture CIC supported by Sport England are excited to launch the Lead Safeguarding Officer in Sport Development Programme. Driven by the need to professionalise the response to safeguarding in sport, this comprehensive innovative training programme has been written in consultation with sporting organisations, the Sport England Advisory Panel, leading sector experts and academics.
The programme will support Lead Officers to develop a strategic and holistic response to safeguarding, whilst embedding the values and principles of safeguarding into the culture, environment and operations within their respective sports.
It is recognised we all have our part to play in making our sports safer for children and adults, to ensure future participation and achievement. The programme will equip Lead Officers with the required skills and expertise to provide a consistent, robust and proactive response to safeguarding in sport. The programme will focus on safeguarding in the context of both prevention and response.
We have seen how vital sport is to children and adults to maintain physical and mental good health, but we have also seen the extensive harm done to children, adults, families, and sporting organisations when abuse in sport occurs. The programme will consider inclusivity and the human rights agenda, considering lessons learnt and how to implement positive change throughout an organisation. Move your organisational approach forward towards safer outcomes in sport.
Aim of the programme
The aim of the Lead Safeguarding Officer Development Programme is to provide in depth knowledge and understanding of the Lead Safeguarding Officer role. The course will equip professionals with the required skills and expertise to provide a consistent, robust and proactive response to safeguarding in sport. The programme will focus on safeguarding in the context of both prevention and response, looking across sporting culture, organisation and environment.
How long will the programme last?
This comprehensive course consists of six modules delivered over a period of six months. Each module will take place on 2 consecutive days of teaching with a written assessment at the end of each module. Delegates must complete all modules and pass each assessment in order to be independently accredited.
Dates for the programme:
Module 1: Wednesday & Thursday 5 & 6 March 2025
Module 2: Wednesday & Thursday 2 & 3 April 2025
Module 3: Wednesday & Thursday 30 April & 1 May 2025
Module 4: Wednesday & Thursday 4 & 5 June 2025
Module 5: Wednesday & Thursday 25 & 26 June 2025
Module 6: Wednesday & Thursday 16 & 17 July 2025
Book next programme March to July 2025
Key areas of learning
The Lead Safeguarding Officer Development Programme will cover the following key areas:
- Principles of safeguarding, the context of the Lead Safeguarding Officer role, external and internal structures in sport and how these impact safeguarding within organisations.
- Developing a strategic response framework, identifying organisational values and how these align with safeguarding priorities, creating a safer culture in sport, understanding how safeguarding fits within a governance structure and recognising workforce training requirements.
- Considering a risk framework, understanding risk assessment and how to manage risk. Understanding how risk impacts on the individual, the organisation and wider stakeholders.
- The impact of abuse on individuals, developing strategies to enable a listening culture within sport, breaking down the barriers to disclosure, learning lessons from survivors and victims and considering cultural competency and inclusion.
- End to end case management including the referral process, interim protective action, risk assessment and risk management, knowledge of perpetrator abuse and supporting those who have made disclosures.
- Understanding the investigation process, overseeing and directing an investigation, considering evidential thresholds and role of the Lead Safeguarding Officer in multi-agency working.
LimeCulture recognises that everyone learns in different ways and we work hard to ensure our training is as inclusive and accessible as possible through using a variety of approaches within each course. We encourage you to get in touch with us directly if there are further adjustments you may need to support your learning and/or participation in our programmes.
Eligibility
Applicants must:-
- be the Lead Safeguarding Officer or hold a senior role in safeguarding within their sporting organisation.
- have previously completed introductory safeguarding training delivered by CPSU/ACT or equivalent.
Cost
Places cost £2,500 plus VAT. This includes all 12 teaching days, and 6 assessments. Learners will receive an accredited qualification
Accreditation
The Training Programme will be independently accredited by NCFE, delivered by LimeCulture CIC – Training Provider Partners of CIMPSA.
This qualifications has been developed to meet the specific needs of our learners and have been accredited by NCFE demonstrating quality and rigour.
NCFE is an awarding organisation recognised by the Qualification Regulators for England (Ofqual), Wales (Qualifications Wales) and Northern Ireland (CCEA Regulation). These are unregulated qualifications and are not nationally recognised qualifications.
To receive the certificate of accreditation, delegates must attend for the full learning hours and complete the relevant assessment to the required pass mark. This will take place within the training module/course. Our trainers will be on hand for support throughout; reasonable adjustments can be granted for anyone with additional learning needs.
On completion of the Customised Qualification for the Safeguarding Lead Officer in Sport, learners will receive a certificate of achievement. The certificate is evidence of the knowledge and skills gained by completing the qualification. These qualifications have been accredited by NCFE under the Customised Qualification and certificates of achievement will be issued directly by NCFE.
The Open University is currently considering offering a post graduate certificate, diploma and masters degree in Safeguarding in Sport and consideration is being given to the Safeguarding Lead Officer Development Programme being transferable as credits towards these further qualifications.
The March 2025 cohort booking form is now open. To book a place on this programme please click on the link and complete and submit the booking form.
