Safeguarding Policy

Scope

This safeguarding policy covers Poole Chess Club chess club evenings and events.

• Safeguarding Lead: Steve safeguarding@poolechessclub.org.uk
• Alternative contact, Chairman: Tarik chair@poolechessclub.org.uk
• Alternative contact outside the club hierarchy, Dorset Chess Safeguarding Lead: Nikki nikkiforster2015@gmail.com

Introduction

Whilst the primary function of the Poole Chess Club is to promote chess and participate in the B&DCL and Dorset League, it recognises the importance of the welfare of children, and vulnerable persons attending the club. Poole Chess Club is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

Please note all references to children in this document apply equally to vulnerable persons.
The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances as enshrined in the Children Act 1989. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or socioeconomic background, all children:

• Shall have a positive and enjoyable experience of chess in a safe and child centred environment, and
• are protected from harm and abuse whilst participating in chess or outside of the activity.

It also aims to provide Poole Chess Club officers and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

Poole Chess Club acknowledge that some children, including disabled children or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

As part of our safeguarding policy Poole Chess Club will: –

• Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children.
• Value, listen to and respect children.
• Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify, and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children.
• Ensure the recording and storing and using information relating to children is handled professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
• Make clear who the designated Lead for Safeguarding is, and who any Safeguarding Officers are and their roles.
• Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support is provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
• Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
• Prevent the deployment of unsuitable individuals.
• Share concerns with agencies who need to know, involving parents and children appropriately.

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Poole Chess Club including its officers and any volunteers acting on its behalf. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

The Child Protection Code of Conduct is set out in Appendix 1.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system.

Lead for Safeguarding

Poole Chess Club will have a Lead for Safeguarding or Safeguarding Officer who will take leadership responsibility for the organisation’s safeguarding arrangements.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS) – regulated activities

When running a regulated activity, at least one Poole Chess Club representative must have a current enhanced DBS check and have undertaken ‘safeguarding’ awareness training. A regulated activity will be determined in accordance with relevant legislation, as summarised on the National Council for Voluntary Organisation (NCVO) website Disclosure and barring service (DBS) | NCVO , and with professional guidance.

In general, persons whose activities involve regularly caring for, supervising, training, communicating with or being in sole charge of children on behalf of Poole Chess Club should assess whether a DBS check is required.

Persons in Poole Chess Club positions will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance, if they meet the eligibility criteria, as summarised by the NCVO and are in a lead role with responsibility for and contact with children

• The Lead for Safeguarding and Safeguarding Officers;
• Other roles which involve the lead responsibility for and contact with children,

Photography policy statement

We recognise that:

• Sharing photographs and films of our activities can help us celebrate the successes and achievements of our children, provide a record of our activities and raise awareness of our organisation. These will be posted on the Poole Chess Club or Dorset Chess websites or published in the Dorset Chess Newsletter, or other appropriate media or communication.
• The welfare of the children taking part in our activities is paramount.
• Children, their parents, and carers have a right to decide whether their images are taken and how these may be used, regardless of age, disability, race, religion, belief, gender or sexual orientation.

We will obtain appropriate written consent from parents/guardians prior to any photograph being taken or published in which a child is visibly identifiable.

Photographs will be taken by authorised Poole Chess Club members or relevant volunteers.

Photographs provided by the parent/guardian of the child/ children who is/are the subject of the photograph will also be published if the parent/guardian has provided the photograph for this purpose.

Becoming aware of a safeguarding issue

Poole Chess Club recognises that there are many ways that an organisation or individual may become aware about a child’s safety. For example:

• a third party or anonymous allegation is received;
• a child’s appearance, behaviour, play, or statements cause suspicion of abuse and/or neglect;
• a child reports an incident(s) of alleged abuse;
• a written report is made regarding the serious misconduct towards a child;
• an incident is witnessed;
• a police charge is made.

No safeguarding issue will be ignored or dismissed by Poole Chess Club as “minor”.

Dealing with a safeguarding incident

Poole Chess Club will take seriously any reported incidence of a breach in safeguarding during or related to any DCCA event.

