A Club Welfare Officer (CWO) is a trained volunteer who helps to ensure the club is a safe, welcoming environment. The CWO is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns and supports a positive club culture for children and adults at risk. Most affiliated clubs are required to have at least one (and often two) Welfare Officers who can handle concerns confidentially and represent safeguarding on the club committee.
In line with the HCAF and UKA Club Safeguarding Code of Conduct and Club Standards, we have two Welfare Officers:
Our Lead Welfare Officer is Kathryn Hammond, supported by our second Welfare Officer, Andy Wilson.
Please contact either of the Welfare Officers if you have any concerns, or if something does not feel right and you would like it to be addressed.
Core responsibilities of a Welfare Officer
- Safeguarding: Acting as the first point of contact for concerns about a child or an adult at risk.
- Policy implementation: Helping the club follow UK Athletics/England Athletics safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Recording and reporting: Managing concerns appropriately, keeping records, and escalating to the club committee and/or the national governing body where required.
- Safe environment: Promoting an inclusive and respectful culture, including anti-bullying approaches and safe training practices.
- DBS check: Holding an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through UK Athletics.
When to contact a Welfare Officer
Members should contact a Welfare Officer if they have:
- concerns about a child’s or adult at risk’s safety or wellbeing;
- concerns about bullying, harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behaviour;
- concerns about misconduct or a safeguarding-related incident within the club; or
- questions about the club’s welfare and safeguarding policies.
Please use the contact form below to direct your concerns to the Welfare Officers, or if you prefer please reach out the them at Club nights.
All correspondence will be treated in the strictest confidence.