G.B. Britton Bowls Club - Safeguarding Policy Statement

This Policy Statement summarises the key points in the Cub’s suite of Safeguarding Policies – it is not meant to replace those Policies, merely to inform 

 

Policy Aims 

GB Britton Bowls Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, adults and adults at risk and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

 

The Club Policy aims to ensure that

  • the welfare and interests of children, adults and adults at risk are paramount in all circumstances
  • regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children, adults and adults at risk: -
  • have a positive and enjoyable experience at GB Britton Bowls Club in a safe and appropriate environment
  • are protected at all times from abuse of any description whilst participating in Bowls

 

GB Britton Bowls Club acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.   

 

Policy Principles

 The GB Britton Bowls Club Policies will follow these principles: -

  • promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, adults and adults at risk
  • ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children, young people, adults and adults at risk
  • ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
  • ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
  • prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
  • ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation

 

Policies and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in GB Britton Bowls Club.   Failure to comply with the Policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation. 

 

Monitoring

The Policy will be reviewed after one year unless required to do so by a change in legislation or government guidance or as a result of any other significant event.

 

Responsibility for implementation of the Safeguarding Policies, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

  • GB Britton Bowls Club Management Committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation
  • The Club Safeguarding Officer will sit on the Club Management Committee and report, as appropriate, to that Committee
  • The Club Safeguarding Officer, is responsible for monitoring Safeguarding Policies and recommending updates
  • All individuals involved in/present at the Club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct

 

Action following a safeguarding concern/disclosure made to you

  • Any individual who hears of, or is made aware of a concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting of a Safeguarding Concern Policy and unless someone is in immediate danger, the Club Safeguarding Officer should be informed
  • You may, if you feel more comfortable, report the incident to any member of the Management Committee who can take it to the Safeguarding Officer on your behalf
  • That Officer will investigate and follow the procedures in their Club’s Safeguarding Policies.
  • Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:
  • The police in an emergency (999);
  • Local Authority Children’s Services
  • Local Authority Adult Services

 

Action following a disclosure made to you from a child or adult or adult at risk

  1. Reassure the person that s/he is right to report the behaviour
  2. Listen carefully and calmly
  3. Keep questions to a minimum – and never ask leading questions
  4. Do not promise secrecy.  Inform him/her that you must report your conversation to the relevant Club Safeguarding Officer (and the police in an emergency) because it is in his/her best interest
  5. REPORT IT! If someone is in immediate danger call the police (999), otherwise talk to the Safeguarding Officer or a Management Committee Member as soon as possible.  That officer will then follow their Club’s procedures.
  6. Do not permit personal doubt prevent you from reporting the concern/disclosure
  7. Make an immediate objective written record of the conversation using the Incident Reporting Form.  Make certain you distinguish between what the person has actually said and the inferences you may have made.   Pass on the form promptly to the Safeguarding Officer.

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

NOT RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN IS NOT AN OPTION.