BSUK and BSF recently held a drop in session for softball clubs and leagues to ask questions about the updated safeguarding requirements for the sport. This article answers the questions coming out of this session – and will be built upon when we run more.

BSUK is responsible for setting the Safeguarding guidelines, policies and procedures across both softball and baseball on behalf of BSF and BBF, the National Governing Bodies.  Ultimate accountability for Safeguarding is with the NGBs, but they use the Sport England supported full time team at BSUK to define the requirements and provide checks, training and investigative support where needed.   

There is no “one simple trick” to safeguarding; it relies on the “Swiss Cheese Model” of multiple layers of protection to mitigate the risks across the sport. Although the sports have been increasing the number of layer of protection, we still have areas for improvement and these areas have been identified in our annual audit by the Child Protection in Sports Unit (CPSU). The changes you are seeing now are as a result of last year’s audit findings, combined with a review of how other sports are managing the risks.  Layers involved in our model are:

  • Appropriate policies and procedures
  • Safeguarding Training across the sport for defined groups
  • DBS Checks for defined groups
  • Trained Safeguarding officers at clubs/leagues
  • Safeguarding Policies required at each club/league
  • Full-time support for clubs/leagues and NGBs in managing investigations

For the most recent set of guidelines, policies and procedures, please see the BSUK website

Questions and Answers from the session

Why is this being instituted for teams that have minors? This new regulation is being put in place just in case a minor were to join a team?

  • Policies such as these need to be sport-wide, consistently applied to all members of the NGBs.
  • Although you may not have minors today, there’s nothing to say you won’t have them tomorrow
  • Although safeguarding tends to be focused on minors in most discussions, it applies to more than under18s. Adults may be subject to some of the same safeguarding issues (eg bullying) and our model provides the tools and techniques needed to recognise and manage this, although the final steps may be a disciplinary action rather than a safeguarding one

Why does each LSL teams needs a safeguarding officer instead of just one for the whole league? Would a single safeguarding officer per club comply with the requirements? or would it have to be per team?

  • This is partly a size issue. A single person per club or league may be adequate, but if they are large, you may need more than one person supporting safeguarding. Having one per team may make it easier for teams to approach people they know if they have a concern.
  • It’s also a management issue. You need to have responsibility for safeguarding on the team/club/league management committee/board and this should be a single person, who works with deputies if they are present.
  • The final decision is down to the teams/club/league, but there always needs to be someone who is the Safeguarding Office (or Welfare Officer) per “managed group”, with the appropriate support of deputies.

What is an official umpire?

  • BASU Umpires.  BASU umpires are already DBS checked and have been for a while. We’re adding safeguarding training as another layer in the model

Does it have to be a captain or if a member of the team (ex-captain) has done it, will it suffice?

  • Captains are the responsible member of a team, as they are the people with “authority” within the organisation.  So yes, it does need to be the captain/team manager

What if someone doesn’t have the safeguarding certification?

  • They should take the online course as soon as is practicable and, if they need a Level 2 course, book that at the first opportunity.
  • We recognise that BSUK only does Level 2 courses in the off season so there is a 12 month period of grace to get training once someone has been appointed to the position where they need Level 2 training. For those that are currently in position, they have until 31 May 2026 for the level 1 training and 28 Feb 2027 to get the Safe On Base training. For those appointed after 1 March 2026, they have 3 months to obtain Level 1 training and 12 months to obtain Safe on Base training.

What sort of oversight is there to confirm compliance?

  • The oversight has 3 parts.  The clubs/teams/leagues are responsible for ensuring their members are correctly checked and trained. The NGBs are the accountable body for ensuring their members are complaint.  BSUK manage the tools and tracking and support the NGBs and clubs as needed with reporting and information about overall compliance.

Is there any plans for support for clubs (especially newer ones) to assist with understanding their specific structure

  • Clubs that need support can reach out to welfare@bsuk.com with their questions.  There is also local support available through the Sport Welfare Officer network, found via activepartnerships.org

Nobody has reached out to my team about this. I only know about it from a captains chat 

  • BSF manage the communications to clubs/leagues

Is the BSUK website guidance going to be updated (or has it already)?

  • Yes, it’s updated.

Note: Image by: BenAveling -CC BY-SA 4.0,