What is NSPCC Sport (formerly the CPSU), and does it cover Scotland?
- UK
- NSPCC Sport (CPSU)
- Safeguarding
- DBS
- Disclosure Scotland PVG
- AccessNI
- Youth sport (under 18)
- 2026
- Volunteers
- Coaches
NSPCC Sport is the new name (from mid-2026) for the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), set up in 2001. The mission is unchanged. It is funded by the UK sports councils and works with national governing bodies (NGBs), Active Partnerships and other sport organisations to help them keep children safe. It publishes the safeguarding guidance used in this FAQ, on messaging, transport, supervision ratios and photography.
Where it works: England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What it doesn't do: it doesn't investigate cases and has no regulatory power over clubs or NGBs. Concerns about a child go through your club and NGB, or to the police or children's services.
Scotland: child safeguarding support for Scottish sport comes from the Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport (CWPS) service, a partnership between Children 1st and sportscotland. Scottish clubs should follow their NGB's safeguarding policy, which may differ in detail from the NSPCC Sport guidance here.
Updated 21 Oct 2026