The Black Prince Trust (BPT) believes that all Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk are entitled to protection from harm and have the right to take part in sport and leisure activities in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment.

We recognise our Duty of Care responsibilities regarding the Safeguarding and welfare of all children, young people, vulnerable adults and adults at risk, and we are committed to implementing a good Safeguarding Practice to protect them.

BPT is committed to working in partnership with organisations, clubs and groups that provide physical and recreational activities, to promote and deliver the best possible Safeguarding Practice when working with children, young people, vulnerable adults and adults at risk.

This policy provides guidance for all BPT Staff, Volunteers, Trustees and Delivery Partners who deliver activity onsite at BPT, who may come across concerns regarding the Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk within the context of their work.

BPT Community Hub is an open access community facility open to everyone in our local community, 9am-10pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on weekends.

We run the site in this way to ensure that it is openly accessible and welcoming to everyone, especially those who might feel marginalised or unwelcome in more traditional sporting environments.

We actively recognise that we accommodate all Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults including those at risk and as a staff team share in a deep vigilance to protect everyone we come into contact with.

BPT are the charity that manage the Hub. We run the community hub based on the following values:

1. Community Driven
   Community is at the heart of all we do, and we strive to make a difference every day.
2. Integrity
   We will always be here for the community as a reliable pillar of support, fostering positive health, wellbeing and personal development.
3. Compassionate
   We actively listen to our community, never judge and demonstrate consideration for diverse needs in the way that we work.
4. Inclusive
   We have an open-door policy to make everyone feel welcome, seen, heard and valued in a safe and enjoyable environment.
5. Collaborative
   Unite, empower, and thrive: Together with partners and community members we create high quality, inclusive opportunities for all..

While most of our users come from the immediate community some travel from further afield.

We welcome and work with people of all ages from all Ethnic, Cultural and Faith beliefs and SEND needs.

In this Safeguarding Policy we reference all safety related matters and matters specific to Safeguarding. Full detail can be found in accompanying procedures on what we do on specific Safeguarding procedures.

BPT Board of Trustees are accountable for promoting an open and positive culture where all involved feel able to report concerns and can trust that they will be listened to fairly and responded to accordingly. All Trustees are well informed about Safeguarding and can support each other in a meaningful way. They have an overview of direct employees and delivery partners.

The BPT Board is responsible for ensuring that BPT:

• Follows Safeguarding statutory guidance, good practice guidance and legislation.
• Have appropriate policies and procedures in place.
• Have suitable people for relevant roles.
• Are collectively alert to identify and handle concerns in a full and open manner as appropriate.
• Have a clear system of referring or reporting to both universal services and specialist Safeguarding partners as concerns are suspected or identified.
• Does not ignore harm or downplay failures.
• Makes sure protecting people from harm is central to its culture.
• Has enough resources, including trained staff/volunteers/trustees for Safeguarding and protecting people.
• Conducts at least an annual review of Safeguarding policies, procedures and practice.

BPT are informed by the guidance offered by the Safer Recruitment and Selection Consortium. This includes ensuring a member of all interview panels has attended the Safer Recruitment and Selection Consortium informed in person training.

BPT are explicit about Safeguarding when advertising posts, in application packs and at interview around our expectations of staff to protect children and adults at risk, and we make it clear that this is ingrained within the fabric of the way we work. This includes expectations around conduct for people working with children and vulnerable adults.

BPT uses Safer Recruitment set out in our Safer Recruitment Policy to recruit all staff and volunteers.

All employment with BPT is subject to a thorough selection process, evidence of identification, qualifications and training, confirmation on positive outcomes of enhanced DBS check, and at least two references.

An enhanced DBS check is required for any role – paid or voluntary -which involves supervision of children, coaching children, or working with children or adults at risk.

BPT’s approach to staff development and training in relation to Safeguarding is set out in the Learning Strategy below. This strategy outlines mandatory training.

