Safeguarding Policy | adopted from the RYA Safeguarding Team

This document has been adopted from the RYA Safeguarding Team for use by RYA Affiliated Organisations and Recognised Training Centres.

Version	3
Published Date	24/04/2026
Reviewed	Club Welfare Officer: James Stanbridge
Review Due	01/11/2029

1. Safeguarding Policy Statement for Felpham Sailing Club

For the purposes of this policy, Felpham Sailing Club shall be referred to as The Club.

This policy refers to a child as anyone under the age of 18 as defined by the Children Act 1989 and an Adult at Risk as anyone aged 18 or over, who is in need of care or support, and who, because of those needs, is unable to always safeguard themselves as defined by the Care Act 2014.

Felpham Sailing Club is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk taking part in its activities from abuse and harm and ensuring their wellbeing.

The Club recognises that the safety, welfare and needs of children, young people and adults at risk are paramount and that any person, irrespective of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or social status, has a right to protection from discrimination, victimisation and abuse.

The Club takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through safe recruitment, appropriate operating procedures, and training, it offers a safe and fun environment to everyone taking part in Club events and activities. The Club recognises that it has a legal duty of care to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk.

The Club is committed to minimising risk and supporting venues, programmes, events and individuals to deliver a safe, positive and fun boating experience for everyone by creating a welcoming environment, both on and off the water, where everyone can have fun and develop their skills and confidence. The Club will treat everyone with respect, celebrate their achievements, listen to their views and experiences and provide opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential and be their authentic selves.

The Club will:

make reasonable endeavours to ensure that all individuals who work or volunteer with children, young people and adults at risk provide a positive, safe and enjoyable experience.
make reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is an RYA-registered Club Welfare Officer with the necessary skills and training who will take the lead in dealing with all safeguarding concerns with support from the RYA Safeguarding Team
make reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Club Welfare Officer name and contact details are known to all employees, volunteers, members and participants
Respond swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected abuse, referring to the RYA and external agencies as necessary
make reasonable endeavours to ensure that all information regarding safeguarding referrals is stored securely and confidentially
make reasonable endeavours to ensure that all those who work or volunteer with at risk groups have been recruited using safe recruitment practices and includes the appropriate criminal records disclosure checks
Report any concerns raised involving RYA staff, volunteers and credential holders to the RYA Safeguarding Team
Regularly review its safeguarding procedures and practices in the light of experience, to take account of legislative, social or technological changes or where there is a change of management as required.
Cooperate where necessary with multi-agency investigations and enquiries relating to serious case reviews involving children, young people and adults at risk, if there is an association with the sport and or recreation.

This policy will be reviewed by the Club committee at least every three years, or sooner if there are relevant changes to legislation or management.

Felpham Sailing Club recognises that EVERYONE has the right to be safeguarded and we must ALL take responsibility to ensure it.

The Club has a clear policy statement in regard to safeguarding and children protection which is published on the Club’s website and is included in the Club directory provided to members annually. This can be viewed in Appendix 6.

2. Safeguarding and Welfare Team Contact Details

Club Welfare Officer	Name: James Stanbridge Number: 07496 727058 Email: [email protected]
Police Emergency	Number: 999
Police Non-Emergency	Number: 101
Local Authority Children’s Services (West Sussex)	Call: 01403 229900
Local Authority Designated Officer	https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/social-care-and-health-information-for-professionals/children/early-help/children-s-services-general-enquiry-form
RYA Safeguarding Team Office Opening hours: • 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday	Number: 02380 012796 (Choose option 1 for Safeguarding and Option 3 for out of hours service) Email: [email protected]

RYA Legal Team

Email: [email protected]

3. Club Welfare Officer/ Designated Person

Although everyone has a role to play in ensuring that children are safe, the Club has a designated safeguarding lead (Club Welfare Officer) who oversees the safeguarding provision at the Club. The Club Welfare Officer is listed in the Club’s Safeguarding Policy Statement and on the Club’s website.

The Club Welfare Officer’s role is:

Maintaining up-to-date policy and procedures, compatible with the RYA’s.
Ensuring that relevant staff and/or volunteers are aware of and follow the procedures, including implementing safe recruitment procedures.
Advising the management committee on safeguarding and child protection issues.
Maintaining contact details for local Children’s Services and Police.

