Safeguarding Children Policy

Skegness indoor bowls club

Date of Policy: 25/11/2025 Review Date: 25/11/2026 Club Welfare Officer: Mary Banks

1. Policy Statement

Skegness Indoor Bowls Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members.

A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club activity.

We subscribe to the following principles:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.

• All children, 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.

• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents/carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

2. Objectives

The purpose of this policy is:

1. To provide protection for the children and young people who participate in indoor bowls at our club.

2. To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

The Club Welfare Officer (CWO)

The Club has appointed Mary Banks as the designated Welfare Officer. They are responsible for:

• Being the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

• Ensuring DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks (or local equivalent) are completed for coaches and volunteers.

• Liaising with the National Governing Body and local authorities if a concern is raised.

Staff, Coaches, and Volunteers

All adults involved in coaching or supervising juniors must:

• Prioritise the safety and well-being of the child above the development of performance.

• Ensure they hold appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance.

• Avoid being alone with a child (follow the "Rule of Two" – two adults present).

4. Good Practice Guidelines (Bowls Specific)

Given the nature of bowls, specific attention must be paid to physical contact and coaching posture.

• Physical Contact: Coaches should minimise physical contact. When necessary (e.g., correcting a grip or stance), the coach must explain what they are doing and ask the child’s permission first. This should always be done in an open environment.

• Language: Inappropriate language, banter, or bullying will not be tolerated on the green or in the clubhouse.

• Social Media: Coaches and volunteers should not communicate individually with juniors via social media, text, or email. All communication should go through parents/carers or a group channel where parents are present.

5. Recruitment and Training

 Skegness Indoor Bowls Club recognises that anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way. We will ensure that:

• All coaches and regular volunteers working with children undergo a vetting process (references and DBS/criminal record checks).

• Safeguarding training is made available and is mandatory for lead coaches.

6. Photography and Video

• Written consent must be obtained from parents/carers before taking photos or videos of children.

• Images will only be used for coaching purposes or club promotion.

• If images are published (website/social media), the child’s full name will not be identified alongside the photograph.

7. Responding to Suspicions or Allegations

If an adult member, volunteer, or staff member witnesses abuse, or a child discloses abuse to them:

1. Stay Calm: Listen carefully and reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling you.

2. Do Not Promise Confidentiality: Explain that you must share this information with people who can help.

3. Record: Write down exactly what was said, the time, date, and location. Stick to the facts.

4. Report: Immediately contact the Club Welfare Officer.

   • If the CWO is unavailable, contact the National Governing Body Safeguarding Team.

   • If the child is in immediate danger, call the Police (999) immediately.

You must not attempt to investigate the matter yourself.

8. Changing Rooms

• Adults must not change or shower at the same time as children using the same facilities.

• If separate facilities are not available, a schedule will be created to ensure juniors have private use of the changing rooms for a set period.

• Mobile phones and cameras are strictly prohibited in changing areas.

9. Bullying

The club is committed to providing a caring, friendly, and safe environment. Bullying of any kind (physical, verbal, or emotional) is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively by the Club Committee.

Contact Details

Club Welfare Officer: Name: Mary banks : Email: info@skegnessindoorbowls.co.uk

NSPCC Helpline (24 hours): 0808 800 5000 Police Non-Emergency: 101 (or local equivalent) Local Authority Children’s Services: [Insert Local Number]

Declaration: This policy was approved by the Club Committee on: [Insert Date] Signed (Club President/Chairman): __________________________

📝 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults 

1. Introduction and Scope

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Skegness Indoor Bowls Club is committed to protecting all vulnerable adults who use our services and to establish clear procedures for staff and volunteers to follow when they suspect, or are informed of, abuse, neglect, or harm.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, contractors, and anyone else working on behalf of Skegness Indoor Bowls Club and to all activities undertaken by the organisation.

Definitions

A "vulnerable adult" is defined, for the purposes of this policy, as a person aged 18 or over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness, and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

"Safeguarding" means protecting adults from abuse or neglect.

2. Policy Statement

Skegness Indoor Bowls Club believes that all vulnerable adults have the right to be safe and protected from harm, and we are committed to promoting the welfare and safety of all adults at risk. We will:

• Recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

• Work in partnership with local authority safeguarding teams and other statutory agencies.

• Ensure all staff and volunteers are trained and aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.

• Maintain a safe and accessible environment for all service users.

• Respond promptly and appropriately to all concerns raised.

3. Principles of Safeguarding (The Six Principles)

All safeguarding activities undertaken by Skegness Indoor Bowls Club will be underpinned by the following six principles:

Principle

Description

1. Empowerment

People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions.

2. Prevention

Taking action before harm occurs.

3. Proportionality

The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

4. Protection

Support and representation for those in greatest need.

5. Partnership

Local solutions through agencies and communities working together.

6. Accountability

Accountability and transparency in safeguarding practice.

4. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights. Abuse and neglect can take many forms, including but not limited to:

• Physical: e.g., assault, hitting, misuse of medication.

• Sexual: e.g., rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and non-consensual sexual activity.

• Psychological/Emotional: e.g., threats of harm, humiliation, bullying, and isolation.

• Financial/Material: e.g., theft, fraud, coercion in relation to financial affairs.

• Neglect and Acts of Omission: e.g., ignoring medical or physical care needs, withholding necessities.

• Discriminatory: e.g., harassment or poor treatment based on race, gender, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

• Organisational: e.g., poor practice within an institution (e.g., poor care standards).

• Self-neglect: e.g., neglecting one's personal hygiene, health, or environment.

5. Procedure for Reporting a Concern

A. The Role of Staff and Volunteers

If any staff member or volunteer suspects or is told about a safeguarding concern, they must:

1. React Immediately: Ensure the immediate safety of the adult at risk. If there is immediate danger, call emergency services ([Emergency Number, e.g., 999]).

2. Do Not Investigate: Your role is to report, not to investigate. Do not ask leading questions or challenge the alleged abuser.

3. Record the Facts: Make a detailed, contemporaneous record of what was observed, said, and done.

   • Use the adult’s own words where possible.

   • Note the date, time, location, and who else was present.

   • Sign and date the record.

4. Report to the Safeguarding Lead: Immediately report the concern to the designated Safeguarding Lead.

B. The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name of DSL: [Mary banks]

Contact Details: info@skegnessindoorbowls.co.uk

Deputy DSL: [Elaine Croves]

The DSL is responsible for:

1. Receiving the concern and assessing the immediate risk.

2. Consulting with the relevant Local Authority Adult Social Care Department to make a formal referral ([Insert Local Authority Contact Number]).

3. Maintaining confidential records of the concern and the actions taken.

4. Liaising with the police and other agencies as necessary.

5. Informing the senior management/trustees of the referral (while maintaining confidentiality).

6. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

• All information relating to safeguarding concerns will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

• Information will only be shared with those who need to know to protect the adult at risk, or as required by law.

• Where possible, the adult at risk will be informed about how and why information is being shared, unless doing so would place them or others at greater risk.

7. Staff Recruitment and Training

• Recruitment: Skegness Indoor Bowls Club will follow safe recruitment practices, including obtaining enhanced DBS/background checks for all roles involving contact with vulnerable adults.

• Training: All staff and volunteers will receive mandatory safeguarding training that is updated at least [frequency, e.g., every 3 years].

8. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed and updated by [Committee] on an annual basis or whenever there is a significant change in relevant legislation or organisational structure.

Date Approved: [25/11/2025]

Date of Next Review: [25/11/2026]