Safeguarding Policy

Sportstarz recognises the rights for all young people to be safe, secure and free from threat.

We acknowledge that children have the right to be treated with respect and to develop positive relationships with those adults caring for them.

To safeguard children and promote their well-being we will:

  • Create a controlled/relaxed environment for children to develop skills within the activity.
  • Encourage children to develop a sense of independence and freedom to make choices in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development.
  • Provide a safe and secure environment within our childcare clubs. Always listen to the children, share information with other agencies as appropriate.

At Sportstarz we are all committed to protecting the children in our care and promoting their welfare. Should anyone believe that this policy is not being upheld, it is their duty to report it to Michael Trotter at the earliest convenience. All the sports/child care assistants working at Sportstarz have a duty to protect and promote the welfare of the children in their care.

Spending so much time with the children during our holiday clubs, the staff may well be the first ones to notice that a child may be at risk. This statement lays out the procedures that will be followed if we have any reason to believe that a child in our care is subject to welfare issues including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well-being of all children in our care. As such we believe, we have a duty of care to the children, parents/carers and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention.

Sportstarz aims to ensure that...

  • Children are never placed at risk while in the charge of club staff.
  • Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
  • Ensure that all staff are alert to the signs of abuse, understand what is meant by child protection and are aware of the different ways in which children can be harmed, including by other children.
  • Ensure that all staff are familiar and updated regularly with child protection issues and procedures.
  • Ensure parents/carers, safety of their child is our number one priority
  • Keep the child at the centre of all we do
  • Regularly review and update this policy

Types of abuse

  • Physical abuse
  • Fabricated illnesses
  • Sexual abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Neglect

Indicators of child abuse

  • Fearful or withdrawn tendencies
  • Aggressive behaviour
  • Unexplained injuries to a child or conflicting reports from parents/carers
  • Repeated injuries
  • Unaddressed illnesses or injuries

The signs and indicators listed above may not necessarily indicate that a child has been abused, but will help indicate to us that something may be wrong, especially if a child show a number of these symptoms or any of them to a marked degree.

Recording suspicions of abuse of disclosures

Staff should make an objective record (supported by the manager in charge) of any observation or disclosure and include:

  • Childs name
  • Childs address
  • Age of the child and date of birth
  • Date and time of the observation or the disclosure
  • Exact words spoken by the child
  • Exact position and type of injuries or marks seen
  • Exact observation of an incident including any witnesses
  • Name of the person to whom the concerned was reported, with date and time and the names of any other person present at the time
  • Any discussion held with parent/carer (when deemed appropriate)

These records should be signed by the person reporting this and the manager or owner, dated and kept in a confidential file.

If a child talks to a member of staff about potential abuse it is important not to promise the child complete confidentiality as this promise cannot be kept. It is vital that the child is allowed to talk openly and disclosure is not forced or words put into the child’s mouth. As soon as possible after the disclosure it is vital to log all the details accurately.

Sportstarz expects all staff to co-operate with the Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) in any way necessary to ensure the safety of the children.

Staff must not make any comments either publicly or in private about a parents supposed or actual behaviour.

Staff, students and volunteers

It is the policy of Sportstarz to provide a safe and secure environment for all the children in any sports coaching session or Sportstarz childcare club. Sportstarz will therefore not allow an adult to be left alone with a child who has not received their enhanced DBS disclosure clearance.

  • All staff hold current enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure checks.
  • All students will have enhanced CRB disclosures sent off for clearance before their placement starts.
  • Students are never left alone with the children.
  • All visitors will be accompanied by a member of staff whilst on the premises.

Informing parents

Parents are normally the first point of contact. If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made, except where the guidance of HSSD does not allow this. This will usually be the case where the parent or family member is the likely abuser, or where a child may be endangered by this disclosure. In these cases the investigating officers will inform the parents.

Supporting families

Sportstarz takes every step to build up trust and supportive relations among families, staff and volunteers.

Sportstarz continues to welcome the child and the family and treats the family with respect in a non-judgemental manner whilst investigations are being made.

Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those with parental responsibility for the child, only if appropriate under the guidance of HSSD with the provision that the care and the safety of the child is paramount.

Employees at Sport Starz

If an allegation is made against a member of staff, an HSSD designated person will be informed and this will be investigated. This may result in the Sportstarz disciplinary procedure being followed:

  • The incident will be dealt with by the Manager and owner with support from HSSD.
  • A full investigation will be carried out.
  • Sportstarz reserves the right to suspend any member of staff during the investigation.
  • All investigations/interviews will be documented and kept in a locked file.
  • Unfounded allegations will result in all rights being reinstated
  • Founded allegations will be passed on to the relevant organisation (police) and will result in the termination of employment. HSSD will be notified immediately of this decision.
  • Sportstarz retains the right to dismiss any member of staff in connection with founded allegations following an inquiry.