If there is a concern, the designated person would:

Be the first point of contact for any concerns or allegations, from children or adults, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained in all cases.
Decide on the appropriate action to be taken, in line with the organisation’s procedures and in conjunction with the person in charge (Commodore, Cadet Principal etc).
Keep the RYA informed as necessary

The Club Welfare Office is also responsible for managing the DBS checks and maintaining the Club DBS record.

4. Good Practice Guidelines

All members of the Club are made aware of Good Practice Guidance in regard to safeguarding and child protection through the annual Club directory. Cadets and their families are alerted to these guidelines through a guidance booklet. Cadets are also made aware of the procedures they need to follow if they have any concerns or worries about their own safeguarding in regard to any Club activity. All members should follow the good practice guidelines as set out in this guidance as set out in Appendix 7.

5. Photography / video

The Club will seek consent from parents/carers before taking photos or video of a child at an event or training session or publishing such images. Parents and spectators should be prepared to identify themselves if requested and state their purpose for photography/filming. If the Club publishes images of children, no identifying information other than names will be included. Any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography or the inappropriate use of images should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.

Any member of the Club failing to comply with the Safeguarding policy or any relevant Codes of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action under Club Rules.

6. Safer Recruitment of Staff and Volunteers

Felpham Sailing Club is committed to ensuring that only those with the right motivations and suitability are recruited into positions involving regular contact with children, young people and adults at risk within its work and volunteer force. The Club understands its legal responsibility within the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, to ensure that all its staff and volunteer recruitment practices are safe, fair and equal and allows it to identify, deter and reject staff or volunteers who may be at risk of abusing vulnerable groups.

Felpham Sailing Club will:

make reasonable endeavours to ensure the best possible staff and volunteers are recruited based on their merits, abilities and suitability for the position.
make reasonable endeavours to ensure that all applicants are considered equally and consistently, and that no applicant is treated unfairly based on any protected characteristics in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
Comply with all relevant legislation, recommendations and guidance including the statutory guidance published by the DfE (keeping children safe in education, the PREVENT Duty guidance) and any codes of practice published by any of the disclosure service providers.

All Club staff and volunteers whose role brings them into regular contact with young people will be vetted and asked to undergo an enhanced DBS check. The Club Welfare Officer and those regularly instructing, coaching or supervising young people will also be asked to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure, with Barred List check if appropriate. The DBS register is

managed by the Club Principal via the online RYA DBS service.

The vast majority of those engaged to work with cadets/ children at the Club have been involved with the club previously. Whilst of course background checks and deeper scrutiny in regard to motivations and attitudes is essential, this does mean that the Club already has knowledge of individuals wishing to work with the cadet programme. We believe this is an important aspect of ensuring all those who work with cadets/ children are safe to do so.

All applications, whether for paid or voluntary work, should be subject to an appropriate level of scrutiny. The level of checking is proportionate to the role and the level of risk involved and in line with relevant statutory requirements. The risk is higher if the person will be in regular contact with the same child or children, in sole charge of children with no parents or other adults present, and/or in a role involving authority and trust, such as an instructor or coach.

The Club has agreed a clear policy and apply it fairly and consistently:

who to check (including but not limited to)
- any paid staff and/or volunteers who will be directly engaged with cadets/ children at the Club.
- Club Welfare Officer(s)
- Club Cadet lead.
- Safety boat drivers
the level of check to be conducted for each category
- References where required
- Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure (and Barred List check if appropriate)

It is a criminal offence under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

• for a Barred individual to work in Regulated Activity/Regulated Work

for an organisation to knowingly allow someone who has been Barred to work in Regulated Activity/Regulated Work, and
for an organisation to fail to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service if they have dismissed someone from Regulated Activity/Regulated Work for harming a child or vulnerable adult or placing them at risk of harm, or would have dismissed them if they had not resigned.

Are they competent?

The Club ensures that each volunteer working with cadets/ children are competent for the role by:

explaining to the applicant a clear job or role description so that they understand what the work involves
checking that the applicant is competent for the role, e.g. they hold an appropriate and valid RYA instructor certificate, coach qualification or powerboat/safety boat certificate if required
providing an induction, training, mentoring or supervision to cover any areas where they may lack experience or confidence and familiarise them with your organisation’s operating procedures.

