Welfare Officers

Houghton Harriers and Athletics Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes it is important that members, coaches, officers and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect, be encouraged to be open and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the designated Welfare Officers.

As a member of Houghton Harriers and Athletics Club they are expected to:

• respect coaches, officials and volunteers and their decisions;
• treat others with the same respect and fairness that they would expect themselves;
• uphold the same values off the field as they do when engaged in athletics;
• show patience with and respect diversity in others;
• keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late;
• notify a responsible adult if they have to go somewhere (why, where and when they will return);
• inform their coach of any other coaching they receive or other sports involvement, including at school;
• wear suitable kit – sturdy running shoes (fashion training shoes are not suitable), shorts or tracksuit bottoms (no jeans or baggy trousers), T shirt or sweatshirt plus suitable warm clothing to change into after training;
• use safe transport or travel arrangements;
• pay any fees for training or events promptly;
• not respond if someone seeks private information, unrelated to athletics e.g. home life;
• avoid destructive behaviour and leave athletics venues as they find them;
• never engage in any illegal or irresponsible behaviour;
• challenge anyone whose behaviour falls below the expected standards of ‘athletics welfare’;
• not smoke or consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on club premises, during club training sessions or whilst representing the club at competitions;
• speak out immediately if anything makes them concerned or uncomfortable or if they suspect a club mate has suffered from misconduct by someone else (by telling their parent/guardian and/or a Club Welfare Officer)

The Welfare Officer will:

• Deal with confidential matters that may arise related to athletes and have an understanding and an appropriate way to such matters.
• Be responsible for the promotion of codes of conduct to members, parents and young people.
• Receive, record and pass on to the NGB Child Protection officer, any concerns relating to the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults
• To provide advice on the development of activities for young people within the club/organisation.
• Support the registration of all personnel involved in activities for young people with the club/organisation (CRB checks).
• Recognise the difference between poor practice in according to club rules and matters that would be seen as welfare issue.

Welfare Officer 1:

Name      Linda Welch  
Linda can be found at training or contacted on

Email  linda.amy@hotmail.co.uk 

Phone Number  07866 046 309

Welfare Officer 2:

Name:    Simon Leonard
Simon can be found at training or contacted on

Email :    sjklleo@hotmail.com