Ground Hammer Training Centre Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Ground Hammer Training Centre acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child, young person and vulnerable adult who has been entrusted into its care, and is committed to provide a safe, friendly and inclusive working environment for all of its members. A child or young person is defined as anyone under the age of 18 involved in any manner of club activity, and a vulnerable adult is defined as anyone who may be unable to take care of themselves, or is unable to protect themselves, against significant harm or exploitation. Ground Hammer subscribes to the following safeguarding and child protection policy documents as its best-practice guidelines:

UKBJJA child protection policy document

https://www.ukbjja.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/UKBJJA-Child-Protection-Policy.pdf

Sport England Safeguarding code in Martial Arts

https://www.safeguardingcode.com/benefits

UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS)

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-council-for-child-internet-safety-ukccis

 

Ground Hammer Key Safeguarding Principles

The welfare of the child (young adult) is, and always must be, of paramount consideration. All children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their religion, age, ethnic origin, special needs, disability, class or social background, sexual orientation, marital status or political affiliations. All suspicions or allegations of abuse (both in-person or online) or poor practice will be taken seriously, and the response will be swift, appropriate and fair.

Ground Hammer acknowledges that every child, young person and vulnerable adult that participates in club activity should be able to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment and should be protected from poor practice and abuse. Every adult, in conjunction with the coaching staff, is responsible for ensuring that this is achieved.

The safeguarding and child welfare rules adopted by Ground Hammer to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from physical, sexual or emotional harm, and from neglect and bullying (both in-person or online), applies to all members, volunteers, medical staff, referees and coaching staff.

Ground Hammer Safeguarding lead (Merv Harries) will be responsible for ensuring best practice procedures and techniques are followed in relation to the guideline documents (above) and the club’s own safeguarding principles. The SL should be the first point of contact for all club members and parents/carers regarding concerns for the welfare of any child, young person or vulnerable adult. The SL will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns to the appropriate authorities and will play a proactive role in increasing the awareness of poor practice and/or abuse and negligence by club members.

Ground Hammer acknowledges the fact that bullying of any kind is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. No distinctions will be made between in-person or online bullying and both will be treated with the same degree of seriousness. Any incidents of bullying observed by any member of the club should be reported to the SL in the first instance, or in the case of serious incidents to the appropriate authorities.

Each adult member training at Ground Hammer is responsible for reading and adhering to these outline principles and the best-practice guideline documents.