Introduction

Elite Netball Ltd is dedicated to making netball a safe and fun place for everyone. The welfare of Children and Young People is paramount. This policy is for all staff, volunteers, coaches. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

The purpose of this policy:

  • To protect children and young people who attend any Elite Netball Ltd setting
  • To provide staff and volunteers with principles that guide our approach to child protection

We recognise that:

  • The welfare of the child/young person is paramount
  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to be protected from all types of harm or abuse
  • Working with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • We do not tolerate abuse or poor practice
  • We listen to children
  • We take concerns seriously
  • We treat everyone with respect regardless of age, sex, gender, race, disability, sexuality or sexual orientation, religion
  • We have processes for investigating concerns and managing risks
  • We have a lead safeguarding officer
  • We recruit staff and volunteers safely
  • We record and report concerns promptly and treat them confidentially (except when necessary to share in order to protect children and promote their welfare)
  • We share information about safeguarding with players and parents/carers
  • We create and maintain a caring culture in our organisation and our clubs where people are free to speak out

NSPCC 0808 800 5000 – www.nspcc.org.uk If you are worried or unsure about a child. NSPCC also offer free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry (18 or under)

Childline 0800 1111 – www.childline.org.uk Website offers Coping Kit Toolkits. Childline offers 1-2-1 counselling chats about any concerns you may have.

Child Protection Policy

Our child protection policy follows that of the England Netball safeguarding children and young people policy in Netball. If any member of staff becomes concerned about the health and wellbeing of any child with us, the following protocol will be adhered to:

  1. Professional has concerns – If a professional has a concern about the wellbeing of a child, then follow the general procedures provided
  2. Consultation with Head Coach – Professional discusses concerns with Head Coach, who then contacts the Designated Safeguarding Lead to decide next steps
  3. Discussion with Parents – Professional discuss concerns with parents/carers of the child and explains what steps they will take next ( if this does not put the child at further risk)
  4. Seek further advice– Professional seeks further advice from local authorities

Whistleblowing

If a member of staff receives an allegation or has a concern about the behaviour of a member of staff working or volunteering with children and that concern could amount to:

a) a member of staff or volunteer has behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child, or

b) possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child, or

c) behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children

Then that member of staff will:

  1. Report their concerns – Report the concern to the most senior person not implicated in the allegation
  2. Completion of written record – Complete a written record of the nature and circumstances surrounding the concern, including any previous concerns held. Include where the concern came from and brief details only
  3. Seek advice before proceeding – Always contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice prior to investigating the allegation. This is because it might meet the criminal threshold and so your investigation could interfere with a Police or Social Care investigation
  4. Allegations management process – If, after your initial discussion with the LADO, it is agreed that the allegation meets the criteria, a multi-agency meeting will be convened and you will be invited. This might result in a criminal investigation, a Social Care investigation and/or an investigation to inform whether disciplinary action is required. If it is agreed that the allegation does not meet the criteria, the LADO will record the initial discussion and send it to you for your records. Any further action will be taken within your setting if necessary

Any allegations made will be dealt with immediately by the senior management team of Elite Netball Academy.

Photo Consent

Elite Netball Ltd will periodically have live photoshoots during sessions and may use the images/video recorded for our website, email campaigns and our social media channels, which can be found at: Facebook – @elitenetballacademy, Instagram – @elitenetballacademy TikTok @elitenetballacademy_ and X – @netball-elite

Please contact us at info@elitenetballacademy.co.uk if you would like to opt-out of the publication of images. Please notify us as quickly as possible, by email, otherwise, it will be deemed that you have granted permission for the images to be used.

For further information on the Elite Netball Ltd’s stand on use of positive social media please visit our terms and conditions.

Safer Recruitment

When it comes to the recruitment of staff and helping us to ensure that all children and young people in our care have an enjoyable and safe time at Elite Netball Ltd, we adhere to the following:

  • Head Coaches (Level 2 qualified) must have an enhanced DBS
  • The DBS must be renewed every 3 years
  • A minimum of 2 references are obtained for all potential members of staff, ensuring they are up to date
  • All potential employees are checked to see if they have the right to work in the UK
  • Further checks are carried out on people who have worked, or are working abroad
  • All qualifications are checked and verified

DBS Policy

Elite Netball Ltd operate the following policy in relation to DBS checks:

  • Elite Netball Ltd is committed to ensuring all young people can take part in our sport in a safe and enjoyable environment. The requirement to have a satisfactory DBS Enhanced with Barred List check carried out before an individual takes up a role with young people and renewed every 3 years, is a crucial part of us living up to that commitment. It enables proper risk assessments to be carried out.
  • Any individual intending to work in a role which involves work with children or adults at risk but is not defined as Regulated Activity will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check before commencement of employment or engagement and at least every 3 years during their employment or engagement. Elite Netball Ltd will regularly monitor the specific nature of roles and whether they are defined as Regulated Activity. All conditional offers of employment or engagement are subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS check completed through the relevant sport’s bodies, and an Overseas Criminal Record check if appropriate.
  • Staff who begin performing additional duties or a different role that moves them into Regulated Activity will be asked to complete a new Enhanced DBS and Barred List check.
  • All agency workers and contractors used by Elite Netball Ltd are required to comply with the Enhanced DBS and Barred List Check requirements at all times as outlined in this Policy.

Anti-bullying

Elite Netball Ltd operates a zero-tolerance policy to discrimination or bullying of any kind. We hold the right to remove any players from our programmes if they are found to be in breach of our Anti-bullying policy.

At Elite Netball Ltd, bullying and other forms of unacceptable intimidation, including bullying due to sexual orientation or transgender issues, cyber bullying by internet or mobile phone, will not be tolerated.

All will treat others with kindness and respect and all will care well for each other. All will come to Elite Netball without fear and they will be happy and safe.

Everyone will be vigilant and they will act promptly to intervene if there are any signs or reports of bullying of any kind.

Health and Safety

Each Elite Netball setting will have at least one qualified first aid trained member of staff on-site along with a full risk assessment being carried out before any activity takes place at a venue.

Head coaches are required to report all injuries or accidents and ensure that signed records are sent to senior management to maintain a clear and formal system for tracking and addressing any issues that arise.

Equality of Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Elite Netball Ltd will welcome all people, children and coaches alike, and will not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, sexuality, class, family status, means, disability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion or beliefs.

We are committed to ensuring that our service is fully inclusive in meeting the needs of everyone, in respect to and compliant with The Equality Act 2010. Elite Netball Ltd respects and upholds the fundamental British Values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.

We will encourage our team to never make assumptions about other people on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, gender, ability or lifestyle.

We will teach respect for others and provide accurate information and positive images of different cultures and lifestyles.