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Parents of over 1330 children now now that their coaches are qualified. With half term wrapping up, over 1,300 children are now covered through clubs that have signed up to become CoachGuard verified. That is 1,300 children whose parents can see clearer information around qualifications, safeguarding standards, and the people leading sessions. We are particularly encouraged that many of the clubs signing up are smaller, grassroots organisations. It shows that transparency is not about size, it is about standards. We also experienced our first real pushback this week, from a club aligned to a national division sport. The view shared was that there was no need to proactively share safeguarding or qualification information, as parents could simply ask. That response did not sit comfortably. Parents should not have to dig for basic information about who is leading sessions with their children. Visibility should be normal, not optional. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding. Perhaps it was resistance to change. Either way, the principle remains the same. We will continue promoting clearer standards, greater transparency, and better visibility, not only for the safety of children, but so parents are not paying for coaching delivered by individuals who may not be appropriately qualified for the role they are undertaking. We are always open to connecting with coaches and clubs who want to understand what we are doing and how simple it is to be part of it.

We have had some genuinely good conversations with children’s sports clubs who want to improve how clearly they show safeguarding, qualifications, and coach standards to parents. We are also proud to say our first club has signed up, which we will share more about in the coming weeks. One conversation stood out. A club overseeing roughly 300 to 500 children each week got in touch to understand what CoachGuard was trying to do. We talked through transparency, visibility, and why parents being able to see basic safeguarding information matters. The response was unexpected. A senior figure argued that it is unrealistic to expect session leaders to be fully qualified, and suggested that platforms like CoachGuard are destined to fail because clubs cannot supply qualified staff. This was not about volunteers or assistants, but about those leading sessions involving physical activity with children. That view should give people pause. Governing bodies do set standards and expectations, but the volume of clubs and activities means enforcement often relies on trust and self-regulation. That gap is exactly where inconsistency creeps in. As a parent, it made me stop and think. In a world where DBS checks are rightly discussed, why is it still uncomfortable to ask whether the people leading sessions are actually qualified for the role they are doing? This is not about blame. It is about standards, visibility, and normalising reasonable questions. Worth a wider conversation.

If you are a parent, guardian, or carer, you are trusting other adults with your child in a setting that matters. Sport and physical activity can be brilliant for children, but the basics still apply: the adults in charge should be suitable, trained, and properly supported. CoachGuard exists to make safeguarding and coach verification clearer, more consistent, and more visible for families and clubs across the UK. What is CoachGuard CoachGuard is a UK safeguarding and coach-verification platform for children’s sports clubs. In plain terms, it helps clubs keep key safeguarding information organised and up to date, and helps families see that a club is taking safeguarding seriously. That typically includes things like: Whether coaches have the right checks in place (for example, DBS where required) Whether coaches hold relevant qualifications for their role Whether safeguarding training is in place and current Whether the club has clear safeguarding policies and reporting routes Whether expectations for behaviour and conduct are set out and understood Different sports and organisations have different requirements, so CoachGuard is built to support clubs in showing what they do have in place, clearly and consistently. Why this matters for parents Most clubs are run by good people trying to do the right thing. The problem is not usually intention, it is inconsistency. Parents often struggle to get straightforward answers to basic questions: Who is responsible for safeguarding here? What checks and training do coaches have? What is the process if a child feels uncomfortable, or something does not look right? How do I raise a concern, and who will deal with it? Those are reasonable questions. A well-run club should expect them and welcome them. A quick note on DBS A DBS check can be an important part of safer recruitment, but it is not the full picture. It does not tell you whether someone is a good coach, whether they understand safeguarding, or whether a club has the right culture and reporting systems in place. Safeguarding is wider than a single check. It is about good standards, clear boundaries, and reliable processes. What parents should reasonably expect from a children’s sports club You should be able to find, or be given, clear answers to these without hassle: A named safeguarding lead (and how to contact them) A safeguarding policy that is easy to access Clear guidance on how concerns are raised and handled Coaches who are appropriately checked and trained for their role Sensible supervision, ratios, and behaviour standards A club culture where questions are not treated as an inconvenience This aligns with established UK safeguarding principles and guidance used across youth settings, including sport. Why transparency helps everyone When safeguarding is organised and visible: Parents feel more confident about where they are sending their child Clubs reduce risk by tightening processes and avoiding gaps Coaches are protected by clearer expectations and documentation Concerns are handled faster because reporting routes are obvious It is not about suspicion. It is about standards. What CoachGuard aims to change CoachGuard is designed to help clubs: Keep safeguarding admin straightforward and centralised Maintain clear records that are easy to review Show parents and the wider community that safeguarding is taken seriously Support a consistent baseline, even when clubs rely on volunteers and part-time staff For parents, the goal is simple: fewer unknowns, more clarity. What to expect from this blog This website will share short, practical posts aimed at parents and clubs, including: What good safeguarding looks like in youth sport What parents can reasonably ask, and why it is normal to ask it Why “we have DBS checks” is not the same as a safeguarding system How clubs can improve safeguarding without creating a mountain of work No scare tactics. No accusations. Just clear standards and practical guidance. Bottom line Safeguarding should not be hidden in a folder, or only mentioned when something goes wrong. It should be visible, normal, and part of how a club operates every week. That is what CoachGuard is here to support.