Safe Sport International Safe Sport International

In this final episode of season 1, Jo Norman (Independent Safeguarding Consultant) talks with Willma King (National Safeguarding Learning and Development Manager) about the role of governance in the provision of Safeguarding Advocacy in Sport.
Jo and Willma discuss how to 'govern' (establish safe practice and on-going monitoring) by providing the vulnerable with a representative – someone to be their voice, who will support and guide them through complex systems.
Key learning from this episode:

The need for a multi dimensional approach – "Advocacy is a team sport"The need for transparency and awareness across all stakeholders, including rights, legal duties, and guidance to assist them in applying the service effectivelyThe need for clear publicity, ensuring all users are aware of what they should expectGovernance is an ongoing process, beginning with a clear set of expectations and applicable standards, through to the ongoing monitoring and measurement of effectiveness SMART standards are to be set by the responsible boardAll those working with children and adults at risk must be 'safer recruited' and checked against a register of 'safe people'The need for annual audits, to ensure Advocacy services are compliant with the above
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In this episode, Jo Norman (Independent Safeguarding Consultant) talks with Mark Mungal (Sport and Development Consultant) about Safeguarding Advocacy in Sport from an international perspective.
Mark shares his experience of Advocacy, including the challenges of ensuring an equal response internationally across the many different structures and legislative frameworks. 
Mark highlights the importance of recognising different cultures, and that equality is not about having the same but ensuring we use the best from all cultures to avoid assuming one size fits all when applying The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). 
  
Key learning from this episode: 

The need to consider the complexities of the Advocacy offer across different jurisdictions and to use a country's cultural identity in the strategic development of serviceThe need for education of rights for providers, contractors, children, young people and adults at riskThe need to promote safe and protective cultural influences The need to ensure identification of the right people to deliver the service – those who are independent and conscious of cultural bias, using a safer recruitment process
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In the first of 3 new podcast episodes, Jo Norman (Independent Safeguarding Consultant) and Marcella Leonard (SSI Associate / Safeguarding Consultant) take a deeper look at the need for Safeguarding Advocacy in Sport.
 
During their conversation, Marcella shares her perspective and experience, explaining the vulnerability of children and some adults who may be unable to protect themselves. They also discuss the influence of power, authority and unquestioned access to athletes, in relation to coaches and adults in positions of trust.  
 
Key learning from this episode:
 
Ways in which people are vulnerable to abuse and exploitationThe need for risk assessing all aspects of an Advocacy service The need for independence in Advocacy, promoting the individual's right to remain in control of their information ⁠By being independent, the Advocacy service will have no conflict of interest or bias, reducing risk of potential blocks to accessing the serviceWays to promote an Advocacy service, ensuring all stakeholders are clear about the purpose and function of independent Advocacy
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In this final conversation, Marcella Leonard (SSI Associate / Safeguarding Consultant) and Kat Craig (CEO of Athlead) explore how organisations can develop an Advocacy approach.
Recognising, identifying and creating social change is difficult. It's therefore important to take a strategic approach, identifying the key steps required on the journey towards change.
To enable effective organisational change, 3 core elements must be present:

Authenticity of narratives shared by people with lived experienceSustainabilityStrategic approach
Advocating for social change requires significant energy, but the cost of inaction is greater.
Key learning from this episode:

Identify and define the key issue to be addressedIdentify the audience you need to influenceIdentify who has the power to make the changeIdentify the people to influence - those who can make change happenIdentify what actions you can takeUndertake research and educate the organisationIdentify and establish a team to support and energise the movement towards change
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Join Marcella Leonard (SSI Associate / Safeguarding Consultant) and Kat Craig (CEO of Athlead) as they discuss the challenges an individual or organisation might face when creating change through Advocacy.
Creating change is difficult. It means taking action against an individual or organisation that may or may not be receptive to that challenge. This can include the need to challenge power dynamics, potentially creating barriers.
Being aware of the challenges and ensuring support mechanisms are in place will help reduce the emotional toll and keep you moving forwards. 
Key learning from this episode:

Creating change can have an emotional toll, either because of what has happened to you personally or to someone / something you care about. Sitting in other people’s suffering is upsetting and will have an impact. It is so important to have support networks in place to draw upon, both formal and informal.
Creating change can involve being confronted by people’s wilful ignorance. It is therefore important to have a team of people in place to challenge any ignorance through education, research, knowledge and action.
Creating change can involve being confronted by wilful inaction, even when an issue has been brought to the attention of a person or organisation. This can be hugely frustrating, creating a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Having a diverse range of support networks to assist in developing strategies for safely challenging inaction is therefore crucial.
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Join Marcella Leonard (SSI Associate / Safeguarding Consultant) and Kat Craig (CEO of Athlead) as they discuss the topic of "Advocacy in sport".
At its heart, Advocacy is about social change. Being an advocate for change includes compelling and authentic storytelling, driving sustainability, and empowering people to overcome barriers.
Self-care and availability of personal support are therefore essential factors to consider — Advocacy is a team sport!
For organisations and individuals seeking to create social change, the key questions to ask are:

Why are we doing this?What is the key problem we are trying to address – is it policy / social issue / practice related?Who is our audience?Who has the power to make the change(s)?Who has the influence on those who do have the power to make change(s)?What are the interim outcomes we want to achieve?What are the actions you can take?
Also, to recognise the importance of research and having the knowledge to inform the debate.
And, crucially, for effective self-care, to create and access support systems, for drawing upon when the barriers to change become challenging.

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