- Policy statement
HSRC is committed to prioritising the well-being of all children and adults at risk, always promoting safeguarding in our club, including all training and races we run. All activities, events and trips arranged by the club run in accordance with Snowsports England (SE) Safeguarding guidance. This Policy strives to minimise risk, deliver a positive ski experience for everyone, and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosures.
Hemel Ski Race Club is an affiliated member of Snowsport England and follows Snowsport England’s Child Protection Policy SnowSafe.
- Use of terminology
Child: a person under the age of eighteen years. Note that some legislation in Scotland defines a child as a person under sixteen years old. However, where there is any safeguarding concern, anyone under the age of 18 is regarded as a child unless advised otherwise by the SE Safeguarding Team.
Adult at risk: a person aged eighteen years or over who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness; and is, or may be, unable to take care of, or unable to protect him or herself against abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding children: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.
Safeguarding adults at risk: protecting adults from abuse and/or neglect. Enabling adults to maintain control over their lives and make informed choices without coercion. Empowering adults at risk, consulting them before taking action, unless someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, or their mental health poses a risk to their own or someone else’s safety, in which case, always acting in his or her best interests. (See appendix A for full glossary of terms).
- Scope
This Policy is applicable to all staff, volunteers, committee members, coaches, and club members. It is in line with national legislation and applicable across the UK. Advice, guidance, and support is available from the SE Safeguarding Team.
4. 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.
- Our club’s committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation
- Our club Welfare Officer is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and club developments. welfare@hsrc.info
- All individuals involved in/present at the club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct
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 Procedure shown in the flowchart at the beginning of this policy. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should inform their club Welfare Officer.
- The club Welfare Officer and Safeguarding Leads are responsible for reporting safeguarding concerns to the SE Safe Safeguarding Team.
- The SE Safeguarding Team is responsible for assessing all safeguarding concern/disclosures that are reported to them and working with the club Welfare Officer and National Safeguarding Leads to follow up as appropriate on a case-by case basis, always prioritising the well-being of the child/ adult at risk. Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:
o the police in an emergency (999);
o HERTFORDSHIRE Council Children’s Services – 03001234043
o HERTFORDSHIRE Council Adult Services – 03001234042
- Breaches of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure
Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following:
- Disciplinary action leading to possible exclusion from the club, dismissal and legal action
- Termination of current and future roles within the club and roles in other clubs, and SE.
Actions taken by skiers, parents or carers, staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, coaches inside or outside of the club that are seen to contradict this Policy may be considered a violation of this Policy.
Where an appeal is lodged in response to a safeguarding decision made by the club, the individual should adhere to the club’s appeal procedure.
- Whistleblowing
Safeguarding children and adults at risk requires everyone to be committed to the highest possible standards of openness, integrity, and accountability. As a club, we are committed to encouraging and maintaining a culture where people feel able to raise a genuine safeguarding concern and are confident that it will be taken seriously.
What is whistle blowing?
In the context of safeguarding, “whistle blowing” is when someone raises a concern about the well-being of a child or an adult at risk.
. A whistle blower may be:
- a skier.
- a volunteer.
- a coach.
- another member of staff.
- an official.
- a parent.
- a member of the public.
How to raise a concern about a child or an adult at risk at the club
If a child or an adult at risk is in immediate danger or risk of harm, the police should be contacted by calling 999.
Where a child or an adult at risk is not in immediate danger, any concerns about their well-being should be made without delay to the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare Officer will pass the details of the concern on to the SE Safeguarding Team at the earliest opportunity and the relevant local authority and the police will be contacted, where appropriate.
If, however, the whistle blower does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Club Welfare Officer, the whistle blower should contact the SE Safeguarding Team directly on 07462156784, or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.
The Club Welfare Officer (Sarah Warne) can be contacted on 07713980707.
welfare@hsrc.info
Information to include when raising a concern.
The whistle blower should provide as much information as possible regarding the incident or circumstance which has given rise to the concern, including:
- their name and contact details (unless they wish to remain anonymous); • names of individuals involved.
- date, time, and location of incident/circumstance; and
- whether any witnesses were present.
What happens next? All concerns raised by a whistle blower about the well-being of a child or an adult at risk will be taken seriously and every effort will be made to deal with each concern fairly, quickly, and proportionately.
If the whistle blower does not believe that the concern has been dealt with appropriately and wishes to speak to someone outside the club or the SE Safeguarding Team, the NSPCC Whistleblowing advice line should be contacted on 0800 028 0285 or by emailing [email protected].
Support
The club will not tolerate any harassment, victimisation, or unfair treatment of, and will take appropriate action to protect, whistle blowers when they raise a concern in good faith.
Codes of Conduct All members of staff, volunteers and members agree to:
- Always prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk
- Treat all children and adults at fairly and with respect
- Be a positive role model. Act with integrity, even when no one is looking.
- Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off the slope:
- Not allow any rough or dangerous behaviour, bullying or the use of bad or inappropriate language
- Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice to the club Welfare Officer
- Not use any sanctions that humiliate or harm a child or adult at risk
- Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
- Keep clear boundaries between professional and personal life, including on social media
- Have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or using photos and videos
- 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)
- Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol during club activities or coaching sessions
- Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined and everyone has the required information and training
- Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk unless there are exceptional circumstances
- Refrain from transporting children that are not your own or adults at risk
- Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as such
- Not have a relationship with anyone under 18 for whom they are coaching or responsible for
- Be acutely aware of the power that coaches and coaching assistants develop over players in the coaching relationship and avoid any intimacy (sexual or otherwise) with players.
All children agree to:
- Be friendly, supportive and welcoming to other children and adults
- Play fairly and honestly
- Respect club staff, volunteers and Officials and accept their decisions
- Behave, respect and listen to your coach
- Take care of your equipment and club property and the Snowcentre venue
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, culture, religion or sexual identity
- Not use bad, inappropriate, or racist language, including on social media
- Not bully, intimidate, or harass anyone, including on social media
- Not smoke, drink alcohol or drugs of any kind on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions or events
- Talk to the club Welfare Officer about any concerns or worries they have about themselves or others
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
The enjoyment and safety of your child when involved in a sporting activity is of paramount importance to Hemel Ski Race Club
Every athlete will be encouraged and asked to ensure that their behaviour and action meet the values and standards always expected of them. As parents, guardians and carers you are asked to support our codes of conduct and embrace the spirit of the sport and our ski community.
As a parent/ guardian / carer. I will.
- ENSURE MY CHILD HAS APPROPRIATE CLOTHING TO STAY WARM DURING TRAINING IF ON THE SNOW, LONG SLEEVES AND GLOVES ON THE DRY SLOPE, A WELL-FITTING HELMET FOR ALL SKI ACTIVITIES.
- ENCOURAGE MY CHILD TO PARTICIPATE WITHIN THE RULES AND RESPECT OFFICIALS AND COACHES DECISIONS
- SUPPORT MY CHILDS EFFORTS AND PERFORMANCE, GIVE POSITIVE COMMENTS THAT MOTIVATE AND ENCOURAGE CONTINUED EFFORT AND PARTICIPATION
- UNDERSTAND THAT COMPETITION IS ABOUT WINNING AND LOSING AND THAT RESULTS SHOULD BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT UNDUE DISAPOINTMENT
- BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL TO MY CHILD HELPING THEM TOWARD SKILL IMPROVEMENT AND GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
- REMEMBER THAT CHILDREN LEARN BY EXAMPLE, I WILL APPLAUD OTHERS SUCCESS AS WELL MY CHILDS
- THANK THE COACHES, OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO GIVE THEIR TIME FOR MY CHILD AND NOT INTERFERE WITH THEIR DECISIONS
- HELP WHEN ASKED BY A COACH OR AN OFFICIAL
- RESPECT THE RIGHTS, DIGNITY AND WORTH OF ALL INVOLVED REGARDLESS OF GENDER, MARITAL STATUS, RACE, COLOUR, DISIBILITY, SEXUALITY, AGE, OCCUPATION, RELIGION OR POLITICAL OPINION.
- READ THE RULES OF MY SPORT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM WATCHING AND DISCUSSING WITH MY CHILD
- BE AWARE OF MY CLUBS SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND ENSURE ANY CONCERNS ARE REPORTED TO THE CHILD WELFARE OFFICER.
- RESPECT A 24HR COOLING OFF TIME BEFORE APPROACHING OTHER PARENTS OR COACHES
- VOLUNTEER AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE MEMBERSHIP YEAR
- BEHAVE RESPEONSIBLY AT THE VENUE
- ARRIVE ON TIME FOR TRAINING AND RACES AND TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE INVITE AND ORDER OF DAY FOR RACE EVENTS.
- UNDERSTAND THAT THE USE OF FOUL LANGUAGE TOWARDS ANYONE (COACHES, TEAMMATES, OFFICIALS, SPECTATORS) WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. I WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY LANGUAGE OR ACTION INTENDED TO INTIMIDATE, HURT, OR HARRASS ANY PLAYER, COACH, OFFICIAL OR SPECTATOR. THESE ACTS WILL BE CONSIDERED HARRASSEMENT AND WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE PRACTICE OR EVENT.
- I WILL NOT POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH THE INTENT TO INITIATE, HURT, INTIMIDATE OR HUMILIATE ANY ATHLETE, COACH, OFFICIAL OR SPECTATOR. THE POSTING OF NEGATIVE, DEMEANING OR DEROGATORY COMMENTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. THESE WILL BE CONSIDERED HARRASSMENT AND MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE CLUB. FURTHERMORE, IF I SEE ANYTHING OF CONCERN FROM OR ABOUT AN OFFICIAL, COACH, ATHLETE ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES I WILL REPORT THIS TO THE CLUB. AS A PARENT I UNDERSTAND I AM ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY CHILDS ACTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES. I WILL STRESS TO MY CHILD THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER CONDUCT ON THESE SITES AND PROVIDE PARENTAL OVERSIGHT TO PREVENT ANY TYPE OF CYBER BULLYING.
