- Introduction
1.1 Hakinakina (HK) believes that all young people have the right to be safe and enjoy their involvement in our clubs/camps. We accept a responsibility to promote the welfare of young people and protect them from harm.
1.2 For the avoidance of doubt, this includes all participants and anyone working within HK (in a paid or voluntary capacity, and whether as an employee or on a self-employed or other work basis) including all coaches.
1.3 In England a child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Child protection guidance points out that even if a child has reached 16 years of age and is: • living independently • in further education • a member of the armed forces • in hospital; or • in custody in the secure estate they are still legally children and should be given the same protection and entitlements as any other child (Department for Education, 2018).
1.4 For the purpose of this policy Safeguarding is defined as ‘the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm’ NSPCC. Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child (the Reporting procedures).
1.5 This Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in HK Policy (the “Safeguarding Policy”) applies to all employees of Hakinakina. The Safeguarding Policy sits alongside all other HK policies and regulations. Adherence to the Safeguarding Policy will be managed through the Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Complaints and Disciplinary Regulations (“Safeguarding Regulations”).
- Purpose of Policy
2.1 This Policy has been produced to promote the welfare of young people and protect them from harm or risk of harm, this includes physical and mental wellbeing. The Policy sets out the commitments made by Hakinakina with regard to safeguarding young people and certain general principles.
2.2
- Legal context, requirements and Government Guidance
3.1 The practices, procedures, principles and guidance within this Safeguarding Policy and associated reporting procedures are based on the principles contained within the Children’s Act 1989 & 2004 and the Government guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguarding Children 2018 . 3.2 The practice, procedures, principles and guidance within the Safe Recruitment Policy are based on the principles of The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in relation to recruitment of those in regulated activity.
- Hakinakina’s role and responsibility
4.1 Hakinakina recognises the roles and responsibilities of the statutory agencies in safeguarding young people and the responsibilities and expertise of the relevant agencies in determining whether young people have, or may have, been abused or otherwise harmed or are at risk of harm. Hakinakina is committed to complying with the statutory procedures of the Local Safeguarding agencies (previously Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs). Accordingly, Hakinakina will work cooperatively with the relevant statutory agencies on matters relating to safeguarding young people and where Hakinakina receives report of a concern, it will refer the matter to the relevant statutory agency where appropriate.
4.2 Hakinakina is committed to encouraging and supporting everyone within our camps/clubs to recognise and regard as essential, the effective and safe recruitment of all individuals working with young people at Hakinakina.
5.1 Have at least one named Welfare Officer, whose contact details are easily accessible to all parents.
5.2 Follow Hakinakina’s recruitment guidance by ensuring that they have at least one active DBS Verifier and that the club/association actively use the DBS system to complete DBS checks on the appropriate individuals.
5.4 Ensure that all coaches/ individuals who work regularly with young people have appropriate safeguarding training.
5.5 Understand and follow Hakinakina’s reporting procedures and disseminate this information to their members.
5.6 Provide an environment that is positive, safe, engaging and inclusive. The welfare and wellbeing of young people must be paramount.
5.7 Understand that safeguarding young people is everyone’s responsibility, not just the Welfare Officer.
- General Principles The following general principles regarding safeguarding and protecting young people will be applied by Hakinakina
6.1 The safety and welfare of young people is paramount.
6.2 The rights, dignity and worth of all young people must always be respected.
6.3 The views and opinions of young people are sought, considered and integrated into all aspects of Hakinakina.
6.4 All young people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race (including ethnic origin, nationality and colour), religion or belief, sex (gender), sexual orientation, marital and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity have the right to be protected from harm.
6.5 It is recognised that some young people have additional vulnerability, which may be due to disability, language, sexual orientation, culture or for the fact that they perform in an elite environment. It is therefore important to raise awareness of additional risks and address particular needs, as required.
6.6 The creation of a safe culture and environment will allow young people to thrive within Hakinakina and feel supported should they need to raise any concerns. In ‘Working together to Safeguard Children 2018’ children say they need: • Vigilance: to have adults notice when things are troubling them • Understanding and action: to understand what is happening; to be heard and understood; and to have that understanding acted upon • Stability: to help them develop an ongoing stable relationship of trust with those helping them • Respect: to be treated with the expectation that they are competent rather then not • Information and engagement: to be informed about and involved in procedures, decisions, concerns and plans • Explanation: to be informed of the outcome of assessments and decisions and reasons when their views have not been met with a positive response. • Support: to be provided with support in their own right as well as a member of their family • Advocacy: to be provided with advocacy to assist them in putting forward their views • Protection: to be protected from all forms of abuse and discrimination and the right to special protection and help if a refugee
6.7 Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, but it is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place.