Safeguarding Protection Policy and Code of Practice
‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’
Policy Statement
Chipstead Sailing Club (CSC) is committed to implementing safeguarding measures against physical, psychological, financial, discriminatory, sexual or emotional harm, neglect or bullying of those taking part in any of its activities.
CSC will take all reasonable steps to ensure that through appropriate procedures and training, it offers those participating in Club activities an opportunity to do so in a safe and fun environment. We recognise that the safety, welfare and needs of participants are paramount and that all participants irrespective of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation or social status including any characteristic protected by the Equalities Act 2010, have a right to protection from discrimination and abuse.
CSC will respond swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected or actual abuse. As defined in the Children Act 1989, for the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child. In this policy the terms ‘children’ and ‘young people’ are both used, recognising that older teenagers may prefer not to be referred to as ‘children’ although, they are still in the eyes of the law.
The Care Act 2014 defines ‘Adults at Risk’ as people aged 18 or over who need care or support, and because of those needs are unable to always safeguard themselves. The policy also applies to Adults at Risk or vulnerable adults. All members of the Club should be aware of this policy.
CSC will create a safe and welcoming environment, both on and off the water, where participants can have fun and develop their skills and confidence. CSC adopts the RYA mission statement of ‘Safe, fun, learning.’ We will treat all with respect, dignity, celebrate their achievements and listen to their views and experiences. This policy will be kept under periodic review and implemented by a set of processes, procedures and guidelines. The procedure for following up a formal complaint is provided in Appendix 10.
N.B. CSC requires that children under the age of 18 years are the responsibility of their Parents or Guardian whilst using the water and facilities of the club. Children under the age of 16 using the water and facilities of the Club must have a Parent or Guardian on the Club premises at all such times. No child under 7 years of age shall be allowed on the Lake in any form of craft unless accompanied by an Adult over 18 years of age. If a parent or guardian is not able to be always present when their child is at the club, it is the responsibility of said parent/legal guardian to nominate an adult who is authorised by them to act on their behalf should such action be required and complete the Legal Guardian Nominee Form. (Appendix 7)
The General Committee of the Club will appoint a Club Safeguarding Officer whose role is:
- To maintain this policy and associated procedures compatible with RYA policy and procedures.
- To ensure that relevant volunteers are aware of and follow the procedures, including implementing safe recruitment procedures.
- To advise the General Committee of safeguarding issues.
- Maintain contact details for local Children and Adult Services and the Police.
If there are concerns:
- Be the first point of contact for any concerns or allegations, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained in all cases.
- Decide on the appropriate action to be taken, in line with the organisation’s procedures and in conjunction with the person in charge (Commodore, Training Principal, Chief Instructor, Class Captain etc.)
- Keep the RYA Informed as necessary.
- The RYA designated person is the RYA Safeguarding and Equality Manager. Tel 0238 060 4104 email: safeguarding@rya.org.uk or RYA Safeguarding Manager 0238 060 4226
- The Club Safeguarding Officer is Maggie Bolton, (mob. 07746964482, e-mail safeguarding@ chipsteadsc.org.uk).
Instructors and Volunteers
The Club Safeguarding Officer and those who are instructing, coaching, running club activities or supervising adults at risk, children and young people will also be required to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure, with Barred List check if appropriate. The club asks these persons for an update/renewal of the DBS certificate every three years. They will also be asked to provide a self-disclosure form annually. (Appendix 4).
Chipstead SC understands that it is an offence to allow someone to undertake regulated activity/work if they have been barred from working with the relevant vulnerable group. There is a risk that determined known offenders who are no longer able to work undetected in the statutory sector may move into the voluntary and sports sectors. If groups from local schools come to our site, a school may request that we check your instructors or volunteers so that they are subject to the same level of scrutiny as the children’s teachers.
An individual is only eligible to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure, which will disclose their ‘spent’ as well as their ‘unspent’ record, if they will be in a position listed under the exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, i.e., one that involves regularly teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising persons under 18. They can only be required to apply for the additional Barred List check if they will be undertaking ‘regulated activity’ with children or vulnerable adults as defined under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
Chipstead SC ensures that all those involved in the recruitment process have received appropriate guidance and training on the relevant legislation relating to volunteering of ex-offenders, e.g., Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and are aware that they can seek guidance from the RYA if required. If in doubt regarding the suitability of ex-offenders, guidance will always be sought from the RYA.