Are they safe?

As the role involves contact with cadets/ children, the Club:

asks them to provide information about their past career or relevant experience
explore their experience of and attitude towards working with children
if necessary, to take up references, at least one of which should be from someone who has first-hand knowledge of their previous work with children and make the nature of the work clear to the referees.
The vast majority of volunteers who work with cadets at the club are drawn from the club membership and are so known to the club.

7. Safeguarding Training

The Club makes reasonable endeavours to ensure that all staff or volunteers working with cadets/ children have undertaken training appropriate to their role. At the Club, this is:

Senior instructors (since all junior courses and cadets’ sessions are overseen by a SI)
Members of the cadets committee (who tend to be the most involved parents).

The Club provides its own training programme that covers the following:

Relevant vulnerabilities and forms of abuse to be aware of
What to do in the event of a disclosure by a cadet
How to raise concerns of a safeguarding issue
How to keep ourselves and cadets safe and free from situations that may compromise anyone’s safety or well-being

An outline of specific issues of vulnerability that may arise at the Club can be viewed in Appendix 1.

8. Felpham Sailing Club Safeguarding Reporting Procedure

The following reporting procedures align with the Reporting Procedure in the RYA Safeguarding Policy

Implementation, Review and Reporting

The Felpham Sailing Club Committee has overall accountability for this Policy and for its implementation. The Club Welfare Officer is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and organisational developments.

The FSC Safeguarding Case Management Group is responsible for advising and making recommendations on safeguarding cases, in line with this Policy.

All staff, volunteers, members and participants are responsible for raising safeguarding concerns /disclosures with the Club Welfare Officer or senior club official as outlined in the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure.

The Club Welfare Officer with support from Senior Club Officials is responsible for ensuring appropriate safeguarding training is put in place, specifically for those deemed to be in regulated activity with vulnerable groups and kept up to date with any safeguarding developments.

Where there is a safeguarding concern /disclosure:

The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern / disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure in Section 8

The Club Welfare Officer is responsible for assessing all safeguarding concerns / disclosures that are reported to them and collaborating with the RYA Safeguarding Team to follow up as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, always prioritising the well-being of all those involved in the disclosure. Dependent on the concern / disclosure, a referral may be made to:

The police in an emergency (999)
Local Authority Children’s Social Care Services for concerns / disclosures about a child
For referrals involving adults at risk – Local Authority Adult Social Care Services for concerns / disclosures about an adult at risk
For referrals involving children and young people – Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) (England; Wales); and the Criminal Records Disclosure Service4for concerns / disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer in a Position of Trust.
The RYA Safeguarding Team for all Level 1 and Level 2 categorised concerns

Case Management

All safeguarding records are categorised to a level accordingly:

Advice Any concern which does not meet the threshold for Levels 1 or 2 and involves seeking support or guidance for a specific matter. Advice cases can often escalate depending on the situation.
Level 1 Any concern about a named adult or child’s behaviour towards a child or adult at risk that does not meet the allegation threshold or is not otherwise serious enough to consider a referral to the Police, LADO, and or Children or Adult

Services of a Local Authority. Concerns may arise from both within the sport and outside of it.

Level 2 Any concern that meets the threshold for a referral to the Police, LADO, and or Children or Adult Services of a Local Authority. Alongside this an internal rating system can also be used of Low, Medium and High.

The threshold criteria outlined above is underpinned by guidance provided by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).

Highly sensitive information contained within safeguarding case records are restricted to the Club Welfare Officer. If the Case Management Group is convened, information pertaining to the concern will be shared securely and confidentially.

Data Storage

All case records are stored in line with the FSC Data Storage and Privacy Policies and relevant national legislation and guidance.

All advice case data is stored for 5 years from the date the referral was received.
Level 1 All level 1 case data is stored for 10 years from the date the referral was received.
Level 2 All level 2 case data is stored for 90 years from the date of birth of the subject of concern.

Case records are deleted / destroyed after the retention period set out above, unless the Club Welfare Officer decides that there is a reason to retain the information for a longer period.

