Policies and documents

Statement of purpose Aquaforge Limited is committed to ensuring that everyone can participate in paddle sport in a safe and supportive environment that is free from neglect, abuse, and poor practice. We intend to do this by preventing and responding to risks of harm to and promoting the welfare of all children and adults at risk that we work with, these individuals are referred to as the “Beneficiaries” of this safeguarding policy. We recognise the importance of this commitment to safety and welfare and, further, are committed to safeguarding all beneficiaries without discrimination due to an individual’s age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marriage or civil partnership status, or sexual orientation. This safeguarding policy is based on the safeguarding laws of England, Wales, and Scotland, including related guidance issued by the UK Government and relevant governmental departments, agencies, and public bodies. If this policy is at any time inconsistent with this body of law, Aquaforge Limited will act to meet the requirements of up-to-date safeguarding laws in priority to the requirements set out in this policy. Aquaforge limited has implemented this safeguarding policy in order to meet its obligations as an organisation which may undertake work with children and at-risk adults. Any questions in relation to this policy should be referred to the company directors in the first instance, by emailing aquaforgecoaching@gmail.com Scope of this safeguarding policy This policy explains key aspects of how Aquaforge Limited prevents harm in relation to its beneficiaries via its practices and its staff member’s conduct. This safeguarding policy covers the organisation and operation of all of Aquaforge Limited’s activities involving children and adults at risk (i.e. Relevant Activities). These primarily include: a.Paddlesport coaching b.Paddlesport leadership or guiding c.Provision of accredited courses This policy’s guidelines and obligations apply to all individuals working for or acting on behalf of Aquaforge Limited in the UK at all levels (Staff members). This policy does not form part of any contract of employment or similar and Aquaforge Limited may amend it at any time at our absolute discretion. Defining safeguarding “Safeguarding” is an umbrella term that refers to work (e.g. practices and procedures) aimed at preventing or responding to harm or risks of harm posed to vulnerable individuals, and at promoting those individuals’ wider welfare. Safeguarding is particularly important for children and adults at risk. Most safeguarding legal obligations relate to the care of these groups, and these are the groups to whom the protections set out in this policy apply. For the purposes of this policy: a.Children are individuals younger than 18 years old. b.Adults at risk are individuals 18 years old or over (in England and Wales) or 16 years old or over (in Scotland) who have care and/or support needs and who are, because of these needs, unable to protect themselves from harm (e.g. due to an illness or disability). This need not be on a permanent basis. The commitments and practices contained in this safeguarding policy apply to the safeguarding of Aquaforge Limited’s beneficiaries from harm caused by either: a.The activities and practices of Aquaforge Limited and any conduct of its staff members, or b.People and situations outside of Aquaforge Limited’s and its staff members control, where Aquaforge Limited’s staff members are aware of, ought to be aware of, or reasonably suspect the risks posed by a situation. For the purpose of this policy, a “Safeguarding concern” is any conduct or situation that is known or reasonably suspected by a staff member or another party that risks violating the safeguarding commitments set out above. Key measures that Aquaforge Limited is committed to implementing and maintaining to safeguard its beneficiaries Ensuring that staff members are trained to and encouraged to report any safeguarding concerns that they identify. Staff members will be encouraged to follow Aquaforge Limited’s safeguarding reporting procedures as closely as possible when reporting concerns (set out below under the heading “Procedures: Reporting”). Ensuring that all staff members listen to all safeguarding-related queries and concerns raised by any relevant parties, with respect and professionalism. Staff members should be trained how to, and encouraged to then assist with reporting any such concerns via Aquaforge Limited’s regular reporting procedures. Ensuring that all reported safeguarding concerns are dealt with by appropriate individuals in accordance with Aquaforge Limited’s relevant procedures (set out below under the heading “Procedures: Investigation and response”). Implementing and maintaining comprehensive, accessible, fair, and efficient procedures for staff members to use when reporting and dealing with safeguarding concerns. These procedures will be made known and easily accessible to all staff members. a.Procedures will be designed to ensure all safeguarding issues are dealt with fairly and objectively even when allegations are made against one of Aquaforge Limited’s staff members. Any such allegations will be treated in a manner that takes into account the gravity of the accusations, but which does not vilify or presume the guilt of an accused individual without fair investigation. b.Any reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law will be treated securely and in a protected manner in line with whistleblowing law. Appointing the directors to hold responsibility for managing safeguarding policies and procedures within Aquaforge Limited. Following appropriate recruitment processes when recruiting new staff members this includes (Where appropriate): a.Conducting all appropriate pre-employment checks (e.g., Disclosure and barring service (DBS) criminal record checks) b.Ensuring new staff members take part in and understand the content of all necessary safeguarding training before having any contact with Aquaforge Limited’s beneficiaries. Providing appropriate safeguarding training for all relevant staff members, every staff member should be provided with and required to undertake, training that is appropriate to their role, responsibilities and degree and type of contact with beneficiaries. This should, where appropriate, include training on: a.How to define, and identify potential signs of different types of abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect and others. b.How to listen to and respond to concerns or disclosures about safeguarding issues during an initial conversation (e.g. how to explain when information can and cannot be kept confidential). c.How to use Aquaforge Limited’s safeguarding reporting procedures and when doing so is appropriate. d.Which additional resources are available to ensure staff members remain informed about safeguarding. Ensuring that all information related to safeguarding concerns, including the content of reported concerns as well as the personal data of anybody involved is handled safely and securely. This involves: a.Following the requirements set out by the UK’s data protection laws including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. b.Following Aquaforge Limited’s data protection policies. c.Providing staff members with training on data protection and privacy where appropriate. d.Ensuring staff members always have an identifiable point of contact for questions or concerns about data protection and privacy, this is currently the directors, who can be contacted by emailing aquaforgecoaching@gmail,.com e.Only sharing information about a safeguarding concern internally as necessary to mange the concern for the relevant beneficiary’s benefit. Ensuring transparency and awareness regarding safeguarding information and procedures for example, by: a.Providing information to our beneficiaries about our safeguarding procedures so they are aware of how to raise any concerns. b.Ensuring all staff members are aware of safeguarding laws, Aquaforge Limited’s safeguarding commitments and procedures and staff members’ responsibilities in relation to these. Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up to date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for Aquaforge Limited’s relevant activities and workforce, and meeting any review and evaluation requirements that may be applicable. Staff member’s responsibilities All staff members have a responsibility to promote the safety and well-being of Aquaforge Limited’s beneficiaries. This means that all of Aquaforge Limited’s policies and procedures relevant to safeguarding and all UK laws relevant to safeguarding must be followed at all times. All staff members must contribute to upholding the key measures that Aquaforge limited has committed to taking to safeguard its beneficiaries (set out above) to an extent that is appropriate for their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with beneficiaries. If a staff member is uncertain as to their responsibilities, it is their responsibility to raise this with the directors. Staff members must actively participate in all safeguarding training they are assigned and, if they do not understand any aspects of their training, must raise this with the directors Staff members must never do anything to actively risk the safety of or wellbeing of any of Aquaforge Limited’s beneficiaries. This includes, but is not limited to: a.Subjecting them to or facilitating abuse of any sort. b.Participating in or facilitating any activities that may commercially exploit beneficiaries. For example, failing to report suspect child labour or trafficking. Staff members must report all safeguarding concerns that they have regarding beneficiaries, regardless of whether the concerns relate to potential wrongdoing of other staff members, or beneficiaries, or external parties. Procedures: Reporting Staff members will receive safeguarding training that should enable them to identify safeguarding concerns relevant to Aquaforge Limited’s Beneficiaries. If a staff member identifies a safeguarding concern, to report it they should: a.Report it via the reporting form at Aquaforge.co.uk/reporting This mechanism for reporting is also available to any and all of Aquaforge Limited’s customers, and the wider public. If a staff member feels unable to follow the above process, they should report their safeguarding concern in a reasonable alternative manner. This may be the case if, for example: a.Following the above process would require disclosing the concern to somebody implicated in the safeguarding concern or who the staff member is otherwise uncomfortable contacting about this concern, or b.The matter is time sensitive and involves a risk of serious harm to somebody, in which case contacting an external agency first may be more appropriate. Procedures: Investigation and response Reported safeguarding concerns will be dealt with promptly by appropriate individuals within Aquaforge Limited, in accordance with our safeguarding response and safeguarding laws. Persons who report a safeguarding concern will be kept informed about the progression of the matter they reported to an appropriate degree. Note that, depending on the nature of the concern and consequent investigations, some information about matters may be kept confidential and not shared with the reporter. If a staff member is found to be in breach of this safeguarding policy or safeguarding law in general, they will only be dismissed if appropriate to the circumstances and in accordance with employment law. Referrals or notifications to external organisations will be made when, and only when, this is appropriate and will always be made in accordance with the law.