Andover Triathlon Club

Andover Triathlon Club

Safeguarding Policy

16th April 2025

 

Andover Triathlon Club

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Andover Triathlon Club Safeguarding Policy sets out our belief in and commitment to safeguarding and protecting all children and adults at risk involved in triathlon, safeguarding their welfare and protecting them from all forms of abuse and neglect. This is not just our responsibility but that everyone involved in triathlon at all levels to ensure that children can enjoy themselves in a safe and non-threatening environment.

Andover Triathlon Club considers the safety and wellbeing of children and adults at risk as central to our values. All concerns must be acted upon and reported immediately. Where there are concerns and disclosures of abuse against children or adults at risk, we will prioritise the wellbeing of the child or adult at risk and act in accordance with all relevant UK legislation and guidance.
Poor practice will be taken extremely seriously and viewed as a breach of our safeguarding policy.

The Andover Triathlon Club Safeguarding Policy applies to and is mandatory everyone involved in Andover Triathlon Club. Failure to comply with this policy will be addressed without delay in line with the club’s disciplinary procedures and may ultimately result in dismissal or exclusion from Andover Triathlon Club.

For the purpose of this policy, we use the following definitions:

A child is defined as anyone under the 18 years of age.

An adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who (Care Act 2014):

(a) AND.

has needs for care and support (whether the local authority is meeting any of those needs)

(b) is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, AND.

(c) because of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Guiding Principles

Children’s rights guide us in what our responsibilities are.

The following rights are highlighted:

• Everyone has the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

• Every child and adult has the right to be treated as an individual.

• Every child and adult has the right to express views on all matters that affect them.

Andover Triathlon Club Safeguarding Policy

To minimise the risk of abuse, our policy is built on the following principles:

• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and adults at risk to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

• The welfare of the child and adult at risk is paramount and must be always prioritised.

• No one should ever experience abuse of any kind

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and everyone must act appropriately, and report concerns. Doing nothing is NOT an option and all concerns must be reported. All organisations and individuals involved in triathlon must understand and accept their responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.

• All children and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to be treated with respect and dignity.

• Everyone should be encouraged to express their views in matters affecting them and these views must be valued.

• All allegations, suspicions and concerns of poor practice, harm or abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.

• We recognise the role and responsibilities of the statutory agencies in safeguarding children and adults at risk and are committed to complying with local and national safeguarding procedures. All concerns and disclosures that indicate illegal action will be reported to external authorities.

We recognise that:

• Working in partnership with children and adults at risk, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting children’s welfare

• Some children and adults at risk are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

• Extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

Andover Triathlon Club will keep children and adults at risk safe by:

• Promoting and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children and adults at risk.

• Appointing a Club Welfare Officer to provide advice and guidance for safeguarding who has completed the relevant Club Welfare Officer Training as defined by British Triathlon and the Home Nations every three years.

• Ensuring everyone has positive and enjoyable experience in the sport of triathlon in a safe and child centred environment whilst at Andover Triathlon Club.

• Ensuring everyone is protected from all forms of abuse whilst at Andover Triathlon Club and in the sport of triathlon.

• Promoting and prioritising the British Triathlon Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Adult at Risk Policies and Home Nations procedures.

• Adopting child and adult at risk protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers.

• Ensuring everyone at Andover Triathlon Club understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of Safeguarding and are provided with learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns.

• Ensuring that appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents or concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual(s) who raise or disclose the concern.

• Following the Home Nations safeguarding reporting procedures and reporting concerns raised with the Home Nation Lead Safeguarding Officer.

• Ensuring that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.

• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice.

• Making sure everyone at Andover Triathlon Club knows where to go for help or have a concern.

• Valuing, listening and respecting children and adults at risk.

• Requiring club officers, coaches, other staff, members, and volunteers to adopt and abide by this policy.

• Ensuring there is a commitment to review safeguarding practice within the club via committee meetings and member involvement.

• Recruiting and selecting staff, coaches, activators and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• Ensuring that all coaches, activators, volunteers, staff, club officers working or volunteering with children in Regulated Activity (as defined in the relevant legislation) hold Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) through British Triathlon which is renewed every three years.

• Ensuring that all coaches and activators working or volunteering with children or adults at Andover Triathlon Club obtain an appropriate safeguarding training certificate as defined by British Triathlon and the Home Nations.

 

Contact Details

In an emergency, where a child’s or adults’ welfare is at immediate risk of harm call 999

Club Welfare Officer Name: Karen Carey

Phone/email: 0772 995 3210 k_carey@btinternet.com

Triathlon England Lead Safeguarding Officer Name: Linda Haywood

email: concern@britishtirathlon.org

Version Control

The Andover Triathlon Club Safeguarding policy will be kept under periodic review but not less than once every three years or sooner if there are changes to changes to legislation and good practice.

Policy Name: Andover Triathlon Club Safeguarding Policy

Version: 1.0

Date Last Reviewed: 16th April 2025

Editor: Karen Carey

Approved By: Andover Triathlon Club committee.