Good Practice
All members of CSC should follow Good Practice guidelines (Appendix 1) and agree to abide by the Club Code of Conduct (Appendix 2). A Good Practice Guide handout is available for all Instructors and Volunteers. Those working with adults at risk and young people should be aware of the guidance on recognising abuse (Appendix 3) as set out in the CSC Recognising Abuse Policy. In addition, all members of CSC must be aware of and agree to the Online Safety and Social Media Policy (Appendix 11) and its Best Practice Guidelines for Communicating with Juniors (members under the age of 18). These are included as Appendix 12 of this document.
Changing and toilet area requirements must be noted:
Changing areas at CSC are limited and therefore are single sex and any supervision of children which is required must be undertaken by someone of the same sex. If a mother/father needs to supervise her/his own child of the opposite sex, then this must be done in the disabled/unisex toilet. Children of the opposite sex, under the age of seven, are allowed on the changing area ONLY when accompanied by a parent of the appropriate sex for that changing area.
Children must always be accompanied in the changing area by a parent or a guardian who can be nominated.
Children on RYA Junior courses, KSSA and school group bookings will have exclusive access to the changing rooms and therefore can be unaccompanied. Adults must use the disabled/unisex facilities. This does not apply to Saturday Junior club where children must be accompanied due to other adult club activities being undertaken at the club.
If it is essential, in an emergency, for a male to enter a female changing area or vice versa, it is advised that they are accompanied by another adult of the opposite sex. The adults entering need to alert the children in advance to give children the opportunity to cover up.
No adults should stand in the changing room watching children and young people or go in and out repeatedly without good reason.
The use of mobile phones and/or electronic equipment with photography/video recording capabilities is prohibited in changing facilities.
CSC will seek written consent from the child and their parents/carers before taking photos or video at an event or training session or publishing such images. Parents and spectators should be prepared to identify themselves if requested and state their purpose for photography/filming. If the Club publishes images of children, no identifying information other than first names will be included. Any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography or the inappropriate use of images should be reported to the CSC Club Safeguarding Officer
Concerns
Anyone who is concerned about a participant’s welfare, either outside the sport or within the Club, should inform the Club Safeguarding Officer immediately, in strict confidence. The CSC Club Safeguarding Officer will follow the prescribed procedures.
Any member of the Club failing to comply with the Safeguarding Adults policy and any relevant Codes of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action under Club Rule 15.
This policy will be kept under regular review and will be reviewed at the very least annually.
Appendix 1: Good Practice Guide for Instructors, Coaches and Volunteers
The Essential points of Good Practice.
This guide only covers the essential points of good practice when working with adults at risk and children and young people. You should also read the Chipstead Sailing Club’s (CSC) Safeguarding Protection Policy and Code of Practice (which are circulated to training Centre Instructors and Volunteers annually) which are available for reference at all times.
- Avoid spending any significant time working with adults at risk or children in isolation and always try to work in an open environment in view of others.
- Do not take adults at risk or children alone in a car, however short the journey.
- Do not take children or adults at risk away from the CSC premises (which includes Chipstead Lake).
- Where any of these are unavoidable, ensure that they only occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge at CSC or the child’s parents or the adult at risks carers.
- Design training programmes that are within the ability of the individual.
- If the adult at risk or child is having difficulty with a wetsuit or buoyancy aid, ask them to ask a friend to help if at all possible.
- If you do have to help an adult at risk or child, make sure you are in full view of others, preferably another adult.
- Restrict communications with adults at risk or young people via mobile phone, email or social media to group communications about organisational matters. If it’s essential to send an individual message, copy it to the child’s parent or carer, or if these are not available, to the Training Principal (training@chipsteadsc.org.uk)
- Always communicate clearly in whatever way best suits the individual, and check their understanding and expectations.
You should never
- Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
- Allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form.
- Allow use of inappropriate language unchallenged, or use such language yourself when with children or adults at risk.
- Make sexually suggestive comments, in any circumstance.
- Fail to respond to an allegation made by an adult at risk or a child. You must always act.
- Do things of a personal nature that adults at risk or children can do for themselves.
