Our Safeguarding policy is in place to ensure all young participants feel safe when taking part in Squash coaching sessions at our collaborative partner’s facilities.
Onyx Squash Academy acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and England Squash requirements.
Our international partners adhere to their Safeguarding rules under their national Squash governing body.
Definitions
The Children Act 1989 definition of a child as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently, is a member of the armed forces, or is in hospital.
A Disclosure is only requested after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned.
Unless the nature of the position allows the Directors of the Onyx Squash Academy to ask questions about an entire criminal record, the Club will only ask about “unspent” convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. As such, the level of DBS check requested will correlate directly with the role in question.
We strive to conduct DBS checks every three years.
A record of the dates of checks are recorded and are filed on the personnel files of all staff, volunteers, and advisory board members.
About this Safeguard policy
The Safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background, all children:
- have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport in our commercial partner organisation in a safe and child centred environment
- are protected from abuse whilst participating in Squash or outside of the activity.
Onyx Squash Academy acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people 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 Onyx Squash Academy will:
- promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
- 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 and young people
- 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 employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
- ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Onyx Squash Academy.
Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.
Monitoring
The policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances:
- changes in legislation and/or government guidance
- as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, UK Sport and/or Home Country Sports Councils, and England Squash
- as a result of any other significant change or event.
The Onyx Squash Academy Ltd is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for children and young people to enjoy playing squash.
We do this by:
- Appointing a Schools Links Co-ordinator who is responsible for children and young people, who will take specific responsibility for child safety, and who will act as the main point of contact for parents, children and outside agencies.
- Ensuring all new volunteers and coaches received DBS checks prior to taking up employment with the Onyx Squash Academy.
- Ensuring that all our coaches, officials and volunteers are carefully selected and by accepting responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children and young people in their care.
- Respond swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, by providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.
- Ensuring access to confidential information is restricted to the person responsible for children and young people or the appropriate external authorities.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of our company’s Child Protection Policy and its activities, each year at the meetings with the Advisory Board and Volunteers.
In line with COVID-19 guidelines, all our service users will have to adhere to the protocols as set by our commercial partners.
A full copy of our Safeguarding Policy is available by request.
POLICY BY: Directors of THE ONYX SQUASH ACADEMY
DATE: 17th May 2019 (Updated on 2nd August 2022)
