Our staff are highly-trained and support with concerns about safety or welfare.
Our staff are highly-trained on safeguarding matters, and can provide support if an athlete has concerns about their or someone else’s safety or welfare. Everyone deserves to engage in safe sport, free from harm, so we work to promote safeguarding across the system.
When standards aren’t met, we can help. But if you’re reading this because you have immediate concerns over the safety of yourself or another individual, you must contact the emergency services on 999.
So, what happens when you reach out to the BEAA with a safeguarding concern? Most importantly, we’ll always try to help.
That might be direct, end-to-end support with your issue through a dedicated Athlete Support Manager, or signposting to someone else who can help you.
We’ll always be there for our members. Find out what happens when you contact us below.
If you have immediate concerns over the safety of yourself or another individual, please contact the emergency services on 999.
If not, and you contact us, one of our Athlete Support Managers will respond, usually via email, within one working day.
We will arrange a time to speak to you over the phone to understand your request in your words and ensure we can provide the best support possible. We seek to create a psychologically safe space to build trust and rapport before we begin advising on next steps.
If your issue is about your safety or someone else’s safety, we follow statutory processes, which may involve a referral to the police, a Local Authority Designated Officer, or the children’s services. This will be done with your consent where possible, and we will provide ongoing confidential advice and support.
We ask you to sign a service-level agreement, and provide support or signposting tailored to your needs. When the time comes to speak with your sport, we have the relationships to do that with you or for you.
We can remain available for as long as you need, including once your concern has been dealt with or you have been referred to another organisation.
Your questions answered
How can I access mental health support outside the BEAA?
As an elite athlete, you’re entitled to mental health support through the Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS). As well as accessing this through the BEAA, you can go via your sport or the UK Sports Institute.
- Through your sport: The standard route is through your sport's doctor. But your doctor doesn't need to be your first point of contact – this may be your psychologist, Performance Lifestyle practitioner, coach, teammate, or anyone else you feel comfortable enough to confide in.
- Through the UK Sports Institute: If you would prefer to seek support via the AMS separately from your sport you can speak to a UK Sports Institute doctor. Contact your local site to arrange an appointment.
If you need support outside the high-performance sports system, please contact:
- Your GP: Outside of sport your GP is usually the first port-of-call if you have any concerns about your mental health. You should also keep them aware of any other support you're receiving.
- NHS Talking Therapies: This is an NHS online self referral programme. Search 'NHS Talking Therapies' for more information.
I don’t think the BEAA can support me. Who should I turn to?
If you’re unsure whether we can help you or not, we encourage you to reach out regardless and we can advise. If we can’t, we will do our best to refer you to the right body.
You can also find a list of useful organisations by clicking below.