Safeguarding Policy
Contents
Purpose and Scope
Roles and Responsibilities
Duty of care
Contact
Definitions
1. Purpose and Scope
Everyone has a responsibility for safeguarding the welfare of young people and Adults at Risk this is no less the case in netball. This Policy sets out Diamonds Coaching approach to fulfilling our commitment to creating and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone who take part in our sessions
We believe that;
Children, young people and Adults at Risk should never experience abuse of any kind.
We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and Adults at Risk to keep them safe, and to practice in a way that protects them.
We recognise that:
All children and Adults at Risk, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
Some children and Adults at Risk are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
Working in partnership with Adults at Risk, children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep children, young people and Adults at Risk safe by:
Valuing, listening to and respecting them
Appointing a nominated Safeguarding lead
Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our code of conduct for volunteers and players
Recruiting and selecting volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
Recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
Making sure that children and young people know where to go for help if they have a concern.
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and dealing effectively with any bullying that does arise.
Ensuring that we provide a safe physical and emotional environment for children, young people and Adults at Risk, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with regulatory guidance
Building a safeguarding culture where volunteers, Adults at Risk, children & young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
2. Roles, Responsibilities & Requirements
The Safeguarding Officer is the person with primary responsibility for managing and reporting concerns about abuse or poor practice. It is important however to highlight that Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and everyone should remain vigilant and challenge any concerning behaviour.
It is important to work with others in the club to;
To promote awareness of the Codes of Conduct for staff, volunteers, coaches, parents and members (Child and Adult).
To ensure that safe recruitment and induction procedures within the club are followed by all coaches and volunteers.
To ensure that, where necessary, all coaches and volunteers have an up-to-date EN Enhanced DBS Disclosure Check, which is renewed every three years.
All coaches have the necessary safeguard training (UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children training) and this is renewed every 3 years.
To be the first point of contact for club staff, volunteers, members, children, adults and parents for any issues concerning child welfare or Adults at Risk, poor practice and potential or alleged abuse.
To work with the EN LSO when concerns arise and ensure that all incidents are recorded and reported correctly via the Online Reporting Form or via Besafe@englandnetball.co.uk
To Follow the EN Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure
To ensure concerns are referred on promptly to the relevant agency when necessary (Local Authority Children’s Board, Adult Social Care, Police, Ambulance
To ensure confidentiality is maintained and information is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
3. Contact
Safeguarding Officer contact details:
Laura Faulkner – E: laurafaulkner78@hotmail.com T. 07824 70069
4. Definitions
Adult at Risk - This term illustrates that it is the circumstances that people with care and support needs are in that causes them to be at risk of abuse or neglect.
An “adult at risk” is an individual aged 18 years or over who:
(a) has needs for care and support, who is
(b) experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect; and
(c) is unable to safeguard or protect themselves.
In a sporting context, clubs and event organisers may work with:
(i) People who have a physical disability, whether from birth or acquired through injury, illness or advancing age, ranging from those who can train and compete independently but need some assistance in transition, to those who depend on others for physical care and support
(ii) People who are blind or visually impaired, who may need to be guided around a course or at training
(iii) People who are deaf or hearing impaired, whose needs are largely connected to communication and inclusion
(iv) People who have learning disabilities or who for some other reason (e.g. brain injury, dementia) may not have the capacity to make independent decisions or to assess risk.
(v) People who are at risk due to a specific circumstance they may find themselves in, for example: domestic abuse, forced marriage, sexual or commercial or financial exploitation.
Although many of the good practice guidelines and principles to be followed when safeguarding children also apply to adults, there is a key difference. In the case of a child, there is a clear duty to act if we suspect that the child has been harmed or is at risk of harm. In the case of an adult, the starting assumption must always be that an adult has the capacity to make a decision and has the right to do so unless it can be established that they lack capacity.