Minimum requirements for a safeguarding policy.
The safeguarding policy statement should contain the following elements:
Statement of commitment
Purpose of policy
Scope of the policy/who it applies to – staff, trustees, volunteers, etc
Definitions of safeguarding and child protection
Legislative framework – eg, children act 1989 and 2004 etc
Underlying principles – eg. welfare of the child is paramount, information sharing etc.
Details of the NSP and Deputy NSP – name, job title, contact details
Date adopted and review date
Sports organisations or any organisation with a ‘governing body’ should adopt their policy/procedure guidance.
The safeguarding policy statement will need to be linked to a set of more detailed procedures/policies which can explain the steps adults within the org must take to keep children safe.
The policy statement should include a list of these:
how staff and volunteers should respond to concerns about a child’s wellbeing
how the organisation will respond to allegations of abuse made against a child
how the organisation will respond to allegations of abuse made about an adult who works or volunteers for your organisation
how it will make sure it can recruit the right people to work and volunteer with children
how it will make sure it has enough adults to supervise children effectively
a code of conduct for all staff and volunteers
how the organisation will prevent and respond to bullying
how the organisation will respond to concerns about online abuse
how the organisation will make sure photographs and images of children are taken, stored and shared appropriately
how the organisation will store child protection records
how the organisation will prevent children from being radicalised
whistleblowing
Ideally, the policy should be accessible to everyone’s needs (language, etc).
In addition to the above, organisations should also have arrangements in place that reflect the importance of safeguarding children and promoting their welfare which include appropriate supervision and training for staff.
