Safeguarding Policy
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Pentyrch Bowling Club Safeguarding children and adults at risk policy
Pentyrch Bowling Club (PBC) is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all children and adults at risk (CHAAR). It accepts the responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk within the bowling club. Children include all boys and girls under the age of 18 and adults at risk include those who are often unable to take care of themselves and/or protect against significant harm or exploitation.
Overall Aim
The overall aim of PBC’s safeguarding policy is to a) promote good practice and to provide CHAAR with appropriate safety and protection, and b) to allow coaches and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to any specific child and vulnerable adult protection issues. The safeguarding practices and procedures outlined in this document are based on the principles contained within the BowlsWales (one of our national governing bodies) ‘Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy’ of 2017.
Guiding Principles
PBC will create and maintain the safest possible environment for CHAAR by adopting the following guiding principles:
- Recognising that all children and adults at risk have the right to be safe from harm.
- Ensuring that all coaches and volunteers are DBS checked and carefully selected, and that they accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of CHAAR in their care.
- Responding swiftly and appropriately to all concerns or allegations of abuse and providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns that they may have.
- Appointing a safeguarding (protection) officer who will take specific responsibility for the protection of CHAAR and act as a main point of contact for parents, children and outside agencies.
- Ensuring access to confidential information is restricted to the safeguarding officer or appropriate external agencies including the Welsh Bowls Federation and BowlsWales.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of PBC’s safeguarding policy and activities on an annual basis.
Good Practice
A key element of any safeguarding policy is the promotion of good practice and coaches and volunteers at PBC will adhere to the following key elements of good practice:
- Make the experience of playing bowls fun and enjoyable, promoting fairness and confronting any form of bullying.
- Always give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
- Treat all CHAAR equally and with respect.
- Always put the welfare of children and adults at risk first, before winning.
- Avoid unnecessary physical contact with CHAAR.
- Be an excellent role model, including not smoking and drinking alcohol in front of children.
- Always work in an open environment and avoid private and unobserved situations.
- Keep a written record of any injury or complaint that occurs, along with details of any treatment.
Current Safeguarding (Protection) Officer: Mrs Janet Berry