Case Management Group

The FSC Case Management Group (CMG) is convened when a Level 2 referral is received. The group can also be convened if a Level 1 referral is serious enough in nature. The group can consist of any of the following members depending on where the referral originates from.

Name	Role / Position
James Stanbridge	Club Welfare Officer
	Club Commodore
	Club Rear Commodore for Sailing

The CMG is responsible for:

make reasonable endeavours ensuring that all allegations, incidents, or referrals related to the safeguarding of children and adults are dealt with in accordance with Club policies with appropriate timescales.
Making recommendations to the appropriate decision-making body regarding the appropriate steps to be taken.

External Assistance

The Club CMG may choose to appoint an external independent body to assist in any investigations where the following criteria is met:

Felpham Sailing Club does not have the expertise or skill set required to undertake the investigation
Felpham Sailing Club is under a conflict of interest
The case is so complex by nature that a third party would be necessary to support / undertake the investigation

In the case where the Club CMG chooses to instruct an independent body, it reserves the right to choose whichever independent body it deems most suitable given the circumstances. The Club CMG will make such a decision on a case-by-case basis.

9. Confidentiality:

The sharing of personal information within an organisation is not prevented by law. While appropriate confidentiality should be maintained, it is important to make sure the right people within the organisation are informed if the circumstances require this which is outlined in the Felpham Sailing Club Privacy Policy. If you are the recipient of a safeguarding disclosure, contact the Club Welfare Officer who will advise on the next steps, which may or may not include sharing that information with external agencies, however the following considerations should be taken into account:

Appendix 1: Safeguarding Guidance

Assessing Capacity

You must:

Involve the person who lacks capacity to the fullest extent possible
Have regard for past and present wishes and feelings, especially written statements
Consult with others who are involved in the person’s care
Not be discriminatory
Choose or decide on the least restrictive option
Take into consideration the benefits and burdens to the person

Types of Abuse: Children and Young People

Neglect: Neglect is not meeting a child’s basic physical or psychological needs. It can have a long-lasting impact on a child’s health or development. In sport, examples of neglect could include a coach or supervisor repeatedly:

failing to ensure children are safe

The definitions of harm were obtained from the Child Protection in Sport Unit Website:

exposing children to undue cold, heat or extreme weather conditions without ensuring adequate clothing or hydration
exposing children to unnecessary risk of injury by ignoring safe practice guidelines
failing to ensure the use of safety equipment
requiring young people to participate when injured or unwell

Physical Abuse: When someone deliberately hurts a child causing physical harm it is called physical abuse. It may involve hitting, kicking, shaking, pushing, poisoning, burning, biting, scalding, drowning or any other method of causing non-accidental harm. In sport, physical abuse may occur:

if the nature and intensity of training or competition exceeds the capacity of the child’s immature growing body
where coaches encourage the use of drugs or harmful substances to enhance performance or delay puberty
if athletes are required to participate when injured
if the sanctions used by coaches involve inflicting pain

Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is when a child is forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. This may involve physical contact or non-contact activities and can happen online or offline. Children and young people may not always understand that they are being sexually abused.

In sport, coaching techniques which involve physical contact with children can create situations where sexual abuse can be disguised. An abusive situation can also develop if a person in a position of authority, such as a coach, was to misuse their power.

Contacts made within sport and pursued through other routes, such as social media, have been used to groom children for abuse. Sexual abusers can also groom protective adults and organisations to create opportunities for abuse to take place.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited, they’re given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they’re in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they’re being abused.

Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse is the emotional maltreatment of a child, which has a severe and persistent negative effect on the child’s emotional development. In sport, emotional abuse may occur if:

children are subjected to repeated criticism, sarcasm, name-calling or racism
a child is ignored or excluded
children feel pressure to perform to unrealistically high expectations
children are made to feel like their value or worth is dependent on their sporting success

Bullying: Bullying is when individuals or groups seek to harm, intimidate or coerce someone who is perceived to be vulnerable. It can involve people of any age and can happen anywhere, including at home, school, sports clubs or online.

Bullying encompasses a range of behaviours which are often combined. It might include physical, verbal or emotional abuse, or online cyberbullying.

