Our safeguarding policy
1. INTRODUCTION
4. SAFE STAFF AND WHISTLE-BLOWING
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or Emotional abuse
8. OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES
The following policies are also included under our safeguarding umbrella:
9. NAMED DESIGNATED CHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS
For 2019-20 the following designated staff are in post: Lynne Robb (5th Dan Black belt)
10. POLICY REVIEW
Policy agreed: 30th May 2015. This policy will be reviewed: January 2020
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 The purpose of Saracen Martial Art’s safeguarding policy is to ensure every child at our organisation is safe and protected from harm.
- 1.2 This policy will give clear direction to instructors, club members and parents about the expected behaviour and our legal responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in our organisation.
- 2.1 All instructors and adult assistant instructors will be updated annually about the safeguarding arrangements in place. At the annual SMA Instructors’ Conference we will review our “Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy” and our Designated Child Protection Officers for Safeguarding will be identified. We will recap how concerns will be recorded and passed on.
- 2.2 Each instructor will have safeguarding training through the Safer Programme (or equivalent professional body, approved by the Designated Officers) relating to signs and symptoms of abuse, how to manage a disclosure from a child and issues of confidentiality.
- 2.3 When their child joins our club, parents and carers will be advised to read our “Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy” which will available on the SMA website and through the class instructor. Parents and carers will be informed of our legal duty of care to report any child protection issues.
- 2.4 Parents will sign a membership and consent form at the start of their child’s involvement with SMA, which includes any vital health or otherwise notable information. It will make them aware of their responsibility to make sure their child arrives and leaves the class safely and of the injuries which may occur during training sessions. It also requests permission for photographs to be taken for promotional purposes only. The membership form also includes the Child’s Code of Conduct to be signed by any member under the age of 18.
- 2.5 The Designated Child Protection Officers should be used as a first point of contact for concerns and queries regarding any safeguarding concern in our organisation.
- 3.1 Every instructor and adult assistant instructor will undertake appropriate safeguarding training through the Safer Programme, or equivalent professional body, every three years. This will be monitored by the Designated Child Protection Officers who will arrange refresher training as needed.
- 3.2 Designated Child Protection Officers will receive safeguarding training and Designated Officer training every three years.
4. SAFE STAFF AND WHISTLE-BLOWING
- 4.1 Instructors are strongly advised to ensure they are never alone with children in order to protect themselves from allegations. Parents will be asked to stay for the duration of the class if no other adults are present.
- 4.2 Parents and carers must be made aware when their child starts Tae Kwon Do that bruising on arms and legs is a common occurrence in training sessions as contact occurs during sparring sessions, self-defence and partner work kicks and strikes.
- 4.3 Parents and carers will be made aware that an instructor may occasionally have physical contact with a child in order to correct positioning of arms/wrists/hands/feet/legs. Correct positioning will always be modelled before any physical correction is used. Parents will also be made aware that an instructor may use a student to demonstrate a self-defence technique. In accordance with “Safer Working Practice” section 15, permission should be sought from a child or young person before physical contact is made. Contact should be relevant to their age and adults should be sensitive to any discomfort expressed verbally or non-verbally by the child.
- 4.4 If an instructor believes one of their actions could be misinterpreted, the incident and circumstances should be reported to one of the Designated Officers and an appropriate record made. Parents should be informed in such circumstances.
- 4.5 An instructor will only assume responsibility for children in the training room. It is the responsibility of parents and carers to ensure their child arrives and leaves the venue safely. Parents will be made aware that instructors cannot take responsibility if their child needs to use a public toilet at the training venue. If a child exits the training venue before the end of the session, the instructor will attempt to contact the parent/carer as soon as reasonably possible.
- 4.6 If an instructor is aware that a child has received an injury during class, they will endeavour to contact the parents following the session. The accident book will be filled in.
- 4.7 It is the duty of everyone in the organisation to pass on any concerns or allegations of child abuse without delay. If an allegation is made against an instructor, the Designated Officers will seek appropriate advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). Should an allegation be made against a Designated Child Protection Officer, concerns should be referred to the joint Designated Officer. If this is not appropriate, the person raising the concern may personally refer direct to the LADO. Any whistle-blower disclosing information in good faith will be protected if he/she has a reasonable suspicion of child abuse.
- 4.8 There are sensible steps that every adult should take in their daily professional conduct with children. This can be found in the Safer Programme Safer Working Practice – this guidance is on the NSCB website.
- 5.1 If we are concerned about the welfare or safety of a child, we will record the concern on the agreed report form and e-mail this to one of the Designated Child Protection Officers. E-mailed records will be anonymous. Names and personal details will be phoned through separately.
- 5.2 Any information recorded will be kept in a separate named file, in a secure cabinet. These files will be the responsibility of the Designated Child Protection Officers and information will only be shared within the organisation on a need-to-know basis for the protection of the child. Copies of referrals will be stored in the file.
- 6.1 Our Designated Child Protection Officers will liaise with Children’s Services and other agencies where necessary, and make referrals to Children’s Services.
- 6.2 The Designated Officers will ensure that our safeguarding policies are in place and are reviewed annually. They will be responsible for ensuring that all instructors are aware of our “Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy” and the procedure they need to follow.
- 6.3 The Designated Child Protection Officers will ensure that instructors and adult assistant instructors have received appropriate child protection information and have received basic safeguarding training. They will arrange DBS checks to ensure all instructors are suitable people to work with our children.
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or Emotional abuse
8. OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES
The following policies are also included under our safeguarding umbrella:
9. NAMED DESIGNATED CHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS
For 2019-20 the following designated staff are in post: Lynne Robb (5th Dan Black belt)
10. POLICY REVIEW
Policy agreed: 30th May 2015. This policy will be reviewed: January 2020