As with all sports and physical activities, being involved with netball activity as a participant, coach, official or spectator, carries a degree of risk. The risks vary depending on the type of session, fixture, or event, where it is taking place and who is taking part.

All players, coaches, officials, facility operators and competition organisers have a shared duty to participate in environments that are as safe as practically possible for everyone involved. This duty is referred to, in the eyes of the law, as the ‘duty of care’.

Safeguarding Information

• Netball Clubs with any juniors need to have a safeguarding policy (we recommend the England Netball template for clubs to adopt) Safeguarding-Children-and-Young-People-In-Netball-Policy-Jan-2024-1.pdf
  
  
• Clubs with any junior members are required to have a Safeguarding Officer on your committee, this individual should have a volunteer DBS check with England Netball (£17.25 ).  The fee is for the processing of the documents at the Post office meaning that you don’t have to send away any important documents, just take them to suitable post office to be verified ENGLAND-NETBALL-DBS-GUIDANCE-Sept-2024.pdf
  
  
• It is important that all members / parents of the juniors know who their safeguarding officer is.
  
  
• Your safeguarding officer should also attend a Sports Coach Uk Safeguarding Young People Course (virtual 3 hour course - £42.00) or Time to Listen Course to support them in the role and to be able to deal with any scenarios that may arise.  (The Safeguarding and DBS checks need renewing every 3 years).  WORKSHOP - UK Coaching
  
  
• You will find useful documents on the England Netball website to support Safeguarding Officers England Netball | Safeguarding Policies and Guidance
  
  
• All active Level 2 coaches who deliver sessions to any juniors should also have a DBS check ( if they are volunteering it’s £17.25 if they are self employed it is £55.24) and attend a Sports Coach UK Safeguarding Young People course, along with an in-date first aid course.  These are all valid for 3 years, your coach should already have these as it will have been a requirement to be able to gain the qualification.