In sport, bullying can occur based on a young person’s sporting ability, body size or shape. It might include name-calling, offensive hand gestures, physical assault or exclusion from team activities.

Types of Abuse: Adults

The Care Act recognises 10 categories of abuse that may be experienced by adults.

Self-neglect: This covers a wide range of behaviour, but it can be broadly defined as neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health, or surroundings. An example of self-neglect is behaviour such as hoarding.

Modern Slavery: This encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude.

Domestic Abuse: This includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse perpetrated by anyone within a person’s family. It also includes so-called “honour” based violence.

Discriminatory Abuse: Discrimination is abuse that centres on a difference or perceived difference, particularly with respect to race, gender, disability, or any of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act.

Organisational Abuse: This includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting, such as a hospital or care home, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. Organisational abuse can range from one off incidents to ongoing ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice because of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.

Physical Abuse: This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraint, and misuse of medication. It can also include inappropriate sanctions.

Sexual Abuse: This includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault, or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.

Financial or Material Abuse: This includes theft, fraud, internet scamming, and coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions. It can also include the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.

Neglect and Acts of Omission: This includes ignoring medical or physical care needs and failing to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services. It also includes the withdrawing of the necessities of life, including medication, adequate nutrition, and heating.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse: This includes threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation, or withdrawal from services or supportive network

Four Additional Types of Adult Harm:

There are four additional types of harm that are not included in The Care Act, but they are also relevant to safeguarding adults.

Cyber Bullying: Cyber bullying occurs when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online, or repeatedly picks on another person through emails or text messages. It can also involve using online forums with the intention of harming, damaging, humiliating, or isolating another person. It includes various types of bullying, including racist bullying, homophobic bullying, or bullying related to special education needs and disabilities. The main difference is that, instead of the perpetrator carrying out the bullying face-to-face, they use technology to do it.

Forced Marriage: This is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or both of the parties are married without their consent or against their will. A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in which both parties’ consent to the assistance of a third party in identifying a spouse. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 makes it a criminal offence to force someone to marry.

Mate Crime: A “mate crime” is when “vulnerable people are befriending by members of the community who go on to exploit and take advantage of them” (Safety Network Project, ARC). It may not be an illegal act, but it still has a negative effect on the individual. A mate crime is carried out by someone the adult knows, and it often happens in private. In recent years there have been several Serious Care Reviews relating to people with a learning disability who were seriously harmed, or even murdered, by people who purported to be their friend.

Radicalisation: The aim of radicalisation is to inspire new recruits, embed extreme views and persuade vulnerable individuals to the legitimacy of a cause. This may be direct through a relationship, or through social media.

Other Safeguarding Considerations

Domestic Abuse: Women’s Aid define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in most cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In most cases, it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men. The Domestic Abuse Act 202110 is a new legislation which looks to Raise awareness and understanding about the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their families. It will work to further improve the effectiveness of the justice system in providing protection for victims of domestic abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice and strengthen the support for victims of abuse by statutory agencies.

Extremism: Extremism is 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. (HM Government Prevent Strategy 201111).

Non-recent Abuse: Abuse that occurred a period of time ago is sometimes referred to as non recent. For example, an adult might speak about abuse that took place in their childhood.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-abuse-bill-2020-factsheets/domestic-abuse-bill-2020- overarching-factsheet

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/revised-prevent-duty-guidance-for england-and-wales

Self-Harm: Self-harm is when someone deliberately hurts themselves. It can include cutting, burning, hitting or bruising, poisoning, scratching, hair-pulling or overdosing. Adults who self harm aren’t usually trying to commit suicide or looking for attention (although self-harming can result in accidental death). Often, it is a way for the person to deal with overwhelming or distressing feelings and emotions. Self-harming can be an indication of abuse, as some people use self-harm to cope with anxiety, stress and overwhelming emotions.

Gangs & County Lines: County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse. Children and young people may be criminally exploited in multiple ways. Other forms of criminal exploitation include child sexual exploitation, trafficking, gang and knife crime.

Forced Marriage: A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used to force them into the marriage. Forced marriage is illegal in the UK and is a form of domestic abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)12: FGM is when a female’s genitals are deliberately altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It’s also known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘cutting’ but has many other names. In the UK, this practice is illegal, but sadly still occurs and religious, social and cultural reasons are given to justify this practice.

Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms

Abuse: abuse covers every form of ‘abuse’, which differs between adults and children. Adult forms of abuse are sexual, emotional, psychological, material, financial, physical, discriminatory, organisational abuse and any acts of omission.

Adult at Risk England: any person aged 18 years and over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental health issues, learning or physical disability, sensory impairment, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of him/herself or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm or serious exploitation.

Case Management Group (CMG): the Case Management Group is responsible for ensuring that all allegations, incidents, or referrals related to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk are dealt with fairly and equitably within appropriate timescales. For the RYA the CMG consists of the Safeguarding and Equality Manager, Safeguarding Officer, relevant departmental manager/s representative from the legal team and the Independent Safeguarding Chair.

Club Welfare Officer: the designated individual within an affiliated club, recognised training centre or class association who holds the lead responsibility for safeguarding within their setting.

Consent: this is a term generally relating to adult safeguarding. Adults have a general right to independence, choice and self-determination including control over information about themselves. These rights can be overridden in certain circumstances, some examples include if a person lacks mental capacity, a crime has been committed, other people may be at risk, or the risk is unreasonably high.

Disclosure: disclosure is the process by which a child or adult at risk will let someone know that abuse is taking place. This may not happen all in one go and may be a slow process that takes place over a long period of time.

Duty of Care: the duty that rests upon an individual or organisation to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety of any person involved in an activity for which that individual or organisation is responsible.

LADO: a Local Authority Designated Officer is the designated person within every Local Authority who is responsible for co-ordinating the response to concerns that an adult who works with children may have caused them or could cause them harm.

Multi-Agency Meeting: a multi-agency meeting may take place when a referral has been made to the Police or LADO regarding a child or adult at risk and is a key part of the investigation process.

Position of Trust: an adult is in a position of trust where a young person in their care has some dependency on them and there is an element of vulnerability involved.

Referral: a request for help from and/or for an individual from a public body.

Referrer: the person who refers a safeguarding concern to the safeguarding lead, police, LADO or Local Authority.

Risk: the probability of something (e.g., harm to a child) happening. The harsher the damage caused by it happening and the more likely the event, the greater the overall risk.

Significant Harm: the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. Whether harm or likely harm suffered by a child is significant is determined by comparing the child’s health or development with that which could reasonably be expected of a similar child.

Subject of Concern (SoC): a person who is believed to have acted in a way that has caused harm to a child, young person or adult at risk.

Wellbeing: Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 requires local authorities and other specified agencies to co-operate with a view to improving the wellbeing of children in relation to the five outcomes first set out in “Every Child Matters”.

Young Person: a young person is a term used to describe the interim period between childhood and adult, typically between the ages of 14 and 17.

Appendix 3: Safeguarding Legislation and Associated Policies

Safeguarding is governed by several different legislations and guidance. This will vary depending on the country within the UK. The following table outlines the different legislation and guidance (with links) for each Home Country.

Key Legislation for Adults at Risk

Key Legislation for Children and Young People

England

o The Care Act 2014

o Care and Support

Statutory Guidance

(especially chapter 14)

2014

o The Children Act 1989

o Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019

o Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018

o Children and Families Act 2014

o The United Nations convention on the Rights of the Child 1992

Useful Contacts

RYA HQ Safeguarding Team

Tel: 02380 012796 Ext 1

E-mail: [email protected]

External Organisations:

NSPCC	https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line	0800 028 0285 / [email protected]
CPSU	https://thecpsu.org.uk/
Ann Craft Trust	https://www.anncrafttrust.org/
MIND	https://www.mind.org.uk/
Young Minds	https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Children 1st	https://www.children1st.org.uk/
Samaritans	https://www.samaritans.org/
Child Protection Scotland	https://www.childprotection.scot/
Emergency Services	999
Police Non-Emergency	101
NHS – Non-Emergency	111
NIAMH	https://www.communityni.org/node/45757
SAMH Scotland	https://www.samh.org.uk/

