Effective monitoring of organisational safeguarding strategies

Date: october 2024

As safeguarding takes centre stage in sports, protecting athletes from interpersonal violence—whether physical, sexual, psychological, or neglect—has become a crucial responsibility. Even as safeguarding policies in sport organisations become more common, creating them is just the first step. To make real progress and foster effective implementation, sports organisations need sound monitoring systems that ensure these policies are genuinely protecting athletes at every level, from grassroots to elite.

When safeguarding policies are well-monitored, sports organisations gain a clear view of what’s working and where there are gaps, making it easier to take targeted actions to protect athletes. Without consistent evaluation, even the best policies risk becoming “tick-the-box” exercises that sit on a shelf rather than being part of daily operations.

 

Monitoring systems that provide accurate data allow organisations to set measurable standards, evaluate resources like wellbeing and reporting support, and make evidence-based improvements. This approach creates a cycle of continuous progress where policies evolve to meet new challenges and best practices.

To help sports organisations move beyond policy creation, here are some best practices for effective monitoring and evaluation of safeguarding efforts

1. Develop clear safeguarding standards and benchmarks

    • Set measurable goals: Create clear benchmarks to evaluate how well safeguarding policies are working, covering aspects like policy implementation, education, reporting, and support services.
    • Track progress regularly: Assess metrics such as the number of reports filed, response times, and resolution outcomes to identify successes and areas for improvement.
    • Check support availability: Regularly review the availability and quality of resources like psychological and legal support, ensuring affected athletes have access to necessary assistance.

2. Conduct fair and thorough evaluations

    • Internal reviews: Regularly assess policies, reporting mechanisms, and support systems to ensure they are functioning as intended.
    • Independent audits: Bringing in external experts provides an unbiased review, assessing whether policies are genuinely protecting athletes.
    • Gather feedback: Consult athletes, coaches, and safeguarding officers to gain insights into how policies work on the ground, identifying areas needing enhancement.

3. Ensure consistent implementation at every level

    • Apply policies across all levels: Safeguarding should cover all levels of competition, from international to local, leaving no gaps in athlete protection.

4. Use data to drive continuous improvement

    • Make timely adjustments: Data from monitoring results helps refine policies to keep them aligned with evolving needs and best practices.
    • Stay proactive: Regular policy updates allow organisations to stay ahead of potential issues, fostering an adaptive safeguarding culture.

5. Collaborate with experts

    • Partner with specialists: Academic and safeguarding experts provide scientifically grounded insights, enhancing data quality.
    • Benchmark against industry standards: Expert input helps organisations measure progress, staying in step with sector-wide safety practices.

By embedding these practices, sports organisations can ensure their safeguarding policies not only protect athletes but also adapt to meet the changing demands of the sports landscape. Monitoring isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a safeguarding culture that allows athletes to thrive.

Image credits: 📷 ARCH Safeguarding

This blogpost is based on the editorial ‘Safeguarding policies and practices in International Federations: on the right track?’, authored by Tine Vertommen, Margo Mountjoy, Bram Constandt and Kirsty Burrows, published on 16th of October 2024, in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

 

For the full article, please: 

Read here