Podium is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its staff, volunteers, programme participants and other people who come into contact with Podium through its range of activities.

Podium has a vision to create a safer world of sport, ensuring more people can play sport for longer, and has a clear mission to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of injury in sport. To effect change, Podium is establishing the Podium Analytics Institute for Youth Sports Medicine and Technology at the University of Oxford which will undertake research into injury within sport, with an initial focus on young people aged between 11 and 18 years old in the UK.

Podium will need to work closely with schools, sports clubs, national governing bodies and other organisations to collect data from those playing sport between the ages of 11 and 18. This initial focus on 11 to 18 year olds means that safeguarding is of paramount importance to Podium as it conducts its activities.

All children and vulnerable adults regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse, and Podium will not tolerate abuse of any kind.

Podium has established 8 key principles which underpin our Safeguarding Policy and define how we will operate in our duty to protect children and vulnerable adults:

1. Podium has a responsibility to children and vulnerable adults who are either employees of Podium or participate in programmes, activities or events organised or hosted by Podium, or in any other interactions. No child or vulnerable adult must suffer harm, intentional or unintentional, as a result of their engagement, association or contact with Podium.
2. The human rights of children and vulnerable adults will be respected and applied to all irrespective of age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, race, language, religious or political beliefs, marital status, disability, physical or mental health, family, socio-economic or cultural background, class, any history of conflict with the law or any other aspect of their background or identity. Inequality, exclusion, and discrimination will be challenged and will not be tolerated.
3. All children and vulnerable adults should be empowered and encouraged to participate in sport.
4. Podium will provide children and vulnerable adults with information and support to help keep themselves safe and report any concerns.
5. Podium is open and transparent and will hold itself to account for its commitment to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding concerns can be raised and discussed, poor practice and inappropriate behaviour challenged and addressed, and the safeguarding measures continuously reviewed and strengthened to ensure accountability to children, vulnerable adults and their families.
6. Podium will act on safeguarding concerns in line with its Safeguarding Policy.
7. Podium will ensure that all partner organisations it works and collaborates with adhere to safeguarding standards that meet the requirements of Podium's Safeguarding Policy.
8. Podium will ensure its employees and volunteers are supported and are provided with safeguarding training and development opportunities relevant to their role.

The Board of Trustees has approved Podium's Safeguarding Policy.

Podium have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (“DSL”) who is responsible for all aspects of safeguarding within Podium and will act as a source of support, advice and expertise to staff on matters of safeguarding. The DSL will liaise with outside agencies to support the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults where necessary.

Podium requires staff, trustees and volunteers of Podium working in eligible roles to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) check prior to working in those roles. Where the DBS check highlights any relevant information, a risk assessment is carried out to determine their suitability for the role.

For more information or any enquiries, please contact us