Mandatory gates
Ten universal safety and integrity requirements apply across formal awards. Diamond adds four higher-assurance gates. An applicable gate failure blocks the award regardless of score.
The Standard · requirements browser
See what changes from Bronze to Diamond.
One framework grows through four maturity levels. This page makes the architecture inspectable now, while the complete eighty-requirement draft remains under clinical, safeguarding and council validation.
Draft architecture—public. Final requirement wording—not yet approved.
Thresholds and examples are working specifications for expert challenge, not a shortcut to claiming an award.
The framework in one view
Safety gates, maturity requirements and evidence.
Twenty indicators
Five pillars contain four indicators each. Every indicator is examined at the maturity level claimed, producing eighty level-specific requirement positions in the complete draft.
Assurance depth
The evidence journey grows from desk review and sampling to staff interviews, confidential athlete corroboration, remote audit, on-site work and independent panel decision.
The maturity ladder
Higher levels must prove a different kind of reality.
Bronze
Stated foundations
A named owner, defined responsibility or approved policy exists and covers the published scope.
Silver
Operational systems
People can use the system: it is communicated, resourced and supported by current implementation records.
Gold
Systematic practice
Operation is consistent, monitored and corrected. Remote audit and athlete corroboration test the claim.
Diamond
Embedded and verified
Practice is independently corroborated across leadership, staff, records, athletes and an on-site stage.
Four examples
What progression looks like in practice.
These examples explain the direction of the draft. They do not replace the version-controlled requirement text or its acceptable-evidence guidance.
| Example | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to support | A route and responsible owner are defined. | The route is communicated and staff can explain it. | Use, waiting times and barriers are monitored and improved. | Athletes independently confirm they can access it without career penalty. |
| Crisis response | A current escalation protocol and contacts exist. | Relevant staff are trained and exercises are recorded. | Responses and exercises are reviewed for effectiveness. | On-site testing and interviews corroborate readiness across the scope. |
| Athlete voice | A safe feedback route and non-retaliation commitment exist. | Athletes know the route and concerns receive tracked responses. | Themes influence decisions and leadership reviews outcomes. | Independent athlete evidence confirms voice has practical influence. |
| Leadership accountability | A senior owner and reporting duty are named. | Governance receives regular information and records decisions. | Targets, gaps and corrective action are monitored systematically. | The audit traces accountability from the board to athlete experience. |
All twenty indicators
Every pillar advances through the same ladder.
Applicability can be routed by organisation type, size and activity, but applicants cannot remove an inconvenient indicator themselves.
P01
Athlete Support Systems
- P1.1 · Access to qualified professionals
Provision is qualified, available and proportionate to the organisation. - P1.2 · Awareness and communication
Every athlete is proactively told what support exists. - P1.3 · Check-ins and referral pathways
Wellbeing check-ins and routes to care are defined and used. - P1.4 · Confidential access
Athletes can seek support without unnecessary coaching involvement.
P02
Staff Training & Awareness
- P2.1 · Training coverage
Training reaches coaches, staff, volunteers and relevant departments. - P2.2 · Recognition and response skills
Staff can recognise concern and respond without diagnosing. - P2.3 · Designated mental-health lead
A named, trained person owns coordination and escalation. - P2.4 · Training cadence and referral skills
Skills are refreshed and referral knowledge remains current.
P03
Policy, Governance & Accountability
- P3.1 · Written wellbeing policy
A current, accessible policy defines commitments and boundaries. - P3.2 · Leadership accountability
A governing or executive owner is answerable for delivery. - P3.3 · Dedicated budget
Resources are allocated to make provision real. - P3.4 · Athlete voice and policy review
Athletes shape provision and leadership closes the feedback loop.
P04
Crisis Response & Safeguarding
- P4.1 · Crisis response protocol
A documented, rehearsed protocol covers foreseeable crises. - P4.2 · Safeguarding officer and incident process
A trained officer owns a visible, non-retaliatory reporting process. - P4.3 · External crisis partnerships
Relationships with qualified external services are established. - P4.4 · Frontline and athlete readiness
Athletes know how to report; frontline staff know what to do.
P05
Culture & Environment
- P5.1 · Anti-stigma and openness
The organisation actively makes help-seeking safe and ordinary. - P5.2 · Transition support
Athletes are supported through deselection, injury and leaving sport. - P5.3 · Workload and wellbeing balance
Training and organisational load decisions consider wellbeing. - P5.4 · Climate assessment and reporting
Experience is measured and findings lead to visible improvement.
What happens next
The full requirement set must be challenged before it can govern anyone.
Clinical, safeguarding, legal and athlete experts must review wording, applicability, evidence and failure consequences. Council approval, consultation, translation control and version history come before formal awards open.