Childline: NSPCC Sport helping create safe and inclusive environments so children can enjoy sports and activities
With the summer holidays approaching, families across the region may be looking to sign children up to sports and activity clubs.
These can be a fantastic way for young people to make new friends, gain confidence and skills, and to stay healthy.
But newly released data from the NSPCC Helpline shows there has been an increase in the number of parents and professionals reaching out with worries about children in sporting activities.
In 2025-26, the NSPCC Helpline handled 683 contacts from adults with safeguarding concerns for a child in a sports setting – a 10% increase on the previous year.
The most common concerns raised when reaching out to the service were sexual abuse and exploitation – accounting for almost a fifth of the contacts – followed by emotional abuse and physical abuse.
This month, the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit has marked its 25th anniversary with a rename to NSPCC Sport.
NSPCC Sport helps organisations to create safe and inclusive environments so that all children can enjoy and thrive in sport and physical activity. The service also offers guidance to clubs on how to practice safeguarding procedures and encourages them to focus on children’s welfare.
The unit works in close partnership with organisations including the Premier League, the Football Association, UK Sport and the Sport Councils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and aims to help ensure every child in every sports or activity club can participate safely and without risk.
No child should feel intimidated, scared or worried when taking part in sports, and any adult who has concerns should reach out to the NSPCC for support.
Remember, any well-run club should welcome any questions about their activities and policies, so it’s fine to ask about who their designated welfare officer is and discover who can discuss any worries parents, caregivers, staff, volunteers, or children may have. It’s also good to ask about the club’s safeguarding policy, and what safeguarding training staff and volunteers have.
Any parent or professional who wants to find out more about NSPCC Sport can go to the all-new website – sport.nspcc.org.uk – where there are details about the organisation and a blog on keeping children safe in summer holiday clubs.