SAFEGARDING POLICY

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club is affiliated to Bowls England, it’s National Governing Body and the Club recognises the policies of the Governing Body, as set in out in the “Safeguarding Bowls Guidelines”.

Policy Aims

• The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibility of members working on behalf of the Club in relation to Safeguarding Adults at risk.

• All adults have the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Objectives

• Everyone who participates in bowls is entitled to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.

• The Club is committed to helping everyone in bowls accept their responsibility to safeguard adults at risk, from harm and abuse. 

• All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

• Members working with adults at risk in bowls have a responsibility to report concerns to the Club Safeguarding Officer.

Definition of an Adult at Risk

• An Adult (a person aged 18 or over) who ‘is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation’. (Definition from the Department of Health 2002)

• This could include people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and people with a physical disability or impairment. It may also include victims of domestic abuse, hate crime and anti- social behaviour. The persons’ need for additional support to protect themselves may be increased when complicated by additional factors, such as, physical frailty or chronic illness, sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, drug or alcohol problems, social or emotional problems, poverty or homelessness.

Types of Abuse

The Department of Health in its ‘No Secrets’ 2000 report suggests the following as the main types of abuse:

• Physical abuse – including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.

• Sexual abuse – including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.

• Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.

• Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

• Neglect and acts of omission – including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

• Discriminatory abuse – including race, sex, culture, religion, politics, that is based on a person’s disability, age or sexuality and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment, hate crime.

• Institutional abuse – Institutional abuse although not a separate category of abuse in itself, requires specific mention simply to highlight that adults placed in any kind of care home or day care establishment are potentially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. This can be especially so when care standards and practices fall below an acceptable level as detailed in the contract specification.

• Multiple forms of abuse – Multiple forms of abuse may occur in an ongoing relationship or an abusive service setting to one person, or to more than one person at a time, making it important to look beyond single incidents or breaches in standards, to underlying dynamics and patterns of harm. Any or all of these types of abuse may be perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent and targeting of adults at risk, negligence or ignorance.

Responsibilities and Communication

• Cromer Marrams Bowls Club’s Safeguarding Policy will be available to all members and participants. It is important that adults at risk are protected from abuse. All complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously with the Safeguarding Officer passing information to the appropriate NGB Safeguarding Officer and informing the appropriate club officers where relevant.

• The Club has responsibility for ensuring that the policy and procedures are implemented, including referring any appropriate disciplinary action to the national governing body as appropriate.

The Role of Key Individual Agencies 

• Adult Social Services – The Department of Health’s recent ‘No secrets’ guidance document requires that authorities develop a local framework within which all responsible agencies work together to ensure a coherent policy for the protection of vulnerable adults at risk of abuse. 

All local authorities have a Safeguarding Adults Board, which oversees multi-agency work aimed at protecting and safeguarding vulnerable adults. It is normal practice for the board to comprise of people from partner organisations who have the ability to influence decision making and resource allocation within their organisation.

• The Police – The Police play a vital role in Safeguarding Adults with cases involving alleged criminal acts. It becomes the responsibility of the police to investigate allegations of crime by preserving and gathering evidence. Where a crime is identified, the police will be the lead agency and they will direct investigations in line with legal and other procedural protocols.

Legal Framework

• The Government guidance ‘No Secrets’, published in 2000, sets out a code of practice for the protection of adults at risk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-secrets-guidanceon-protecting-vulnerable-adults-in-care The Care Act (2014), which came into force from April 2015, sets out for the first time a legal framework for safeguarding adults. Each Local Authority must have a Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) that includes the local authority, NHS and police. SABs must meet regularly, develop shared safeguarding plans and publish an annual review of progress. SABs will carry out Safeguarding Adults Reviews in some circumstances relating to safeguarding failures. The Act also introduces a responsibility for Local Authorities to make enquiries and take any necessary action if an adult with care and support needs could be at risk, even if that adult isn’t receiving local authority care and support.

• Human Rights Act 1998, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

• Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Code of Practice2008 

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005, covering England and Wales, provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, or who have capacity and want to make preparations for a time when they may lack capacity in the future. It sets out who can take decisions, in which situations, and how they must go about this.

Monitoring and Review

• This policy will be reviewed one year after being introduced and then every three years or in response to significant new legislation, by the Committee, and amended as appropriate. Guidance from Bowls England will be sought as part of the review process.

• The policy will be monitored in partnership with the Bowls England and Bowls Development Alliance procedures.

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club has considered its responsibilities to the young people participating in bowls at our premises and within our club very carefully, and has produced this Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy setting out the standards we wish to uphold in providing activities for children and safeguarding them accordingly.

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club is affiliated to Bowls England, its National Governing Body and the Club recognises the policies of its Governing Body, as set in out in its “Safeguarding Bowls Guidelines”.

1. Policy Statement

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard the welfare of all young people (defined as those under 18) involved in bowls within the club. All young people have a right to protection, and have their particular needs taken into account

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club will endeavour to ensure the safety and protection of all young people involved with the club through the Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures adopted by the Committee of the club. 

