Safeguarding Policy

Knuckle Down Safeguarding Policy

Approved by the Board of Directors – [date]. Review scheduled [date + 12 months].

1. Policy Statement

Knuckle Down is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person who takes part in our coaching programmes. We recognise our duty of care to provide a safe environment where every young person is respected and protected from abuse, neglect and harm.

We are guided by the following legislation and statutory guidance:

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated 2023) — gov.uk
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023) — gov.uk
The Children Acts 1989 and 2004
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)

2. Purpose and Scope

This policy sets out Knuckle Down's roles and procedures for safeguarding children and young people. It applies to all directors, coaches, sessional staff, volunteers and external contractors delivering Knuckle Down programmes.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

DSL Name: [Name]
Deputy DSL: [Name]
Contact: [Phone] / [Email]

The DSL manages all safeguarding and child protection matters, staff training, and liaison with each partner school's own DSL and, where needed, statutory agencies.

4. Safer Recruitment

Enhanced DBS checks for every coach and volunteer.
Verification of identity, qualifications and employment history.
Mandatory safeguarding declarations.
Safeguarding statements included in all recruitment advertising.
At least two references obtained, one from a current or most recent employer.

5. Induction and Training

Every coach receives a safeguarding induction before their first session.
Compulsory annual safeguarding and Prevent Duty training.
All coaches and staff receive a copy of this policy and confirm they've read it.

6. Code of Behaviour

Coaches and staff must:

Always maintain professional boundaries.
Treat every young person with dignity and respect.
Avoid one-to-one or unsupervised situations with a young person, out of sight of others.
Never use physical punishment or inappropriate communication.
Pass on any concern or disclosure immediately, without investigating it themselves.

7. Online Use and E-Safety

Any communication with a school or parent/carer goes through official, school-approved channels — never a coach's personal phone, email or social media.
Coaches do not share personal contact details or social media accounts with young people.
Where a Knuckle Down programme involves any online element, parents/carers are informed in advance.

8. Recognising Signs of Abuse

Abuse can be:

Physical — bruising, unexplained injuries.
Emotional — withdrawal, extreme changes in behaviour.
Sexual — inappropriate knowledge for their age, or fear of a particular person.
Neglect — hunger, poor hygiene, missed appointments.

Coaches should also stay alert to bullying and cyberbullying, peer-on-peer abuse, exploitation (including CSE and county lines), radicalisation, and the particular vulnerability of young people with SEND.

9. Reporting Procedures and Timelines

Any concern or disclosure is reported to the DSL immediately — within 1 hour.
A written safeguarding concern form is completed on the same day.
The DSL assesses the concern and makes a referral to children's social care within 24 hours if necessary, working alongside the host school's own DSL.
Where a young person is at immediate risk, call 999 without delay.
All concerns are recorded confidentially and securely.

10. Handling Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation is reported to the DSL as early as possible.
The DSL refers to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 1 working day.
The coach concerned may be stepped back from sessions pending investigation.
No internal investigation takes place before LADO consultation.

11. Prevent Duty

Knuckle Down is committed to the Prevent Duty and will train coaches to recognise signs of radicalisation, refer concerns to the local Prevent team, and promote the values of democracy, tolerance and individual liberty within our sessions.

12. Safeguarding and SEND

Young people with SEND can be more vulnerable to abuse and may have communication difficulties. Coaches are made aware of individual needs shared by the school, and any existing EHCP or additional safeguarding plan is respected and followed during Knuckle Down sessions.

13. Helpful Links and Resources

Working Together to Safeguard Children — gov.uk
Keeping Children Safe in Education — gov.uk
NSPCC — nspcc.org.uk
Childline — childline.org.uk | 0800 1111
Prevent Duty Guidance — gov.uk
Ann Craft Trust (Safeguarding Adults in Sport) — anncrafttrust.org

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors:
Name: [Chair]
Signature: [Signature]
Date: [Date]