Menu

Safeguarding & Child Protection

Safeguarding and child protection

Kent Athletic Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults. It is the responsibility of all of us to create an environment where everyone involved in the club feels safe and secure to enable them to achieve their potential.

All children and young people have the right to be cared for, protected from harm and abuse, and to participate in a sporting environment which is safe, and in which their rights are respected, and their needs met. Children and young people should get the help they need, when they need it, and their safety is paramount. Adults too are entitled to have their safety and well being protected.

Kent AC has Club Welfare Officers, appointed at the club’s Annual General Meeting.  The current Club Welfare Officers are as follows:

  • Sarah Young            
  • Katie Lang              
  • Sarah Maris-Shaw

If anybody believes that a child is in immediate danger, they should call the police. For all other concerns about the well being of a child or an adult, anybody connected with the club – as a coach, volunteer, member, parent, or young person – should discuss it with one of the Club Welfare Officers (details above). If there are any concerns raised about a child or about the conduct of a member of staff, coach or volunteer towards a child or vulnerable adult, the Club Welfare Officers will consult with UK Athletics Safeguarding Team (, 07920 532552) and may also consult with Lewisham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (020 8314 6660). 24-hour, free telephone advice is also available from: Childline 0800 1111 and NSPCC 0800 800 5000

Safeguarding policies, procedures and codes of conduct

Kent AC is affiliated to England Athletics (EA) which is in turn part of UK Athletics (UKA), the National Governing Body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom. EA and UKA have agreed common policies and procedures for safeguarding children and adults, which affiliated clubs are required to adopt and promote.

Kent AC formally adopted the most recent EA/UKA safeguarding policies, procedures and codes of conduct at its committee meeting in September 2021. The following therefore apply to Kent AC and all its members. All members as part of the joining or membership renewal process must agree to have read and follow them.