Dorchester Badminton Club

Policy Owner: Dorchester Badminton Club
Policy approved by: DBC Executive Committee

Date Policy approved:

21st October 2024

Next review Date:

November 2026

1. Introduction

Dorchester Badminton Club is committed to providing the best safeguarding standards and to upholding the rights of all adults to live a life free from harm from abuse, exploitation and neglect.

We will safeguard adults by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe. This extends to recognising and reporting harm experienced anywhere, including within our activities, in the community, in the person’s own home and in any care setting.

Our Safeguarding Adults Policy applies to all individuals, whether as a player, coach, volunteer or spectator.

2. Principles

2.1

Dorchester Badminton Club believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status.

2.2

Dorchester Badminton Club is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.

2.3

We acknowledge that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility, and we are committed to preventing abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults involved in our activities.

2.4

Dorchester Badminton Club recognises that health, wellbeing, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience. We recognise that these factors can vary at different points in people’s lives.

2.5

Actions taken by Dorchester Badminton Club will be consistent with the principles of adult safeguarding ensuring that any action taken is prompt, proportionate and that it includes and respects the voice of the adult concerned.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

3.1

As a club affiliated to Badminton England Dorchester Badminton Club will:

3.1.1

Adopt and implement the Badminton England Safeguarding Adults Policy, procedures and guidelines.

3.1.2

Appoint a Club Welfare Officer in line with the Badminton England guidelines and role description.

3.1.3

Provide access to appropriate training, guidance and support. Ensuring that all committee members, coaches, volunteers and club members are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.

3.1.4

Implement a policy of best practice and adhere to the Badminton England Codes of Ethics and Behaviour.

3.1.5

Use safer recruitment practices and continually assess the suitability of volunteers and/or staff to prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals in our club and within the sporting community.

3.1.6

Ensure everyone within Dorchester Badminton Club is aware of the safeguarding adult procedures and know what to do and who to contact if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adul

3.1.7

Ensure the wellbeing of those at risk of harm will be put first and the adult is actively supported to communicate their views and the outcomes they want to achieve.

4. Signs and Indicators of Abuse and Neglect

4.1

The Care Act 2014 states that safeguarding duties apply to Adults at Risk and defines this as those who:

Have needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority if meeting any of those needs; andAre experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; andAs a result of those care and support needs, are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Dorchester Badminton Club understands that the definition of an Adult at Risk could include any adult given their circumstances at a particular time.

4.2

There are many signs and indicators that may suggest someone is being abused or neglected. The signs and symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

Unexplained bruises, injuries or lack of medical attention when an injury is present.

Personal belongings or money going missing.

No longer attending or no longer enjoying their sessions. You may notice that a member of your club has been missing from sessions and is not responding to messages.

Weight gain, weight loss, an unkempt appearance or a deterioration in personal hygiene.

A change in the behaviour or confidence of a person.

Self-harm.

A fear of a particular group of people or individuals.

A parent/carer always speaks for the person and doesn’t allow them to make their own choices.

A person may tell you that they are being abused.

5. Reporting and Responding to Concerns

5.1

Everyone at Dorchester Badminton Club should feel confident to raise a concern, no matter how small.

5.2

Dorchester Badminton Club believe that sharing concerns, taking them seriously and dealing with them swiftly, when they occur, supports a proactive safeguarding culture.

5.3

Dorchester Badminton Club recognises that there is a legal framework within which sports need to work to safeguard adults who have needs for care and support and for protecting those who are unable to take action to protect themselves and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation and with local statutory safeguarding procedures.

5.4

Dorchester Badminton Club will ensure that any confidential information relating to safeguarding matters is shared appropriately and only with those who need to know. Information may need to be shared with the County Welfare Officer, Badminton England or local agencies with statutory responsibility for safeguarding. If we are unsure, we will seek advice from Badminton England.

5.5

Dorchester Badminton Club understand that adults have a right to self-determination and ultimately, an adult may choose not to act at all to protect themselves.

6. Consequences

6.1

Dorchester Badminton Club understand that it shall be a ground for action to be taken where an organisation/person over whom Badminton England has jurisdiction is found to have harmed the safety and/or welfare of any individual, or whose conduct (whether in badminton or not) is deemed to pose an actual or potential risk of harm to the safety and/or welfare of any individual badminton.

7. Monitoring and Review

7.1

This Policy has been developed based on the principles contained within UK legislation and Government guidance, complementing Local Safeguarding Boards’ procedures.

7.2

This policy will be reviewed every two years, or whenever there is a major change in legislation, statutory guidance or significant organisational change.

8. Further Information

8.1

This policy is supported by the following documents:

Badminton England Safeguarding Adults Policy

Badminton England Disciplinary Regulations

Dorchester Badminton Club Code of Conduct

Badminton England Codes of Ethics and Behaviour

These are available on request by emailing [email protected]