Safeguarding Policy

Ignite Sport and Physical Education Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in sport. All children are entitled to feel safe and protected from any form of abuse and neglect and have the right to take part in sport and physical activity in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined within statutory guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children” as protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Purpose and scope

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers, contracted and self-employed coaches, volunteers, or anyone working on behalf of Ignite Sport. It outlines our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children who participate in our activities.

This policy statement is based on the following key principles:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount

  • All participants regardless of age, sex, ability or disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, size, or sexual orientation have the right to protection from harm

  • All allegations, suspicions of harm and concerns will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part

  • A child-centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children

Our Commitment

  • We believe that a child or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind.

  • We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and keep them safe.

  • We are committed to practicing in a way that protects children from harm.

  • We will protect children from radicalisation and extremism by responding swiftly to potential vulnerabilities.

  • We will provide staff and volunteers with regular updates and training on safeguarding and the Prevent Duty.

  • We will record and check the details of all visitors to all our premises.

Recognising Abuse

Recognising abuse is not always easy. It is not the responsibility of staff, volunteers, or children to decide whether abuse has taken place. However, we all have a responsibility to act if we have concerns. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or neglect. It can occur within a family, an institutional setting, or a community setting. It can be perpetrated by adults or other children.

Types of abuse:

  • Physical Abuse: Actual or likely physical injury to a child, or failure to prevent injury.

  • Sexual Abuse: Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child.

  • Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child.

  • Neglect: Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs.

  • Bullying: Can include a variety of behaviours, including name-calling, offensive language, coercion, physical harm, theft, cyberbullying, and hate crimes.

Vulnerability factors:

Children can be particularly susceptible to abuse or exploitation due to various factors, including:

  • Learning Difficulty and/or Disability: Difficulties in communication or understanding can make individuals more vulnerable.

  • Risk to Self and/or Others: This may include self-harm, suicidal tendencies, or the potential risk of harming others.

  • Domestic Violence: Can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect. This category also covers forced marriages and honour-based violence.

  • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): A harmful traditional practice that involves the cutting or removal of female genitalia.

  • Forced Marriage: A marriage in which one or both spouses do not consent.

  • Modern Slavery: Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude.

  • Risks/Abuse Related to Family/Cultural Beliefs/Faith: Harmful practices or beliefs within a family or community that can put children or vulnerable adults at risk.

  • Parental Impacts: Issues such as parental substance misuse, mental health problems, or domestic abuse can significantly impact a child's well-being.

Prevent Duty

Ignite Sport recognises its responsibility to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. The Prevent Duty is about protecting children and vulnerable adults from being drawn into terrorism. It is not about preventing them from having political or religious views but about supporting them to express those views in non-extremist ways.

Radicalisation and Extremism:

  • Radicalisation: The process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremism.

  • Extremism: Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Responding to suspicions of Radicalisation and Extremism:

  • Staff should be alert to changes in a child's behaviour or attitude that could indicate they need help or protection.

  • Any concerns about radicalisation should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

  • Ignite Sport will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Board.

  • All suspicions and investigations will be kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know.

Channel Programme

Channel is a multi-agency approach to provide support to individuals who are at risk of being drawn into terrorist-related activity. Ignite Sport will cooperate with the Channel programme and the police in providing information about individuals referred to the programme.

Reporting concerns

Ignite Sport encourages a culture of openness and transparency where all staff and volunteers feel comfortable raising concerns about any safeguarding or child protection issue.

Any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child should be reported immediately to the school and Ignite Sport’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

  • If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

  • Concerns can also be reported to the NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000

Confidentiality:

  • While Ignite Sport values confidentiality, it cannot be guaranteed in cases where there are concerns about the safety or well-being of a child or vulnerable adult.

  • Information will be shared with appropriate agencies and individuals on a need-to-know basis.

Allegations against staff:

Ignite Sport has procedures in place for managing allegations of abuse against staff or volunteers. All allegations will be taken seriously and dealt with in accordance with local authority safeguarding procedures.

Support for staff:

Ignite Sport provides support for staff who may find dealing with safeguarding issues distressing.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Our DSL receives updated training annually.

The DSL is responsible for:

  • Managing referrals to local authorities and other agencies.

  • Providing support and advice to staff.

  • Liaising with external agencies.

  • Ensuring staff are trained and aware of safeguarding procedures.

  • Maintaining confidentiality.

Safer recruitment, staff training and development:

Safer recruitment practices are followed for all new staff as follows:

  • Our job adverts include a statement about our commitment to keeping children safe.

  • Our candidate packs include an outline of our safer recruitment process so that applicants understand what information will be sought from them and why, and what will be expected of them at each stage of the process

  • Our interviews are always conducted face-to-face and include a practical assessment

  • All new staff undergo a thorough recruitment process, including enhanced DBS checks, two references, identity checks and the requirement to complete and sign a self-declaration and disclosure form. No staff member will begin working with children until these checks are completed

Ignite Sport ensures all staff are trained, know their roles and responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and highlights its paramount importance in the following ways:

  • We require all our team who are working with children to undertake annual safeguarding training

  • All staff receive basic training in the Prevent Duty

  • All staff are aware of their statutory duties if they have any safeguarding concerns regarding a child

  • All staff have a copy of this Safeguarding Policy, understand its contents and are vigilant to signs of abuse, neglect or radicalisation

  • We provide support and advice to those working with children

  • Safeguarding is a permanent agenda item at our weekly staff meeting

  • Our procedures are in line with the latest ‘Working together to safeguard children’ statutory guidance

Responding to suspicions:

Ignite Sport will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse. Staff will follow the procedures set down in What to do if you are worried a child is being abused - 2015.

Recording and sharing information:

Ignite Sport will record and store information about safeguarding concerns professionally and securely. Information will be shared with relevant agencies and individuals in accordance with safeguarding procedures.

Parental engagement:

We encourage an open dialogue with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the safeguarding procedures. We provide updates on safeguarding developments during parent meetings and via email and newsletters.

Use of mobile phones and cameras:

Photographs will only be taken of children for advertising purposes with their parents’ permission.

Contact information:

Emergency: In any situation where a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, always call 999.

Out of hours: Many councils have an Emergency Duty Team for out-of-hours safeguarding concerns.

LADO – Local Authority Designated Officer: The LADO is responsible for managing allegations against those who work with children.

BANES: Tel. 01225 396810, email LADO@bathnes.gov.uk

Bristol: Tel. 01179 037795, email LADO@bristol.go.uk

South Gloucestershire: Tel. 01454 868508, email LADO@southglos.gov.uk

North Somerset: Tel. 07795 092692, email LADO@n-somerset.gov.uk

Wiltshire: Tel. 0300 456 0108 (Option 6), email LADO@wiltshire.gov.uk

NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000

Ignite Sport & PE Limited Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Tom Monks – Tel. 07971587192, email: tom@ignite-sport.co.uk

Updated February 2025