Safeguarding adults is the responsibility of all organisations and true open discussion is needed to get it right, that’s why Active Cumbria, the local active partnership and part of Cumbria County Councils Public Health team have signed up to the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework.
Provided by Ann Craft Trust, the leading body for safeguarding adults in sport and physical activity, Active Cumbria have been audited against a set of six criteria and subject to thorough scrutiny and review.
The partnership, which is highly valued by stakeholders and partners has received an overall ‘Satisfactory’ rating, with some individual modules being assessed as ‘Good’.
Richard Johnston, Senior Manager (Operations), Active Cumbria said: “I would urge all organisations working within our sector to sign up to the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework, this is a best practise framework and evidences robust procedures that should be in place regarding the safeguarding of adults. It also helps provide a way forward for supporting decision-making and rights for adults who may be at risk. The Framework is endorsed by Sport England.
Safeguarding is a responsibility for every sport and physical activity organisation working with adults. It should not be seen as just the duty of local authorities and the police. People working and volunteering in the sport and physical activity sector should be given the skills and confidence to raise their concerns if they suspect abuse and, importantly, to overcome resistance to their suspicions. In addition sports and physical activity organisations have a duty to ensure that adults are able to take part fully, free from abuse and neglect.
The satisfactory rating we have received, gives us the opportunity to bring the adults safeguarding work in line with our work ensuring children are safe in sport, and we will look at how we can bring these together and develop them further within our internal Safeguarding Group that we already have in place.”
Sue Kaveney, Advisory Board Safeguarding Champion at Active Cumbria said: “I’m really pleased with our initial rating of satisfactory, it shows that Active Cumbria is aligning to current best practice while meeting regulatory compliance. Keeping adults safe from harm is everybody’s responsibility and becoming accredited with the Ann Craft Trust shows our commitment.”