- INFORM THE COACH OF ANY HEALTH CHANGES OR ILLNESS THAT MAY AFFECT OR COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD WHILE PARTICIPATING IN TRAINING OR RACING.
AS A PARENT / GUARDIAN/CARERE I WILL NOT
- PRESSURE MY CHILD IN ANY WAY; I KNOW THAT THIS IS THEIR SPORT AND NOT MINE
- USE INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE, HARASS ATHLETES, COACHES, OFFICIALS OR OTHER SPECTATORS.
- RIDICULE MY CHILD OR ANY OTHER CHILD OR PARTICIPANT FOR MAKING A MISTAKE OR LOSING A RACE.
I REALISE THAT IF I VIOLATE THIS CODE OF CONDUCT, I MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISAPLINARY ACTION THAT MAY INVOLVE BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING.
- VERBAL WARNING FORM HEAD COACH / COMMITTTEE
- WRITTEN WARNING
- PARENTAL SUSPENSION FROM CLUB EVENTS / TRAINIG/ RACES
BY SIGNING BELOW, YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY AND BE SUBJECT TO THIS CODE OF CONDUCT.
PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME………………………………………………………………………………………………….
PARENT / GUARDIAN SIGNATURE…………………………………………………………………………………………
DATE……………………………………..
This Policy is recommended for approval by: Club Committee Chair: Dominic Mcgonigal: 01/10/2023Club Welfare Officer:
Sarah Warne Date: 01/10/23
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
Safeguarding: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances. Enabling adults at risk to achieve the outcomes that matter to them in their life; protecting their right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Empowering and supporting them to make choices, stay safe and raise any concerns. Beginning with the assumption that an individual is best-placed to make decisions about their own wellbeing, taking proportional action on their behalf only if someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, they are exposed to a life threatening risk, someone else may be at risk of harm, or a criminal offence has been committed or is likely to be committed.
Abuse and neglect
Physical abuse: A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child or adult at risk. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness.
Sexual abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in abuse sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or nonpenetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Emotional abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child or adult at risk such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on their emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child/ adult at risk that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person; not giving them opportunities to express their views; deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed, including interactions that are beyond a child or adult at risk’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing them participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing a child or adult at risk to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child/ adult at risk’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of their health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to:
- provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
- protect a child/ adult at risk from physical and emotional harm or danger;
- ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or o ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s or adult at risk’s basic emotional needs. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse.
Additional examples of abuse and neglect of adults at risk
Financial abuse: having money or property stolen; being defrauded; being put under pressure in relation to money or other property; and having money or other property misused.
Discriminatory abuse: treating someone in a less favourable way and causing them harm, because of their age, gender, sexuality, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, ethnic origin, religion and any other visible or non-visible difference.
Domestic abuse: includes physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse by someone who is, or has been a partner or family member. Includes forced marriage, female genital mutilation and honour-based violence (an act of violence based on the belief that the person has brought shame on their family or culture). Domestic abuse does not necessarily involve physical contact or violence.
Psychological abuse: including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
Organisational abuse: where the needs of an individual are not met by an organisation due to a culture of poor practice or abusive behaviour within the organisation.
Self-neglect: behaviour which threatens an adult’s personal health or safety (but not that of others). Includes an adult’s decision to not provide themselves with adequate food, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, or medication (when indicated), or take appropriate safety precautions
Modern slavery: encompasses slavery, human trafficking, criminal and sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
- A person who is being abused may experience more than one type of abuse
- Harassment, and bullying are also abusive and can be harmful
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is now recognised as a form of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that is practised across the UK
- Child Sexual Exploitation is recognised as a form of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status
- Child trafficking is recognised as child abuse where children are often subject to multiple forms of exploitation. Children are recruited, moved or transported to, or within the UK, then exploited, forced to work or sold
- People from all cultures are subject to abuse. It cannot be condoned for religious or cultural reasons
- Abuse can have immediate and long-term impacts on someone’s well-being, including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders and selfdestructive Conducts, offending and anti-social Conduct
- Those committing abuse are most often adults, both male and female. However, child-to-child abuse also takes place
Appendix B: What to do if a disclosure from a child or adult at risk is made to you:
- Listen carefully and calmly to the individual
- Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing and what they have told you is very important
- Avoid questioning where possible, and never ask leading questions
- Do not promise secrecy. Let the individual know that you will need to speak to the Welfare Officer/LTA Safeguarding Team because it is in their best interest. If you intend to speak to the police or social care, you should let them know this too.
- Report the concern. In an emergency, call the police (999), otherwise talk to the Welfare Officer/LTA Safeguarding Team as soon as possible. Do not let doubt/personal bias prevent you from reporting the allegation 6. Record details of the disclosure and allegation using the LTA’s online reporting a concern form within 24 hours. If you do not have access to the online form, write down the details using what you have available then sign and date it.