Duty of Care to Participants
A coach or activity leader is responsible for the physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of participants while they are in their care – this is known as having duty of care. Coaches must create a safe environment, minimise risk, and act in the best interests of every participant at all times.
The following checklist covers processes and procedures which your organisation should have in place to ensure that everyone remains safe before, during and after your dodgeball sessions:
Safeguarding at Sessions – A Checklist
- Pre-event: Risk assessment completed; emergency contacts accessible by event organisers.
- During the match: Supervision maintained; appropriate coach–participant ratio; any signs of distress noted.
- If something is of concern: Record facts, inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead, secure the participant’s safety.
- After incident: Follow up with safeguarding lead, complete incident forms, review practice to prevent recurrence.
- Post-match: Record any issues and speak to anyone relevant if required.
Duty of Care to Yourself
Coaches often pour their energy into athletes, teams and organisations, but the role carries its own pressures, risks, and responsibilities. Your first duty of care is to ensure you yourself are safe, well, and able to perform your role sustainably. When a coach looks after themselves, they protect not only their own wellbeing but also the quality and safety of the environment they create for others.
Why a Coach’s Own Wellbeing Matters
- Mental Health and Emotional Resilience
- A coach’s mindset directly shapes the mood of a session. When coaches are stressed, burnt out, or emotionally overloaded, it becomes harder to make sound decisions; respond calmly to challenging behaviour; manage conflict; and maintain professional boundaries.
- A coach who protects their mental health models healthy behaviour for athletes and reduces the risk of poor judgement or unsafe practice.
- Personal Safety and Risk Awareness
- Coaches have a right — and a responsibility — to keep themselves physically safe. This includes avoiding unnecessary physical demonstrations that risk injury; using appropriate equipment and safe spaces; maintaining professional boundaries to avoid unsafe or compromising situations; and ensuring they are not left alone in high‑risk environments.
- A coach who is injured, isolated, or placed in a vulnerable position cannot fulfil their duty of care to participants.
- Preventing Burnout
- Coaching can be emotionally demanding: long hours, weekend commitments, travel, parent expectations, performance pressure, and administrative load. Burnout leads to reduced patience and empathy; increased likelihood of making mistakes; withdrawal from the role; negative interactions with athletes; and poor safeguarding decisions.
- Sustainable coaching requires pacing, rest, and realistic expectations.
- Professional Identity and Boundaries
- Coaches who look after themselves are better able to avoid over‑involvement in athletes’ personal lives; recognise when issues exceed their role; refer concerns appropriately; and maintain clear boundaries
- This protects both the coach and the participants.
