To ask the Minister for Communities whether there are any plans to update safeguarding training arrangements for sport organisations.

This issue is an operational matter for Sport NI, they have advised me as follows:

“Sport NI work in partnership with the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to provide a safeguarding advisory and guidance service for the sector, which includes the oversight of Safeguarding training. The NSPCC CPSU develop both the Safeguarding Children & Young People and Designated Officer workshops and facilitate the training of Sport NI tutor workforce. The NSPCC CPSU regularly reviews and updates the workshops, and any changes are communicated to the Tutors and the governing bodies who deliver their own training. Alongside this the NSPCC CPSU facilitates the Governing Body Forum which meets twice a year to discuss key areas and developments in respect of safeguarding.

In March 2026, Sport NI entered into a partnership with Volunteer Now to support the development and delivery of an Adult Safeguarding in Sport Service. Volunteer Now will work in collaboration with NSPCC CPSU in developing and delivering safeguarding training, policy and resources so that requests are not duplicated across Adult and Children Safeguarding.

Training policy and resources to be developed will include:

Work with funded partners to ensure they meet appropriate safeguarding standards and provide Sport NI with assurance regarding compliance. (Minimum 40 partners, e.g. governing bodies of sports).

Develop adult safeguarding-specific training for partner workforce.

Develop adult safeguarding-specific training for partner boards.

Adult safeguarding-specific training for Sport NI staff and Board Members.

Share learning, best practice, and case studies across the sector.

Advisory support for adult protection in sport-focused enquiry service for governing bodies, sporting sector, public and Sport NI.

Policy development for sector.

Provision of information resources for sharing with the sector.”