Further dates are to be confirmed. Please click here to complete an Expression of Interest form. Once submitted this will be added to the LSO DP EOI list and when the further training dates are released an email will sent with a link to the booking page.
LimeCulture’s 1st Safer Sport Knowledge & Network Conference – Wednesday 03 July 2024
We are delighted to announce that the 1st Safer Sport Knowledge and Network Conference will take place on Wednesday 3rd July in Royal Leamington Spa.Join individuals and organisations to share best practice in making sport safer, discuss the successes and challenges facing the safeguarding in sport sector and expand your professional network.
The conference will be chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC and the agenda includes presentations from:
- Liz Twyford – Sports Programme Specialist, UNICEF UK
- Dr Emma Kavanagh- Associate Professor, Sport Psychology and Safe Sport
- Richard Watson – Senior Safeguarding Manager, ECB
- Stuart Cornish – Academy Safeguarding Manager, Luton Town FC
- Annabel Timmins – Head of Safeguarding in Sport,LimeCulture
To secure your place at this exciting event, please click on this link to make a booking.
LimeLight Awards 2024
At the conference, we’re excited to be launching the LimeLight Awards to celebrate individuals and organisations who are making sport safer.
LimeCulture are introducing the LimeLight Awards for those in Safeguarding in Sport because we believe individuals and organisations do an incredible job and deserve to be properly and formally recognised for the important and challenging work they do.
The LimeLight Awards celebrate the dedication, excellence and professionalism of individuals and organisations and aim to acknowledge the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals, teams, managers and board leads.
Do you work with an inspirational Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO), brilliant LSO manager or Safeguarding Board Lead? Are you part of an excellent safeguarding service that deserves recognition?
The Award categories are:
- Outstanding Service – Lead Safeguarding Officer/Individual contribution to Safeguarding
- Outstanding Service – sport organisation (can be club level, NGB, Active Partnership)
- Outstanding Service – Safeguarding Board Lead/Senior Manager
Why nominate?
Winning or being shortlisted for a LimeLight Award brings recognition for the individuals and organisations behind the outstanding achievements and brings a focus to the positive work being undertaken in this field. Nominees benefit from national publicity, recognition for being the best in class, and the opportunity to share practice on a national stage.
This year’s Awards will be presented at the 1st Safer Sport Knowledge and Network Conference on Wednesday 3rd July 2024 in Royal Leamington Spa.
Shortlisted nominees will be offered one free place at the event.
To make a nomination
Nominations for this year’s LimeLight Awards for those contributing to Safer Sport are now closed.
Embedding Safeguarding into Strategy – a Workshop for Senior Leaders in Sport
Embedding Safeguarding into Strategy
Recent conferences on changing culture within sport, the ‘National Plan for Sport, Health and Wellbeing’ published by the House of Lords (Dec 2021) and feedback from Safeguarding Officers, have all identified the critical role that senior leaders play in influencing the development of a safeguarding culture within sport.
We have seen that despite having policies and processes in place, time and time again perpetrators of abuse can find opportunities to prevail. Key to putting up barriers to abuse, is the culture of an organisation, and this is led from the top. If safeguarding is a priority throughout every level and function of your sport, children and adults will be more likely to be able to enjoy and achieve.
Working in collaboration with Sport England, LimeCulture has developed a 3 hour workshop for CEO’s, Senior Leaders and Board Members to support their knowledge and understanding of integrating safeguarding at a strategic level across sport. Designed to complement the Lead Safeguarding Officer Development Programme this workshop will equip Leaders with the knowledge and skills to ensure safeguarding underpins the services and programs delivered across their sport by:
- Highlighting the key overarching legislative duties for safeguarding in sport and why they are important.
- Exploring how safeguarding sits within a sporting organisation’s Vision, Mission and Values and why.
- Considering the prevalence of abuse in sport from recent research.
- Describing the purpose of a strategic plan and the requirement for safeguarding to be a key factor.
- Recognising the importance of budgeting for a safeguarding provision.
Delegates will be supported by the workshop facilitator to develop an action plan during the workshop. The workshops can be delivered virtually or in person. There is a delegate limit of fifteen per workshop.
We recognise that not all sports organisations are the same size and therefore in recognition of this, the workshops can be delivered to either individual NGBs or 2/3 small NGBs can come together for the delivery. It’s up to the NGB to decide which would suit them best. However, at LimeCulture we think there are benefits to both options. Where one NGB attends alone, leaders can work together to develop a shared understanding of what needs to happen in their sport and plan for how that might happen. Alternatively, attending with other NGBs enables shared learning across these different sports.
If you are from a National Governing Body in sport in England, receiving funding from Sport England and you are interested in a workshop, please contact joanne.garey@limeculture.co.uk
Training
LimeCulture provides a range of training services designed especially for those working within sport, including:
Comprehensive Training Needs Analysis
- Includes the analysis of staff and volunteer performance reviews, focus groups with key stakeholders and the identification of required behaviours, skills and knowledge for each job role within the specific sport.
Workforce Development Plans
- Development of in-depth workforce training plans identifying key roles across the organisation and the level of training required for each role including training solutions and interventions. Plans are tailored specifically to the sport and the types of role required within sport including coaches, medical staff, stewards etc.