Criminal Records Disclosure Checks

As part of its safe recruitment practices, Felpham Sailing Club carries out criminal records disclosure checks using the RYA as an umbrella body on all staff and volunteers aged 16 or over who are deemed to be in regulated activity. If a person is deemed to be in regulated activity, the Disclosure Coordinator or Club Welfare Officer will initiate and carry out the required level of check. Further information on appropriate disclosure checks can be found on the following link

Further Signposting to RYA and other Guidance

Changing Rooms:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/media/445544/safe-use-of-changing-facilities-lg-july-2020.pdf RYA Changing Room Guidance – please email [email protected] for a copy

Media and Communications:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/help-advice/topics/online-safety/

https://thecpsu.org.uk/help-advice/topics/online-safety/#heading-top

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/photography-guidance-for-adults/

Challenging Behaviour:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/media/2488/managing-challenging-behaviour-review-july-14.pdf

Information Sharing:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/help-advice/topics/information-sharing

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/share-consent-confidentiality-and-information-sharing-in mental-healthcare-and-suicide-prevention/

Safe Event Planning and Execution:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/media/328759/safe-sport-events-activities-competitions-update-apr 2017.pdf

Online Safety:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/help-advice/topics/online-safety/

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/how-to-stay-safe-online-guidance-for-adults-and-young people-with-learning-disabilities/

Events held in public parks and spaces – additional safeguarding considerations: https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/events-held-in-public-parks-and-spaces/

Event Staff – Your Roles and Responsibilities:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/event-staff-your-roles-and responsibilities/

Safeguarding at Events – Weather Considerations:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/safeguarding-at-events-weather considerations/

Heatwave Advice:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/heatwave-advice-to-event-organisers/

Away Trips and Hosting:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/away-trips-and-hosting/

Transporting Children and Young People in Your Own Car:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/guidelines-on-transporting-a-child-or young-person-in-your-car/

Remote Teaching and Coaching:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/remote-teaching-and-coaching/

Virtual Events and Competitions for Children:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/virtual-events-and-competitions-for children/

Inclusive Coaching:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/inclusive-coaching/

Physical Contact and Young People in Sport:

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/physical-contact-and-young-people-in sport/

A Guide to Safeguarding Adults:

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/a-guide-to-safeguarding-adults/

Capacity – Guidance on Making Decisions:

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/capacity-making-decisions/

Appendix 6

Felpham Sailing Club Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Statement

As defined in the Children Act 1989, for the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child. The policy also applies to vulnerable adults.

It is the policy of FSC to safeguard children and young people taking part in boating from physical, sexual or emotional harm. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that, through appropriate procedures and training, children participating in club activities do so in a safe environment. We recognise that the safety and welfare of the child is paramount and that all children, whatever their age, gender, disability, culture, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, social status or sexual identity or orientation, have a right to protection from abuse.

FSC recognises that safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone, not just those who work with children. We therefore expect all members to treat all children with respect and celebrate their achievements. All members should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to

protect themselves from false allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate within Club organised activities:

Avoid spending any significant time working with children in isolation
Treat all young people equally, with respect and dignity.
Make sailing fun, enjoyable and promote fair play.
Ensure that if any form of manual support or physical contact is required (e.g. assisting in launching/recovery of boats, pulling out of water into a safety boat, etc.) this is minimised and provided openly. Where practical, it should be explained to the child what is happening.
Involve parents/carers wherever possible, e.g. for the responsibility of their children in the changing rooms*
Use of inappropriate language by children, and by adults in the hearing of children, should be challenged.
If a child is having difficulty with a wetsuit or buoyancy aid, ask them to ask a friend to help if at all possible
If you do have to help a child, make sure you are in full view of others, preferably another adult You should never:
allow or engage in inappropriate physical contact
allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged, or use such language yourself when with children
make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
fail to respond to an allegation made by a child; always act
do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves

*It is preferable for adults to stay away from the changing rooms while there are children there. However, this is often unavoidable because adults are sailing at the same time, it is therefore better if one adult is not alone when children are present. Parents should be aware that adult club members may be in the changing rooms.

Stay covered!

In order to safeguard the interests of all members, FSC requires that swimsuits or underwear are worn at all times by members whilst using the changing rooms and showers.

Policies Adopted by Felpham Sailing Club Committe

April 2026