It may sometimes be necessary to do things of a personal nature to help someone with a physical or learning disability or for children; particularly if they are very young or disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of the individual (where possible) and their parents, guardians and carers. In an emergency situation which requires this type of help, parents, guardians and carers should be fully informed. In such situations it is important to ensure that any adult present is sensitive to the individual and undertakes personal care tasks with the utmost discretion.
Appendix 2: Club Code of Conduct
It is the policy of Chipstead Sailing Club that all members, participants, coaches, instructors, officials, parents and volunteers show respect and understanding for each other, treat everyone equally within the context of the sport and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the club/class. The aim is for all members and participants to enjoy their sport and to improve performance.
Abusive language, swearing, intimidation, aggressive behaviour, or lack of respect for others and their property will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action.
Participants
- Listen to and accept what you are asked to do to improve your performance and keep you safe.
- Respect other members, participants, coaches, instructors, officials and volunteers.
- Abide by the rules and play fairly.
- Do your best at all times.
- Never bully others either in person, by phone, by text or online.
- Take care of all property belonging to other members, participants, the club or its members.
Parents, Guardians and Carers
- Support the participant’s involvement and help them enjoy their sport.
- Help the participant to recognise good performance, not just results.
- Never force the participant to take part in sport.
- Never punish or belittle the participant for losing or making mistakes.
- Encourage and guide the participant to accept responsibility for their own conduct and performance.
- Respect and support the coach or instructor.
- Acceptofficials’ judgements and recognise good performance by all participants.
- Use established procedures where there is a genuine concern or dispute.
- Inform the club organisers of relevant medical information.
- Ensure that the participant wears suitable clothing and has appropriate food and drink.
- Provide contact details and be available when required.
- Take responsibility for the participant’s safety and conduct in and around the clubhouse and grounds.
- Children under the age of 18 years are the responsibility of their Parents or Guardian whilst using the water and facilities of the club. Children under the age of 16 using the water and facilities of the Club must have a Parent or Guardian on the Club premises at all such times.
- No child under 7 years of age shall be allowed on the Lake in any form of craft unless accompanied by an Adult over 18 years of age, who, if not the child’s parent or grandparent, has the specific permission of such parent or grandparent, to take the child on the Lake.
- Accept that adult participants have a right to take risks and to take decisions about their welfare, unless they lack the capacity to do so as defined by the Mental Health Act 2005.
Coaches, Instructors, Officials and Volunteers.
- Consider the welfare and safety of members and participants before the development of performance.
- Encourage members and participants to value their performance and not just results.
- Promote fair play and never condone cheating.
- Ensure that all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
- Build relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
- Work in an open environment.
- Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
- Be an excellent role model and display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke when working directly with young people or adults at risk.
- Communicate clearly with parents, guardians, carers, participants and members.
- Be aware of any relevant medical information.
- Follow RYA and club/class guidelines and policies.
- Holders of RYA Instructor and Coach qualifications must also comply with the RYA Code of Conduct. Appendix 8 of this document.
- Holders of RYA Race Official appointments must also comply with the RYA Race Officials Code of Conduct. Appendix 9 of this document.
If you are concerned that someone is not following the Code of Conduct, you should inform the Club Safeguarding Officer or the person in charge of the activity.
Appendix 3: Chipstead Sailing Club Abuse Policy.
What is abuse? Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment. Somebody may abuse or neglect by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Persons may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (including via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.
Physical abuse, may involve adults or other children inflicting physical harm:
- Hitting, shaking, slapping, pushing, restraining, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating or inappropriate physical sanctions.
- Giving alcohol or inappropriate drugs.
- A parent or carer fabricating the symptoms of, or deliberately inducing, illness.
- In sport situations, physical abuse might also occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body.
Emotional abuse is persistent emotional maltreatment, such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on emotional development. It may involve:
- Conveying to the person they are worthless, unloved or inadequate.
- Not giving the person opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate.
- Imposing expectations which are beyond the person’s age or developmental capability.
- Overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the person’s participating in normal social interaction.
- Allowing them to see or hear the ill-treatment of another person.
- Serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing the person frequently to feel frightened or in danger.
- Exploitation or corruption.
- Emotional abuse in sport might also include situations where the person is subject to constant criticism, bullying or pressure to perform at a level that cannot realistically be expected to achieve. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment.
Sexual abuse: involves an individual (male or female, or a child) forcing or enticing another person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not they are aware of what is happening, to gratify their own sexual needs. The activities may involve:
- Physical contact (e.g., Kissing, touching, masturbation, rape, or oral sex).