This strategy outlines mandatory learning for all our direct staff, volunteers and delivery partners.  This relates to the Safeguarding duties towards Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk.

• It is expected that all new employees will complete the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Training Module or NGB equivalent within 3 weeks of employment.
• All Volunteers will receive a formal induction which includes an exploration of their motivation to volunteer.
• Within 6 months new employees will attend formal face-to-face Safeguarding Training at a Minimum Level 2 standard.
• BPT will ensure that all staff have a follow-up meeting with a member of our Designated Safeguarding Team to check their understanding of both pieces of training and how it should be applied in the workplace.
• Members of the Designated Safeguarding Team attend level 3 (groups 4/5) induction training and then refresher training at least every 2 years.

BPT work with a range of delivery partners and onsite daily to deliver sessions to both children and vulnerable adults including adults at risk. BPT take the following measures to ensure that all delivery partners are compliant with this Safeguarding Policy

• Partners must sign that they have read BPT’s Safeguarding policy and procedure and follow this or supply BPT with their own Safeguarding policy and accompanying procedures.
• Partners must supply BPT with a copy of their Session Risk Assessment, Public Liability Insurance, Coaching Certifications and DBS numbers of all staff who deliver onsite
• BPT DSL lead will ensure that all documentation is checked, up to date and will record when reminders of new documentation is required.
• These documents are required as part of a signed yearly Partner Agreement.
• Partners must notify BPT of any updates and changes to any of the above documentation and inform us of any staffing changes.
• Partners should notify BPT DSL team member of any Safeguarding concerns and or incidents on the premises including the way these have responded to within 48 hours of this occurring.
• Any allegations about the conduct or behaviour of a partner’s staff member or volunteer must be reported to BPT DSL team within 24 hours.

BPT is a popular venue for filming and event bookings, that will often involve CYP and Vulnerable Adults from our community. Any bookings of this type will require the following:

• Event Plan
• Copy of their Safeguarding Policy
• Event Risk Assessment
• Parental Consent Forms if appropriate
• Public Liability Insurance
• Notification of all members of staff who will be onsite, DBS numbers
• Signature of agreement that our Safeguarding Policy has been read

BPT own our responsibility to lead and manage sessions for everyone in such a way that is sensitive to individual Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk needs. We notice and track changes in behaviour which may indicate SEND needs, trauma and or distress.

BPT pride ourselves on building rapport with Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk, through which we can make sensitive enquiry into any Safeguarding concerns including on a basic wellbeing level, this is the area in which we see our active strength as a Charity in:

• Helping to promote individual confidence and self esteem
• Providing a safe, relaxed and nurturing environment
• Providing a network of easy to approach, trusted adults

Integrated into BPT’s work there is a sophisticated understanding of a range of behaviours including those that sit outside of ‘the usual’ i.e. indicating that someone is being harmed or neglected or is drawing attention through their distress or upset.

BPT utilise a dynamic approach to Risk Assessment and Risk Management which includes all of these interrelated dimensions in action.

The lead coach for each session is ultimately responsible for the delivery and maintenance of the session, including the wellbeing of all its participants. They have the absolute responsibility to both understand and plan for individual and group behaviours, see the signals of those behaviours becoming challenging and have the skills to de-escalate. Concerns around these kinds of situations should be brought to the attention of the DSL team to discuss how to proceed in terms of both supporting the child or young person, vulnerable adult or adult at risk in manging their behaviours and maintaining a safe environment for others.

BPT are explicit about our Safeguarding Duties and we make this clear both on our website and in dedicated noticeboards around our site, this includes identification of the DSL team.

In the management of the site, BPT maintains a vigilance at all times. All staff, volunteers and delivery partners actively share in this responsibility.

BPT discourages the use of mobile phones for filming and photography by site users during active sessions. Any filming for publicity purposes by BPT or its partners will be undertaken with active consent; and we encourage everyone to express their views about being filmed, especially if they have concerns.

