Thame Bowls Club
Safeguarding Policy Statement
Thame Bowls Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and both Bowls England and Lawn Tennis Association requirements.
The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and adults at risk are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and adults at risk
- have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at Thame Bowls Club in a safe and appropriate environment
- are protected from abuse whilst participating in Bowls or Tennis or outside of the activity.
Thame 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.
As part of our safeguarding policy Thame Bowls Club will:-
- promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people 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 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.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Thame 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 a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances:
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changes in legislation and/or government guidance
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as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, UK Sport and LTA and Bowls England requirements.
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as a result of any other significant change or event.
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(Last reviewed November 2018)
Responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY: NOT RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN IS NOT AN OPTION.
- Thame Sport’s Club management committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation
- Our club Welfare Officer, Chris Shannon, is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and club developments
- All individuals involved in/present at the club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct
- The LTA Safeguarding Team and Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and Tennis Foundation Safeguarding Leads can offer support to help clubs proactively safeguard.
Where there is a safeguarding concern/disclosure:
- The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should inform the relevant club Welfare Officer. For concerns related to a bowls incident this would be The Bowls Club Welfare Officer. For concerns related to a tennis incident, this would be the Thame Tennis Club Welfare Officer. For concerns not related to tennis or bowls, this would be the Thame Bowls Club Welfare Officer.
- The relevant Welfare Officer would then follow the procedures in their club’s safeguarding policy.
- Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:
- The police in an emergency (999);
- Local Authority Children’s Services contact at 01865 810603 or individual officer contact details via: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/local-authority-designated-officers
- Local Authority Adult Services: Oxford County Council adult services on 0345 050 7666 or for more information www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/contact-social-and-health-care
- Disclosure and Barring Service for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer 03000 200 190
Contact Details
Welfare Officers:
Thame Bowls Club: Names: Chris Shannon
Contact number(s): 01844 212796 07850 638 909
Thame Tennis Club Name: Zoe Smith
Contact number(s):
Thame Sports Club Ltd: Name: Peter Bozier
Contact number(s): 01844 214469 07707 183113
What to do if a disclosure from a child or adult at risk is made to you:
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Reassure the child/adult that s/he is right to report the behaviour
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Listen carefully and calmly to him/her
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Keep questions to a minimum – and never ask leading questions
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Do not promise secrecy. Inform him/her that you must report your conversation to the relevant Club Welfare Officer (and the police in an emergency) because it is in his/her best interest
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REPORT IT! If someone is in immediate danger call the police (999), otherwise talk to the relevant welfare officer as soon as possible. The relevant officer will then follow their club’s procedures.
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Do not permit personal doubt prevent you from reporting the concern/disclosure
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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 welfare officer.
Codes of Conduct
All members of staff and volunteers agree to:
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Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk at all times
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Treat all children and adults at risk fairly and with respect
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Be a positive role model. Act with integrity, even when no one is looking
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Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off court
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Not allow any rough or dangerous behaviour, bullying or the use of bad or inappropriate language
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Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice to the club Welfare Officer
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Not use any sanctions that humiliate or harm a child or adult at risk
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Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
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Keep clear boundaries between professional and personal life, including on social media
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Have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or using photos and videos
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Refrain from making physical contact with children or adults unless it is necessary as part of an emergency or congratulatory (e.g. handshake / high five)
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Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol during club activities or coaching sessions
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Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined and everyone has the required information and training
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Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk unless there are exceptional circumstances
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Refrain from transporting children or adults at risk, unless this is required as part of a club activity (e.g. away match) and there is another adult in the vehicle
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Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as such
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Not have a relationship with anyone under 18 for whom they are coaching or responsible for
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Not to have a relationship with anyone over 18 whilst continuing to coach or be responsible for them
All members, adults and children agree to:
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Be friendly, supportive and welcoming to other children and adults
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Play fairly and honestly
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Respect club staff, volunteers and Officials and accept their decisions
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Behave, respect and listen to your coach
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Take care of your equipment and club property
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Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, culture, religion or sexual identity
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Not use bad, inappropriate or racist language, including on social media
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Not bully, intimidate or harass anyone, including on social media
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Not smoke, drink alcohol or drugs of any kind on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions or events
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Talk to the club Welfare Officer about any concerns or worries they have about themselves or others
Thame Bowls Club Safeguarding incident reporting Form: Child
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Your name:
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Name of organisation:
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Your role::
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Contact information (you):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone numbers: Email address:
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Child’s name:
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Child’s date of birth:
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Child’s ethnic origin:
Please state
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Does child have a disability?
Please state
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Child’s gender:
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Parent’s / carer’s name(s):
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Contact information (parents/carers):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone numbers: Email address:
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Have parent’s / carer’s been notify of this incident?
If YES please provide details of what was said/action agreed:
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Are you reporting your own concerns or responding to concerns raised by someone else:
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If responding to concerns raised by someone else: Please provide further information below
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Name:
Position within the sport or relationship to the child:
Telephone numbers: Email address:
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Date and times of incident:
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Details of the incident or concerns:
Include other relevant information, such as description of any injuries and whether you are recording this incident as fact, opinion or hearsay.
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Child’s account of the incident:
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Please provide any witness accounts of the incident:
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Please provide details of any witnesses to the incident:
Name:
Position within the club or relationship to the child:
Date of birth (if child):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone number: Email address:
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Please provide details of any person involved in this incident or alleged to have caused the incident / injury:
Name:
Position within the club or relationship to the child:
Date of birth (if child):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone number: Email address:
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Please provide details of action taken to date:
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Has the incident been reported to any external agencies?
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If YES please provide further details:
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Name of organisation / agency:
Contact person:
Telephone numbers:
Email address:
Agreed action or advice given:
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Your Signature:
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Print name:
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Date:
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Contact your organisation’s Welfare Officer in line with Thame Bowls Club reporting procedures.
Thame Bowls Club Safeguarding incident reporting Form: Adult at risk
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Your name:
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Name of organisation:
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Your role::
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Contact information (you):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone numbers: Email address:
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Adult’s name:
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Ethnic origin:
Please state
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Does the adult have a disability?
Please state
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Adult’s gender:
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Partners / carer’s name(s):
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Contact information (partner’s/carers):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone numbers: Email address:
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Have partner / carer’s been notify of this incident?
If YES please provide details of what was said/action agreed:
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Are you reporting your own concerns or responding to concerns raised by someone else:
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If responding to concerns raised by someone else: Please provide further information below
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Name:
Position within the sport
Telephone numbers: Email address:
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Date and times of incident:
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Details of the incident or concerns:
Include other relevant information, such as description of any injuries and whether you are recording this incident as fact, opinion or hearsay.
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Adult’s account of the incident:
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Please provide any witness accounts of the incident:
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Please provide details of any witnesses to the incident:
Name:
Position within the club or relationship to the adult:
Date of birth (if child):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone number: Email address:
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Please provide details of any person involved in this incident or alleged to have caused the incident / injury:
Name:
Position within the club or relationship to the adult::
Date of birth (if child):
Address: Postcode:
Telephone number: Email address:
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Please provide details of action taken to date:
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Has the incident been reported to any external agencies?
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If YES please provide further details:
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Name of organisation / agency:
Contact person:
Telephone numbers:
Email address:
Agreed action or advice given:
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Your Signature:
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Print name:
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Date:
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Contact your organisation’s Welfare Officer in line with Thame Bowls Club reporting procedures.