- Involving them looking at, or in the production of, sexual images.
- Encouraging the person to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or watch sexual activities, including sexual teasing and innuendo.
- Grooming in preparation for abuse (including via the internet).
- Sport situations which involve physical contact (e.g., Supporting or guiding) could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. Abusive situations may also occur if there is a misuse of power and position of trust over people.
Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal from services or supportive networks. In a club context this might include excluding a member from social activities.
Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with Wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits. People with learning disabilities or dementia are particularly vulnerable to this type of abuse.
Discriminatory abuse – including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment: because of race, sex, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Neglect – is the persistent failure to meet a person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of health or development. Neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:
- Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter.
- Protect the person from physical and emotional harm or danger.
- Ensure adequate supervision.
- Ensure access to appropriate medical care, treatment or support.
- Respond to basic emotional needs.
- Neglect in a sport situation might occur if an instructor or coach fails to ensure that the person is safe, exposes him/her to undue cold or heat or risk of injury.
Self-Neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. Self-neglect might indicate that the person is not receiving adequate support or care or could be an indication of a Mental Health issue such as depression.
Organisational Abuse – including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting e.g. hospital or place of care.
Mate Crime – is when vulnerable people are befriended by members of the community who go on to exploit and take advantage of them.
Child sexual exploitation – is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs and wants (e.g. attention, money or material possessions, alcohol or drugs), and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation can also occur online without involving physical contact.
Extremism – goes beyond terrorism and includes people who target the vulnerable including the young by seeking to: create division between communities on the basis of race, faith or denomination; justify discrimination e.g. towards women and girls; persuade others that minorities are inferior; or argue against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.
Bullying – Bullying (including online bullying, for example via text or social media) may be seen as deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated or sustained over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. The bully is often another vulnerable or young person. Although anyone can be the target of bullying, victims are typically shy, sensitive and perhaps anxious or insecure. Sometimes they are singled out for physical reasons –being overweight or physically small, being LGBTQ+, having a disability or belonging to a different race, faith or culture. Bullying can include:
- Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching etc.
- Name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and emotional torment through ridicule, humiliation or the continual ignoring of individuals.
- Posting of derogatory or abusive comments, videos or images on social network sites.
- Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, sectarianism.
- Sexual comments, suggestions or behaviour.
- Unwanted physical contact.
- The acronym T.O.P. (Several Times On Purpose) can help you to identify bullying behaviour.
Recognising Abuse
It is not always easy, even for the most experienced, to spot when abuse has taken place. However, some of the more typical symptoms which should trigger your suspicions would include:
- Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries or lack of medical attention when an injury has occurred.
- Sexually explicit language or actions
- A sudden change in behaviour (e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper).
- The person describing what appears to be an abusive act involving them.
- A change observed over a long period of time (e.g. Losing weight or becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt).
- A general distrust and avoidance of someone, especially those with whom a close relationship would be expected.
- An unexpected reaction to normal physical contact.
- Difficulty in making friends or abnormal restrictions on socialising with others.
- Self-harming.
- A person’s belongings or money go missing.
- A disclosure – someone tells you or another person they are being abused.
Patterns of Abuse – may vary and include:
- Serial abusing in which the perpetrator seeks out and ‘grooms’ individuals. Sexual and financial abuse may fall into this pattern.
- Long term abuse in the context of an ongoing family relationship, such as domestic violence between spouses or generations or persistent psychological abuse or
- Opportunistic abuse such as theft occurring because money or valuable items have been left lying around.
It is important to note that the person could be displaying some or all of these signs, or behaving in a way which is worrying, without this necessarily meaning that the person is being abused. Similarly, there may not be any signs, but you may just feel that something is wrong. If you have noticed a change in a person’s behaviour, first talk to the parents or carers. It may be that something has happened, such as a bereavement, which has caused the person to be unhappy.
If you are concerned: If there are concerns about sexual abuse or violence in the home, talking to the parents or carers might put the person at greater risk. If you cannot talk to the parents, guardians or carers, consult the Club Safeguarding Officer or the person in charge. It is this person’s responsibility to make the decision to contact Children’s or Adult Social Care Services or the Police. It is NOT their responsibility to decide if abuse is taking place, BUT it is their responsibility to act on your concerns.