Rationale Breakaways Netball Club is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all to play netball. It accepts its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all and protect them from poor practices, abuse, and bullying. It is vital, that it is recognised that some members may be more vulnerable than others and that some, regretfully may encounter extra barriers due to their race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, social background, and culture; as per England Netball’s guidance on Governance and Safeguarding – https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/governance/safeguarding/
 
Breakaways Netball Club Safeguarding Policy and Procedures apply to all individuals involved, paid or in a voluntary capacity.
 
Everyone has a responsibility.

Principles

1.     Anyone under the age of 18 will be considered a child in relation to Safeguarding

2.    The safety and welfare of all members is paramount

3.     All members, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, social status or sexual orientation have the right to be protected from abuse

4.     The rights, dignity and worth of all members should always be respected

5.     All allegations, complaints of poor practice and alleged breaches of England Netball Codes of Conduct will be taken seriously and responded to quickly in line with the England Netball Policy and Procedures

6.    It is the responsibility of safeguarding leads to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is everyone’s responsibility in netball to act appropriately and report concerns

7.     Breakaways Netball Club recognises the role and responsibilities of the statutory agencies safeguarding members and is committed to complying with the procedures of the Local Children Services and/or Police


Roles and Responsibilities
 
Breakaways Netball Club have:

1.     Appointed Safeguarding Leads in line with the England Netball Recruitment Guidelines and Volunteer Role description to manage safeguarding and child protection

2.    Adopted and implemented the England Netball Safeguarding Guidelines

3.    Ensured and will continue to ensure that all committee members and club members are aware of their responsibility in safeguarding

4.    Supported and will continue to support their members through accessing education and training opportunities in relation to safeguarding

5.    Worked and will continue to work in partnership with parents/carers and members within the club

6.    Implemented a policy of Best Practice in accordance with England Netball

7.    Ensured and will continue to ensure that all relevant members who have regular supervisory contact with children are safely recruited according to England Netball guidelines which includes the completion of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with England Netball
 
All coaches, volunteers, umpires, or managers must not spend time alone with children away from others.  Transporting of children will require parental/guardian consent and if it should arise that such situations are unavoidable, they should only take place with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge of the club/England Netball and/or a person with parental responsibility for the young person. In exceptional circumstances where a coach, manager, or volunteer cannot obtain the consent of someone in charge in the Club/England Netball and/or a person with parental responsibility for the young person then if it is in the welfare interest of the child, preceding paragraph does not have to be followed.

 

Breakaways Netball Club ensures that all adults working with young people are familiar with the safeguarding policies and procedures set out by England Netball and available on their website. https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/governance/safeguarding/safeguarding-policies/
 


Disclosure and Barring Service
 
All adults who have regular supervisory contact with children and/or are in regulated activity must hold a valid Enhanced Certificate check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).  Disclosures are
conducted through England Netball who have jurisdiction to deal with any matter arising from any such disclosure.  On occasion, adults may have a valid certificate from other work they carry out and the committee may agree to accept that disclosure.  A record of all officials and their disclosure number and date carried out, together with the registered body, will be always maintained.
 
 
Behaviour Concerns
 
If there is a concern regarding behaviour, then this concern will be shared with the England Netball Lead Child Protection Officer and/or Club Safeguarding Lead.  All information received and discussed will be treated in confidence and only shared with those individuals who will be able to manage and resolve the situation. On occasion, it may be necessary to seek advice or inform the statutory agencies e.g.  The Police or Children’s Services (formerly Social Services). All concerns will be taken seriously and managed accordingly within the Safeguarding Policy.
 

Positions of Trust

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. For example, as adults, we would always make sure that every child is safe from the normal day
to day dangers.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individuals identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Child protection is focused on three key areas:

1.     Causing themselves significant harm, including death

2.    Causing somebody else significant harm, including death

3.    Significant harm, including death being caused to them

Breakaways Netball Club have a duty to raise concerns about the behaviour of coaches, umpires, volunteers, administrators and professional staff which may be harmful to the members without prejudice to their own position.
 
Breakaways Netball Club
Reviewed: November 2024