Appendix 2 sets out guidance.

Monitoring

The policy will be reviewed regularly as appropriate, or in the following circumstances:

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance.
• as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board or Poole Chess Club.
• as a result of any other significant change or event.

The Poole Chess Club Safeguard Policy will be approved by the AGM.

Appendix 1

Poole Chess Club Child Protection Code of Conduct for Officers and Volunteers

Poole Chess Club recognises that its officers and volunteers involved in chess for children and young people have a great opportunity to be a positive role model and help build an individual’s confidence.
Officers and volunteers are expected to:

• Ensure the safety of all children by providing effective supervision and proper planning of organised chess events;
• Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before engaging in organising chess events;
• Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour;
• Treat all children fairly and ensure they feel valued and respected, and have no favourites;
• Encourage all children not to discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race, gender, social classes or ability;
• Not allow any bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour;
• Appreciate the efforts of all children and encourage sensible participation in chess events; never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward;
• Be positive, approachable and offer praise to promote the objectives of Poole Chess Club at all times;
• Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind or poor practice go unchallenged or unrecorded. Incidents and accidents to be recorded in the line with Poole Chess Club procedures. Parents will be informed;
• Never use sanctions that humiliate or harm children;
• Report accidents or incidents of alleged abuse to the designated Safeguarding Officer;
• Administer minor first aid (if appropriate) in the presence of others and where required refer more serious incidents to the designated first aider or send for/to medical assistance. Avoid administering first aid involving the removing of children’s clothing unless in the presence of others;
• Have access to a telephone for immediate contact with emergency services if required;
• Ensure the rights and responsibilities of children are enforced;
• Establish and address the additional needs of disabled participants or other vulnerable groups;
• Not abuse children physically, emotionally or sexually;
• Not engage in a sexual relationship with a child for whom they are responsible;
• Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information;
• Respect and listen to the opinions of children;
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect;
• Be a role model, displaying consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance (disciplined/committed/time keeping) towards children.
• Not accept or give individual gifts to children without permission from parents/guardians;
• Not add minors to their social media accounts or have telephone numbers unless parents have given permission;
• Not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children except in exceptional circumstances;
• Never take children to their home, hotel bedroom or similar (e.g. for coaching) without the additional presence of a person who is, or is authorised by, their parent/guardian, or without explicit parental/guardian consent;
• Not have any inappropriate verbal or physical contact (Including suggestive gestures) with/in front of children .

Appendix 2
Stages of Acting on a Concern
Stage 1

• Initially talk to a child vulnerable person about what you are observing, has been observed or have been told. However, never use leading questions.
• Listen carefully to what the child / vulnerable person has to say and take it seriously. Act at all times towards the child as if you believe what they are saying.
• It is not the responsibility of groups to investigate incidences of suspected abuse but to gather information and refer only. No photographs of injuries or video the child/vulnerable person should be taken.
• Explain to children that any information they have given may have to be shared with others, if this indicates they and or other children are at risk of harm.
• Notify the Safeguarding Officer or Safeguarding Lead.
• Record what was said as soon as possible after any disclosure and ensure it is signed and dated (see form below).
• Respect confidentiality and file documents securely.

Stage 2

The Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Officer should take immediate action if there is a suspicion that a child has been abused or is likely to be abused. In this situation the Safeguarding Officer should obtain further information, and if the suspicion remains should contact the children’s services, or the police.

NB: Parents / carers will need to be informed about any referral to the children’s services unless to do so would place the child at an increased risk of harm.

Handling allegations within Poole Chess Club.

It is the duty of everyone in Poole Chess Club to pass on any concerns or allegations of child abuse without delay:

• All concerns should be referred to the Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Officer.
• It is important to share any child protection concerns with Children’s Social Care Services and to make a joint and open decision as to how to proceed.
• In the rare situations that the concerns are about the Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Officer, it is important to refer to alternative safeguarding contact. If this is not possible, any member may personally refer direct to Children’s Social Care Services.
• In an emergency, dialling 999 may be the only sensible course of action.

APPENDIX 3

For purposes of recording any allegations of safeguarding breaches, please use the following form.