Safeguarding Education in Athletics report: full and abridged versions

<div>Full and abridged versions of the following report are included in this collection:</div><div><i>Safeguarding Education in Athletics: A comparative evaluation of training effect in three modes of entry-level safeguarding training delivered by UK Athletics<br></i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><b>Abstract</b><i><br></i></div><div>This report presents an evaluation comparing three modes of delivery of entry-level safeguarding training for the sport of athletics:<br><br>1. Virtual: a tutor-led online, real-time, interactive classroom with multiple learners<br>2. Face-to-Face: a tutor-led, physical (or actual) classroom with multiple learners<br>3. Online: a pre-configured online training module navigated independently by learners<br><br><div>Following a synthesis of evidence including two extensive literature reviews, an evaluation framework and relevant instruments were developed.<br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Conclusion</b></div><div>In this comparison of introductory safeguarding training for athletics, a significant learning effect was found in all three cohorts or modes of training (Online, Virtual, Face-to-Face). This effect was weakest in the Online cohort. In addition to the stronger learning effect found within the two tutor-led cohorts, tutor-led training was particularly effective where understanding of safeguarding was low or weak.</div><div><br></div><div>We found that self-directed (online) training is effective, but that tutor-led training (‘virtual’ or ‘face-to-face’) provides a dynamic, contextualised learning environment where the opportunity to discuss anxieties or ask questions is of importance to, and valued by, learners.</div><div><br></div><div>We conclude that a programme of safeguarding training that provides multiple learning pathways offers the most appropriate and effective approach and that tutor-led safeguarding training is a necessary and important feature of a robust safeguarding programme for the sport sector. We also suggest that tutor-led training is important for the embedding of safeguarding within ‘normal’ coaching practice and wider sports culture.</div></div>