While safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone within the club (led by the whole committee), having a club welfare officer ensures the club has a dedicated person with the primary responsibility for managing and reporting concerns about children or adults at risk.

Club Welfare Officers play a key role in ensuring that that club members have a safe and positive experience at their club.  Welfare Officers are key to all members knowing what to do and who to speak to if they have a safeguarding or discipline or conduct concern.

They are also key to managing lower-level club issues and disputes, and/or flagging concerns for early intervention to prevent escalation and behaviours which prevent enjoyment of the sport.  Welfare Officers also form part of the club committee and perform a key role in implementing good safeguarding governance locally at your club.