The latest evaluation report on the Sport Welfare Officer (SWO) Network has highlighted significant growth in engagement, collaboration, and positive culture change across community sport, reinforcing the vital role the network plays in strengthening safeguarding and welfare practices throughout England.
Published following an independent evaluation conducted by Ecorys, the report reflects on data gathered between October 2024 and February 2026, providing valuable insight into the continued development and impact of the programme. Funded by Sport England, the network now includes more than 60 Sport Welfare Officers, collectively supporting organisations and communities in every region of the country.
The findings demonstrate the increasing reach and influence of the network, with Sport Welfare Officers helping clubs, organisations, coaches, volunteers and participants create safer, more inclusive sporting environments. The report also identifies growing levels of engagement, stronger partnership working, and encouraging evidence of cultural change within community sport settings.
A recently published summary of the evaluation showcases data and statistics gathered between September 2025 and February 2026, highlighting the network’s expanding impact and the value of local welfare support. The full article can be viewed on the Active Partnerships website. Click here for the report summary article and link to the report.
Locally, the programme continues to make a meaningful difference to sports clubs and organisations, helping them develop stronger safeguarding processes and creating environments where everyone can participate with confidence.
Heading up this local rollout of the programme are our Development Manager for Sports Welfare, Seona Deuchar and Sport Welfare Officer Chris Timmins. To learn more about the role of the Sport Welfare Officer Network and its impact at club level, you can watch the short video at the beginning of this article featuring Sport Welfare Officer Chris Timmins discussing his work with Birmingham Hockey Club 1932 and the benefits the network brings to local sport. You can also check out the Sport Birmingham Welfare and Safeguarding page here.
Following the publication of the SWO Network report, Seona commented:
Working on this programme has been an absolute joy and this report shows on scale what we know in our community – that clubs want to work with us, and we do great work together. So far, we have invested over £12,000 into communities, supported over 100 clubs, and rolled out 14 initiatives across the city. We’re excited to keep using our knowledge, resource, and funding to support clubs across Birmingham to become more inclusive, identify what makes them welcoming, and set an example of what welfare practice means in action.
We look forward to continuing to support clubs, volunteers and participants across the region as the Sport Welfare Officer Network grows and develops in the years ahead.