Safeguarding Policy

SAFE GUARDING CHILDREN

Note: The terms ‘child’ and ‘young person’ describe any person under the age of 18. 

References to ‘parents’ should be read as parents and carers inclusively. 

OUR STATEMENT

Pilates with Laura acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice. The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children: have a positive and enjoyable experience of Pilates at Pilates with Laura in a safe and child centred environment are protected from abuse whilst participating in Pilates or outside of the activity. 

WHAT WE'LL DO 

As part of our safeguarding policy we will: 

• promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people 

• listen to and respect children ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation adopt safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, 

• identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people 

• provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about our policies, procedures and behaviour codes and follow them confidently and competently ensure 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 ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored record and store information securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office] 

• prevent the employment or deployment of unsuitable individuals by recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made appoint a nominated safeguarding lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding develop and implement an effective online safety policy and related procedures share information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their parents via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions make sure that children, young people and their parents know where to go for help if they have a concern 

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Pilates with Laura. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal or exclusion from the organisation. 

Everyone involved in providing activities for children will be given access to appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people 

SAFEGUARDING ADULTS

Pilates with Laura is committed to Safeguarding Adults in line with national legislation and relevant national and local guidelines.

We will safeguard adults by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe.

Pilates with Laura is committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates: the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk; knowing how adult abuse, exploitation or neglect manifests itself; and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.

This extends to recognising and reporting harm experienced anywhere, including within our activities, within other organised community or voluntary activities, in the community, in the person’s own home and in any care setting.

Pilates with Laura is committed to best safeguarding practice and to uphold the rights of all adults to live a life free from harm from abuse, exploitation and neglect.

OUR STATEMENT

Pilates with Laura believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status. 

Pilates with Laura is 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.

Pilates with Laura acknowledges that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and is committed to prevent abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults involved.

Pilates with Laura recognises that health, well-being, 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.

Pilates with Laura recognises 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 and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation and with local statutory safeguarding procedures.

Actions taken by  Pilates with Laura  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.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the commitment of Pilates with Laura to safeguarding adults and to ensure that everyone involved in Pilates with Laura is aware of:

·        The legislation, policy and procedures for safeguarding adults.

·        Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.

·        What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the organisation.

SCOPE

This safeguarding adult policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in Pilates with Laura including Staff, Volunteers and Members and to all concerns about the safety of adults whilst taking part in our organisation, its activities and in the wider community.

We expect our partner organisations, including for example, affiliated clubs, suppliers and sponsors to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice as set out in this Safeguarding Adults Policy and associated procedures.

COMMITEMENTS

In order to implement this policy Pilates with Laura will ensure that:

Everyone involved with Pilates with Laura is aware of the safeguarding adult procedures and knows what to do and who to contact if they have a concern relating to the welfare 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 Pilates with Laura Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.

·        The well-being 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 (see the Safeguarding Adults Procedures).

·        Any actions taken will respect the rights and dignity of all those involved and be proportionate to the risk of harm.

·        Confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored in line with the Data Protection Policy

·        Pilates with Laura acts in accordance with best practice advice, from Sport England, NSPCC and Ann Craft Trust.

·        Pilates with Laura will cooperate with the Police and the relevant Local Authorities in taking action to safeguard an adult.

·        All Board members, staff, officials and volunteers 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.

·        Pilates with Laura uses safe recruitment practices and continually assesses the suitability of volunteers and staff to prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals in this organisation.

·        Pilates with Laura shares information about anyone found to be a risk to adults with the appropriate bodies. For example: Disclosure and Barring Service, Services, Police, Local Authority/Social Services.

·        When planning activities and events Pilates with Laura includes an assessment of, and risk to, the safety of all adults from abuse and neglect and designates a person who will be in attendance as a safeguarding lead for that event.

·        Actions taken under this policy are reviewed by the Board and senior management team on an annual basis.

·        This policy, related policies (see below) and the Safeguarding Adults Procedures are reviewed no less than on a two yearly basis and whenever there are changes in relevant legislation and/or government guidance as required by Sport England or as a result of any other significant change or event.

IMPLEMENTATION

Pilates with Laura is committed to developing and maintaining its capability to implement this policy and procedures.
In order to do so the following will be in place:

·        A clear line of accountability within the organisation for the safety and welfare of all adults.

·        Access to relevant legal and professional advice.

·        Safeguarding adult procedures that deal effectively with any concerns of abuse or neglect, including those caused through poor practice.

·        A Safeguarding Lead Officer

·        Arrangements to work effectively with other relevant organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults, including arrangements for sharing information.

·        Codes of conduct for Staff, Volunteers and Members and other relevant individuals that specify zero tolerance of abuse in any form.

·        Risk assessments that specifically include safeguarding of adults.

·        Policies and procedures that address the following areas and which are consistent with this Safeguarding Adults policy.

• Safeguarding Children

• Bullying and harassment

• Social Media

• Equality, diversity and inclusion

• Safe activities risk assessments

• Code of Conducts and a process for breach of these - Staff, Coaches, Officials, Volunteers, Participants/Members, Carers/Personal Assistants, Fans

• Discipline and grievance

• Concerns, Complaints and Compliments

• Whistleblowing

• Safe recruitment and selection (staff and volunteers)

• Contract compliance

•  Information policy, data protection and information sharing

MONITORING

This policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances: 

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance as required by the local safeguarding partnership, 

• as a result of any other significant change or event.

This policy was last reviewed on 28.03.23 Signed Laura Heda 

CONTACT DETAILS OF OUR SAFEGUARDING OFFICER

Name: Laura Heda 

Tel: 078935893810 

Email: info@pilateswithlaura.net

Where a young person or adult is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.