Safeguarding Policy

Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment where every child, young person and adult can participate in netball free from abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, intimidation and exploitation.

The welfare of children and young people is paramount. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Every member of the Club, including committee members, coaches, volunteers, officials, parents, carers and players, shares responsibility for promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk.

This policy follows England Netball safeguarding policies and guidance together with relevant UK legislation and statutory guidance.

This policy aims to:

• Protect children and young people participating in Club activities.
• Promote the wellbeing and welfare of all participants.
• Ensure all concerns are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.
• Provide clear procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a culture where everyone feels safe, respected and listened to.

This policy applies to:

• Committee members
• Coaches and assistant coaches
• Volunteers
• Officials and team managers
• Parents and carers
• Players
• Spectators attending Club activities
• Anyone representing the Club

The policy applies during:

• Training sessions
• Matches
• Tournaments
• Tours and overnight stays
• Social events organised by the Club
• Online communication and social media connected to Club activities

The Club will:

• Put the welfare of children first.
• Listen to children and respect their views.
• Treat everyone fairly and with dignity.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Recruit volunteers safely.
• Ensure appropriate DBS checks are completed where required.
• Ensure coaches hold appropriate qualifications and safeguarding training.
• Appoint a Club Safeguarding Officer.
• Respond promptly to safeguarding concerns.
• Maintain confidentiality while sharing information where necessary to protect individuals.
• Work with England Netball and statutory agencies where appropriate.

Club Committee

The Committee will:

• Promote safeguarding throughout the Club.
• Ensure safeguarding remains a standing committee agenda item.
• Support the Club Safeguarding Officer.
• Review this policy annually.

Club Safeguarding Officer

The Club Safeguarding Officer will:

• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
• Maintain confidential safeguarding records.
• Liaise with England Netball safeguarding staff.
• Ensure concerns are referred promptly where necessary.
• Promote safeguarding awareness.
• Support coaches and volunteers.

Coaches and Volunteers

Coaches and volunteers must:

• Put player welfare first.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Follow England Netball Codes of Conduct.
• Report concerns immediately.
• Never investigate concerns themselves.

The Club will:

• Recruit volunteers responsibly.
• Obtain references where appropriate.
• Complete DBS checks for eligible roles.
• Ensure safeguarding training is completed.
• Provide induction for new volunteers.

All members are expected to:

• Treat others with respect.
• Use appropriate language.
• Promote positive behaviour.
• Never bully, harass or discriminate.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Respect officials and opponents.
• Follow Club policies.

Our full Club Code of Conduct sets out specific expectations for players, spectators, parents and coaches.

Photography and filming may only take place:

• With appropriate parental consent where required.
• For legitimate Club purposes.
• Without identifying children unnecessarily.
• In accordance with England Netball guidance.

Images must never be used in a way that places children at risk.

Club representatives will:

• Use appropriate communication methods.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Avoid private messaging children where possible.
• Include parents and carers in communications with junior players.
• Never request or share inappropriate images.

The Club will:

• Follow England Netball guidance regarding supervision.
• Respect privacy.
• Ensure adults do not change with children unless appropriate and necessary.
• Respond appropriately to any concerns arising in changing areas.

Parents remain responsible for transporting their children unless alternative arrangements have been agreed.

Where volunteers transport children:

• Appropriate consent will be obtained.
• Drivers must hold a valid licence and insurance.
• Children should not normally travel alone with one adult unless unavoidable and risk assessed.

For away events the Club will:

• Complete risk assessments.
• Obtain emergency contact information.
• Ensure appropriate supervision ratios.
• Obtain parental consent.
• Follow England Netball guidance for overnight stays.

The Club recognises that abuse may include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Bullying (including cyberbullying)
• Grooming
• Exploitation
• Domestic abuse
• Discriminatory abuse

Abuse may occur in person or online.

Anyone with a safeguarding concern should report it immediately.

Otherwise:

1. 1.Record the facts accurately.
2. 2.Report immediately to the Club Safeguarding Officer.
3. 3.If the concern involves the Safeguarding Officer, report directly to England Netball.
4. 4.Do not investigate.
5. 5.Maintain confidentiality.

The welfare of the child always comes first.

Information will only be shared with those who need to know in order to safeguard children or adults at risk.

Records will be stored securely in accordance with UK data protection legislation.

The Club encourages anyone with concerns about poor practice or safeguarding to report them without fear of victimisation.

Concerns made in good faith will always be taken seriously.

The Club welcomes participants regardless of:

• Age
• Disability
• Sex
• Gender identity
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Socio-economic background

Discrimination, bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.

The Club will ensure:

• Coaches complete required safeguarding training.
• Committee members understand safeguarding responsibilities.
• The Safeguarding Officer maintains current training.
• Safeguarding information is shared regularly with members.

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually.
• Following significant safeguarding incidents.
• Following changes to England Netball guidance or legislation.