Safeguarding and Adults
Porthmadog Sailing Club Safeguarding Adults Policy Statement
Porthmadog Sailing Club (PSC) is committed to safeguarding adults at risk taking part in its activities from physical, sexual, psychological, financial or discriminatory abuse or neglect. We recognise that everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage or civil partnership or social status, has a right to protection from discrimination and abuse.
Porthmadog Sailing Club (PSC) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through safe recruitment, appropriate operating procedures and training, it offers a safe environment to adults at risk participating in its activities. All participants will be treated with dignity and respect.
All members and volunteers should be aware of the policy.
Club Safeguarding Officer
The Club Safeguarding Officers are:
Martin Matthias Telephone: 07970832850 E-mail: Commodore@sailing-club.org
Carol McWeeney E-mail: carolann.mcweeney@outlook.com
Coaching\Training
It is currently the policy of the club that members do not offer organised training or coaching sessions or activities to a vulnerable adult while being in sole charge with no carers or other appropriate adults present.
Good Practice
All members of the Club should follow the good practice guidelines attached (see RYA Sample Document 4). Those working with adults at risk should be aware of the guidance on recognising abuse (see RYA Appendix A).
Concerns
Anyone who is concerned about the welfare of an adult, either outside the sport or within the Club, should inform the Club Safeguarding Officer immediately, in strict confidence.The Club Safeguarding Officer will follow the attached procedures(see RYA Flowcharts 1 and 2).
Porthmadog Sailing Club
Safeguarding Adults
Policy and Guidelines
October 2020
Taken From RYA Guidance
Version 5
February 2020
Royal Yachting Association
RYA House, Ensign Way
Hamble, Southampton
SO31 4YA
Tel: 023 8060 4104
E-mail: safeguarding@rya.org.uk
RYA Safeguarding Adults Policy and Guidelines
Contents
Who could be regarded as an ‘adult at risk’ or ‘vulnerable adult’?
Porthmadog Sailing Club Safeguarding Adults Policy Statement ..……………..8
Criminal Records Disclosures (DBS)
Confidentiality and data storage
Responsibilities of staff and volunteers
Responsibilities of participants and carers
Individual responsibility and club liability
First aid and medical treatment
6 Handling concerns, reports or allegations
Recording and handling information
Sample Document 1 – Application form
Sample Document 2 – Reference request
Sample Document 3 – Self-declaration form
Sample Document 4 – Good Practice Guide
Sample Document 5 – Club Code of Conduct
Sample Document 6 – Booking and Parental Consent form
Sample Document 7 – Safeguarding referral form
Appendix B – RYA Instructor Code of Conduct
Appendix C – RYA Coach Code of Ethics and Conduct
Part 1 – Policy
1 Introduction
Revised April 2017
These guidelines have been produced by the RYA to help our club to enable all adults, especially those who could be defined as ‘at risk’ or ‘vulnerable’, to enjoy the sport of sailing in all its forms, in a safe environment. This policy has been adapted to meet the requirements of Porthmadog Sailing Club. The original document can be downloaded in its entirety from the RYA’s website: www.rya.org.uk/go/safeguarding
If our club provides training or activities for adults at risk, it is strongly recommended that we adopt a policyand some straightforward procedures to put the policy into practice.
There are several good reasons for doing this:
to safeguard adults, both on and off the water
to assure adults at risk, and their carers where relevant, that they are safe when taking part in activities at our club
to raise awareness amongst all of our members, volunteers or employees so that they know what to do if they are concerned about an adult, whether the concern relates to their welfare at our site, or to something happening outside that environment that the individual discloses to someone they trust in our club
to protect volunteers and staff by giving them some practical, common sense guidelines to avoid placing themselves in situations where they are open to allegations which could seriously damage their lives and careers
to protect the club, by showing that you have taken ‘all reasonable steps’ to provide a safe environment.
Our club is therefore strongly advised to take the following steps:
Adopt a policy statement that defines the club’s commitment to providing a safe environment.
Produce a simple code of practice and procedures governing how the club runs. This should cover:
the safe recruitment of staff or volunteers who will be in contact with adults at risk (see Section 4)
good practice guidelines to ensure the safety and welfare of adults at risk at all times whilst at our site, both on and off the water (see Section 5)
handling concerns, reports or allegations (see Section 6).
Everyone in the club should be aware of the policy and have access to the supporting procedures, and those working with adults at risk must be familiar with the procedures.
Although our club does not currently work with children and young people aged under 18, we do have separate Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Guidelines based on current RYA documentation. This can be reques