2. Policy Aims

• To provide young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of the club and also help them to enjoy their experience of the sport.

• To reassure parents that their children will receive the best practicable care possible whilst participating in activities within the club.

• To provide support to club members and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues and to fulfil their role effectively. 

3. Principles

• The welfare of young people is paramount.

• All young people and adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, ethnic origin and religious beliefs have the right to protection from abuse.

• All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Approved at Committee on

• All members have a responsibility to report concerns to the Club Safeguarding Officer.

• Club members, coaches and umpires will be supported to understand their role and responsibility with regard to the duty of care and protection of young people.

• Individuals will, as necessary, receive support through education and training to be aware of and understand best practice and how to manage any welfare or child protection issues that may come to light.

• Cromer Marrams Bowls Club will work in partnership with young people and parents to review and implement child protection and safeguarding procedures.

• Cromer Marrams Bowls Club’s policy and procedures are based on the above principles and UK and international legislation and government guidance, including: • The Children Act 1989 and 2004. • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013. • The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. • Any subsequent legislation relating to child protection would implicitly be incorporated into this document 

4. Responsibilities, Communication, Monitoring and Review

• Cromer Marrams Bowls Club Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy will be available to all members and parents

• The Policy will be reviewed by the Committee once year every three years or in response to significant legislation and amended as appropriate. Guidance from Bowls England will be sought as part of the review. 

• The Committee has responsibility for ensuring that the policy and procedures are implemented, including referring any appropriate disciplinary action to the national governing body as appropriate.

• The Club Safeguarding Officer has responsibility for responding to any allegations, concerns or child protection incidents, passing information to the Bowls England Safeguarding Officer and informing club officers where appropriate.

• Parents have a responsibility to work with the club in implementing procedures and providing their children with the necessary information to keep themselves safe.

• The policy will be monitored in partnership with Bowls England and Bowls Development Alliance procedures

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures for Members and Parents

Introduction

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club has a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which follows the policies of its National Governing Body, Bowls England. This policy is displayed on the Club Notice Board and can be accessed on the club website at www. cromermarramsbowlsclub.com. Queries on the policy and on these Procedures should be addressed to the Club Safeguarding Officer or the Management Secretary.

Children and Adults

These Procedures are designed to cover children – i.e. those members who have yet to reach their eighteenth birthday. These procedures do not cover “Adults at Risk” (Vulnerable Adults) 

The Club Safeguarding Officer 

The Committee has appointed a nominated member who has special responsibility for safeguarding issues and who undertakes appropriate training to keep up to date with national safeguarding guidelines. This Officer’s prime responsibilities are;

• To be the first point of contact for members, children and parents for any issue relating to safeguarding, including poor practice as well as potential or alleged abuse • To ensure parents/ guardians return all necessary documentation and that club records are kept up to date • To ensure that, where necessary, members and coaches have obtained appropriate DBS certification or have completed Self Disclosure forms. • To ensure any incidents and concerns are dealt with promptly and in accordance with these Procedures

The Club Safeguarding Officer is Raffi Coverdale.

Joining the Club 

Any member joining the club who has not yet reached his/her eighteenth birthday will be subject to the Club’s Safeguarding Policy and the Management Secretary, on receipt of an application for membership, will ensure the parent/guardian’s attention is drawn to the Policy, to these Procedures and to the need to return the consent forms detailed in these Procedures

Role of Parents/ Guardians 

Parents/ Guardians must provide the club with all necessary documentation/consents for their child/ children and must keep the Club Safeguarding Officer aware of any changes that occur, particularly as regards medical history. Parents/Guardians should also draw to the attention of the Safeguarding Officer any weaknesses/ concerns they have about the Club’s practices and procedures.

Handling of Claims of Abuse

The Club appreciates that abuse can take many forms, of which the most common are: • Physical Abuse • Neglect • Sexual Abuse • Emotional Abuse • Bullying including Cyber Bullying Abuse includes self-abuse, such as self-harming, personal neglect and abuse of alcohol and drugs. 

If any person makes a disclosure to an Officer or Member of the Club, the Club Safeguarding Officer must be immediately made aware of the situation. The Club Safeguarding Officer should in speaking to the individual: • Listen carefully and stay calm • Question normally but without pressure in order that what the person is saying is understood • Not interpret, paraphrase or put words into the person’s mouth • Reassure the person that, in coming forward, they have done the right thing • Inform the person that the information will be passed on to the appropriate agency but that only those who need to know will be informed • Note the main points carefully, using the exact words of the Disclosure • Make a detailed note of the Date/Time/Place and what was said using the Disclosure Form It is not the task of the Club Safeguarding Officer (or any other officer/ member) to themselves investigate any allegation/situation. Once a Disclosure has been made it should be reported immediately, using the Incident Reporting Form, to the Bowls England Safeguarding Officer who will contact the appropriate outside agency/agencies in order that any necessary protective action can be taken.