Sport Welfare Officers Connect, Reflect, and Learn at national away day

The Sport Welfare Officer (SWO) network came together in May for a learning and connectivity event held in Birmingham.  This event was the third national away day to be held so far, providing another opportunity to learn and share experiences.

Organised by Laura Middleton and Katy Thompson from the Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO), who lead and co-ordinate the network, the event brought together Sport Welfare Officers from across England alongside a number of safeguarding leads from National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). Key national partners, including Sport England, the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit and the Ann Craft Trust, also took part in the event.

The day included reflections on emerging evaluation findings and discussions around collective action to strengthen the network’s impact. Delegates also explored how Sport Welfare Officers are integrating into place work and other Active Partnership priorities, recognising the key role of safeguarding and welfare in wider agendas.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to delve into the network’s impact and future direction with attendees joining facilitated sessions to share insights and explore practical approaches. SWOs from GM Moving, Energise Me, Yorkshire Sport Foundation and Tees Valley Sport also shared learnings and some fantastic success stories from their local areas.

Andrew Bowly, Head of Inclusion, Safeguarding and Wellbeing at the British Judo Association, said: ‘’The British Judo Association is proud to be partners with the Sport Welfare Officer network, and the Connect, Reflect, and Learn national away day was another fantastic day to see the showcasing of innovative work by SWOs, network and strengthen our position as an NGB in our shared goal of safe, inclusive and accessible sport for all’’

Laura Middleton, Strategic Lead for Welfare for the APNO, said: “Our event in Birmingham was a great success, bringing together the Sport Welfare Officer network to reflect on our significant progress. It was particularly valuable to have representatives from National Governing Bodies join us, underscoring the importance of safeguarding and welfare in wider agendas and strengthening our collective efforts to support safer, inclusive sport.”

Katy Thompson, Programme Manager for Welfare for APNO, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for our Sport Welfare Officers to connect and discuss the vital work they are doing on the ground. Sharing best practice and collaborating is key to strengthening our network, ensuring SWOs are well-equipped to support Club Welfare Officers in creating safer environments, and promoting good practice across the country.”

The Sport Welfare Officer network was established with support from the Ann Craft Trust and the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, following commitments made by Sport England and UK Sport in response to the Whyte Review. It has a workforce of 63 officers, embedded in Active Partnerships, funded by the National Lottery via Sport England to cover every region in England.