Design of specific training content and modules
- Development of training specific learning objectives in line with adult learning theories, course design including the use of recognised experiential learning cycles and learning styles. Training is designed using current legislation, best practice and guidance as well as input from our experienced sport safeguarding professionals.
Delivery of sport safeguarding training
- LimeCulture provides expert trainers to deliver safeguarding training specific to sport. Courses can be bespoke or standard packages. We deliver training to Boards/Trustees/Councils, Coaches, Support Staff, Administrators, Parents/Carers and Athletes.
- Example courses – Lead Safeguarding Training, Case Management, Investigations into Allegations in Sport, Supporting Survivors, Sexual Health for athletes, Sexual Consent for Athletes and many more…
For more information contact sport@limeculture.co.uk
Consultancy
Through a range of tailor-made consultancy services, we can work with you to deliver the required service or project that you want and need.
Reviews
- LimeCulture can support sporting organisations by undertaking comprehensive reviews of their existing safeguarding provision. We analyse the organisational safeguarding culture, policies and procedures and safeguarding practices. Our reviews are bespoke to each sporting organisation and provide detailed recommendations to support the development of your safeguarding provision.
Case Management
- LimeCulture can help sporting organisations with the management of abuse cases in sport, including allegations against staff. We work with expert investigators and case managers who can support you with current live case management or undertake a retrospective review of how a case was managed.
Policy and Procedure Development
- LimeCulture are able to support sporting organisations to review their current safeguarding policies and procedures. Our Team will help you ensure that your safeguarding policies and procedures are up to date with current with legislation, guidance and best practice.
Event Support
- LimeCulture are able to support sporting organisations at events, whether these are small or large scale events. We can provide advice and guidance around how to execute a safe sport event. LimeCulture can help you to ensure your safeguarding lead is sufficiently skilled and the organisation has adequate safeguarding provisions in place, including safe searching procedures, how to manage lost children procedures, how to ensure safe athlete village usage and so forth.
For more information contact sport@limeculture.co.uk
Reviews
LimeCulture is well placed to support sporting organisations by undertaking comprehensive reviews of organisational safeguarding provision. We analyse the organisational safeguarding culture, policies and procedures and safeguarding practices throughout an organisation (from Board level to volunteer input). Our reviews are bespoke to each sporting organisation and provide detailed recommendations to support the development of the organisation’s safeguarding provision.
Sport Case Studies
Premier League Football Club
LimeCulture was invited to undertake a strategic and operational safeguarding review for a Premier League Football Club. LimeCulture undertook a global review of this football Club’s operations, with the aim of supporting them to identify key strengths, gaps and recommendations to enhance their safeguarding provision. The LimeCulture team are experts in safeguarding, governance and sport management and were able to quickly identify key risk areas for the Premier League Club.
Staff at all levels within the organisation were consulted in interviews and focus groups to elicit the cultural approach to safeguarding, and to determine how policy and procedural practices are embedded within the club. Using our unique approach, we were able to identify key information to compile a comprehensive report with practical recommendations for improving and embedding safeguarding practice. The Premier League Club are now enacting the recommendations and making changes to practice to help grow their business operations and create an environment which helps keeps all children and young people safe.
International Olympic Event
LimeCulture supported a major sporting event with its safeguarding provision by identifying areas of risk and providing solutions to gaps in provision. LimeCulture supported the Organising Committee develop a Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy for a major sporting event and provided provision and support for:
- Searching children entering stadia
- Lost children in stadia
- Child protection/safeguarding policies and procedures and young fan wristbands
- Safe use of changing rooms Athletes village arrangements to reduce the risk of abuse
- Extra safeguards required for disabled athletes
- Vetting and checking – including security for stewards and event staff
The Organising Committee ran a successful major event with the correct safeguarding provision in place.
International Safeguarding Training
LimeCulture was commissioned to undertake a training needs analysis and design, deliver and evaluate a safeguarding workforce development programme for a major sport in China. The expert team worked closely with the organisation and devised a workforce development plan which has seen significant improvements in staff, volunteer and contractor knowledge, skills and behaviours in safeguarding. Thereafter the organisation reported an increase in referrals which enabled them to better manage safeguarding risk within the organisation and to feel confident in their skills and abilities.
LimeCulture is pleased to be hosting two workshops to support the launch of the ‘International Training and Development Framework for Safeguarding Leads in Sport’.
The Framework is hosted on the Safe in Sport website
The Framework is aimed at those who have a lead role in safeguarding in sport, those who deliver safeguarding in sport training and for those within organisation who need to consider the safeguarding provision. The purpose of the Framework is to support those in safeguarding in sport to understand the different roles and responsibilities and to identify areas of training and development for individuals and organisations.
The Framework is made up of different competency levels and subject areas, which are encompassed by three safeguarding strands – Safer Culture, Safer Environments, Risk Management and Leadership & Governance.
The purpose of these workshops is to support the best use of the Framework by providing scenarios, and ways of using the Framework.
Should you have any queries please email: sport@limeculture.co.uk
You must be logged in to post a comment.