THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF MINORS IN SPORT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

In the United Kingdom (UK), the legal protection of minors, that is, persons under the age of 18, in sport focuses on safeguarding them from abuse and harm and applies and enforces a duty of care on sports organisations and coaches.

This is achieved through statutory legislation, National Governing Body (NGB) policies, and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).

All sports clubs must have safeguarding policies, safer recruitment through DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks on individuals’ criminal convictions and cautions, and Codes of Conduct.

All adults, who are in positions of trust, are under a legal and moral obligation to protect children and ensure that their welfare is paramount.

Legislation applies to prevent adults, such as coaches, from engaging in sexual relationships with minors.

Also, the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) in association with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), which was founded in 1883, works to help sports bodies to minimise risks, train staff, and implement safer practices (see later).

These measures are designed to act in the best interests of minors, including safe changing rooms, transport policies, and online safety.

Whilst minors may enter into sports contracts, they have the legal right to cancel them, which, although this may leave sports clubs in a precarious position, this right protects minors from exploitation.

All these protections operate within the wider legal framework of the UK child protection laws, for example, the Children Act of 1989 and 2004. Organisations must ensure that child welfare takes priority regardless of age, gender, ability, or background, as noted in the  England Sports Group Safeguarding Policy.

In view of its practical and legal importance, we reproduce below the text of the latest version of the NSPCC/CPSU Policy on the protection of minors in sport in the UK:

Duty of care in sport and physical activity

Last updated: 15 Sept 2025

Duty of care is a legal and moral obligation to protect others from harm. When children and young people are involved in organised sport or physical activity, the adults in charge have a duty to take reasonable care to ensure the young people’s safety and welfare. 

The welfare of children and young people is of paramount importance, and duty of care is a reflection of this. Duty of care allows us to be child-centred and make decisions in the best interests of young people.

The definition of duty of care in sport

To fulfil its duty of care, a sports organisation or activity provider needs to take reasonable measures to make sure activities are safe for everyone. Duty of care may be imposed by common law or statute, contract, or acceptance by an individual.

There’s a duty of care if there is a formal relationship, such as between a club and a club member, an activity provider and participant, or a coach and an athlete. This duty occurs in two ways:

• Moral duty of care – a responsibility for safety and welfare
• Legal duty of care – there’s a legal duty of care for safeguarding, and health and safety

From a safeguarding perspective, sports clubs and activity providers have a legal responsibility to make sure there are robust safeguarding measures in place. This includes:

• safeguarding arrangements, policies and procedures
• collaboration with local safeguarding partnerships and agencies
• adequate reporting and referral processes
• safeguarding training for staff and volunteers.

Sports organisations could be held liable for failing to meet the legal duty of care if an incident occurred, and it could be proved that the risk was foreseeable, but no action was taken to avoid it.

Duty of care and children and young people in a club or sports activity

Anyone in charge of children and young people involved in a sports club or physical activity has a duty of care, similar to that of a teacher in charge of a class of children of the same age. They are sometimes described as ‚in loco parentis‘, or acting in place of a parent.

The expected standard of care is that of a ‚reasonable and prudent parent‘ or carer – someone who is careful and thoughtful in the way they make decisions. If supervision falls below this standard, and a child is hurt, the adult may be considered negligent.

You should take steps to demonstrate a reasonable standard of care. For example:

• keep up-to-date registers of attendance
• keep up-to-date records of contact details
• maintain appropriate supervision ratios
• maintain up-to-date information on medical conditions, making sure the relevant people have immediate access to this when needed
• make sure first aid provision is available
• make sure that those responsible for supervising young people have been through safe recruitment processes, and follow relevant policies
• carry out risk assessments, including health and safety

It’s also considered reasonable to follow guidance, advice or directions provided by a sports body or other relevant organisation. Many sports and activity providers, affiliate bodies and commissioners have their own policies, procedures and best practice guidance on their own websites.

Duty of care briefing

This briefing clarifies what duty of care (PDF) means for sports organisations and activity providers, with detailed guidance on how to demonstrate that this duty is being met.

Author: NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)
Published: 2025

As will be appreciated, the legal protection of minors in sport in the UK at all levels is a very important and complex matter.

For further information and advice, email our International Sports Law Consultant, Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw, at blackshaw@valloni.ch.