Policy for Safeguarding Adults

Policy Statement

This Club believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect, regardless of age, ability, disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status. We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution. We collectively acknowledge that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and we are committed to the prevention of abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults involved in our sport. We recognise that health, wellbeing, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience. We recognise that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help. We recognise that these factors can vary at different points in people’s lives. We recognise that there is a legal framework within which sports need to work to safeguard adults who have needs for care and support, and for protecting those who are unable to take action to protect themselves. We will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation and with local statutory safeguarding procedures. Actions taken by the Club will be consistent with the principles of adult safeguarding, ensuring that any action taken is prompt, proportionate and that it includes and respects the voice of the adult concerned

Committments

To implement this policy, our Club will ensure:
• everyone involved in athletics is aware of the safeguarding adult procedures and knows what to do and who to contact if they have a concern relating to the safety or wellbeing of an adult 
• any concern that an adult is not safe is taken seriously, responded to promptly, and followed up in line with this policy and associated procedures 
• the wellbeing of those at risk of harm will be put first and the adult actively supported to communicate their views and the outcomes they want to achieve. Those views and wishes will be respected and supported unless there are overriding reasons not to  
• any actions taken will respect the rights and dignity of all those involved and be proportionate to the risk of harm  cooperation with the Police and the relevant Local Authorities in taking action to safeguard an adult 
• all, staff, coaches, officials and volunteers within the Club understand their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults, and have completed and are up to date with safeguarding adult training and learning opportunities appropriate for their role 
• the use of safe recruitment practices and continual assessment of the suitability of volunteers and staff in order to prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals in our organisation and within the athletics community 
• a sharing of information with the appropriate bodies about anyone found to be a risk to adults; for example: Disclosure and Barring Service,, Police, Local Authority/Social Services 
• the inclusion of a risk assessment when planning activities and events as to the safety of all adults from abuse, exploitation and neglect • this policy, related policies and the associated Adult Safeguarding Procedures are to be reviewed on a two-yearly basis by our Club and whenever there are changes in relevant legislation and/or government guidance as required by the Local Safeguarding Board, UK Sport, Sport England and/or National Governing Bodies, 
• confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored in line with our Data Protection Policy and Procedures
• accordance with best practice advice; for example, from UK Sport, Sport England,  National Governing Bodies.

Equality

Our Club [COPAC] endorse the principle of equality and will strive to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in athletics (in all its disciplines and forms): 
• has a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, without regard to their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, socio-economic status or sexual orientation 
• can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected and, in particular, that they are able to enjoy their sport without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment or abuse

Definition of an Adult at Risk

Adult safeguarding legislation creates specific responsibilities for Local Authorities, Health Authorities and the Police to provide additional protection to adults at risk from abuse and neglect. When a Local Authority has reason to believe there is an adult at risk, they have a responsibility to find out more about the situation and decide what actions need to be taken to support the adult. In Scotland and Wales, the Local Authority can gain access to an adult to find out if they are at risk of harm The actions that need to be taken might be by the Local Authority (usually Social Services) and/ or by other agencies; for example, the Police and Health Authorities. In athletics, we may need to act as part of safeguarding an adult; for example, to use the disciplinary procedures in relation to a member of staff or volunteer who has been reported to be harming a participant of our sport.

The definitions of an ‘adult at risk’ vary across the Home Countries England (The Care Act 2014) An adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who: 
(a) has needs for care and support (whether or not the Local Authority is meeting any of those needs)  
(b) is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect and (c) as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect. 

Abuse and Neglect 
Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. It can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it. Any or all of the following types of abuse may be perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent, negligence, omission or ignorance. There are different types and patterns of abuse and neglect, and different circumstances in which they may take place. Safeguarding legislation in each Home Country lists categories of abuse differently. However, they all include the following types of abuse: 
• Physical 
• Sexual 
• Psychological 
• Neglect 
• Financial.
Abuse can take place within a sporting context and the person causing harm might be any other person. For example, a member of staff, a coach, a volunteer, a participant or a fan. 

Some examples of abuse within sport include: 
• harassment of a participant because of their (perceived) disability or other protected characteristics 
• not meeting the needs of the participant (e.g. training without a necessary break) 
• a coach intentionally striking an athlete 
• an official or coach who sends unwanted sexually explicit text messages

REPORTING A CONCERN ABOUT AN ADULT
You have an adult safeguarding concern or have been told about possible abuse or poor practice towards another adult.
Is the person in immediate danger or need immediate medical attention?
NO	YES
	Seek medical attention or contact emergency services 999.
Is a serious crime in progress, or has a serious crime been committed?
NO	YES
	Contact the police 999
Is it safe to speak with the adult? What does the adult want to happen? If you know their views include those throughout the process.
Complete the Adult Safeguarding Report Form and send it without delay to the Club Welfare Officer.
If the Club Welfare Officer is not immediately available, or the individual concerned is not connected to a club, then submit the Safeguarding Concern Referral Form directly to the UKA Safeguarding Team.