Changing Facilities

BPT has two changing facilities – one female and one male – for use by adults, children and young people. This is on a communal basis i.e. there are no individual cubicles. These facilities are openly accessible as part of our community remit to create an inclusive and welcoming hub accessible for all.

BPT does not have sufficient staff resources to supervise these facilities.

BPT ask partners and parents where possible to ensure children have already changed in time for activities. Where children need to use changing facilities, that are unsupervised, we encourage children to go in pairs of the same gender, and to inform session coaches and/or BPT staff when they go to use changing facilities and when they have departed these facilities, if they are not returning to the session.

Coaches having to depart the site while children are still using changing facilities should inform BPT staff, so they are aware that unsupervised children remain on site in the changing rooms. Between Coaches and BPT staff we aim to know children’s whereabouts at all times.

We are mindful of operating a safe and secure environment. While we are open access, all staff and partners based on the site are alert to adults and behaviours that appear unusual they are prepared to check in with people with regards to their purpose for being on site.

Coloured lanyards identify trusted adults that children, young people and vulnerable adults can feel safe in approaching for help and support. All BPT staff understand the colour coding which denotes adults who are DBS-checked and those who are not.

We have a presence of trained first aiders on the premises who primarily provide a specialist level of support and care when required. As per the statutory guidance their certification is updated every 3 years. We are alert to children and adults at risk who persistently present themselves for this level of care as potentially seeking opportunities to talk privately with a trusted adult and possibly disclose harm.

BPT keeps clear and secure records about everyone receiving first aid attention which is cross-referenced with our Safeguarding concerns log. BPT have clear fire evacuation procedure including trained fire marshals who supervise this. BPT runs regular drills to familiarise everyone with this process.

BPT has a Designated Safeguarding Team. This team responds to Safeguarding concerns brough to them by staff, volunteers and partners. This includes their duty to refer to Safeguarding specific partners, including MASH, Adult Social Care and the Police. The detail is specifically addressed in the Child Protection and Adult at Risk Procedures.

07939 835 329 or 0207 840 2904
kaity@blackprincetrust.org.uk

07984 264 494 or 0207 840 2904
alex@blackprincetrust.org.uk

07435 984 159 or 0207 840 2904
richard@blackprincetrust.org.uk

The DSL team can also be reached via safeguarding@blackprincetrust.org.uk

The key responsibilities for the Designated Safeguarding Lead are to:

• Ensure Safeguarding children and adults at risk is integrated into all key activities within the Hub.
• Maintain an involving strategy for staff team training, professional development and support.
• Act as the key point of contact within the team for all sport and physical activity Safeguarding concerns regarding children, young people, vulnerable adults and adults at risk.
• Be the key point of contact for liaising with both universal services and Safeguarding specific partners, in the following circumstances.

1. 1. Providing a primary level of support and early help to Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk
   2. Sharing information with universal services, i.e. children’s schools or colleges or vulnerable adults’ families (with full parental/ family knowledge and agreement).
   3. Making referrals to Safeguarding specific services, MASH, Adult Social Care and the Police in the cases of serious concerns

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

BPT recognises the duty to share Safeguarding information whilst also recognising the sensitivity of these matters and the duty to maintain confidentiality.

DSL team understand that the GDPR guidance does not prevent the sharing of information when safeguarding children, young people, vulnerable adults and adults at risk.

Child protection information will be stored and managed according to the Information Sharing Guidance, 2018 and in particular the Seven Golden Rules. These principles underpin all dimensions of Safeguarding practice for BPT:

• Remember that GDPR is not a barrier to information sharing.
• Be open and honest with Children, Young People, Vulnerable Adults and Adults at Risk(and their parents/carers) about why, what and with whom information will be shared.
• If unsure about sharing information or not, seek advice from BPT DSL team, MASH or Adult Social Care.
• Where possible share information with full consent (from parent in relation to a child or young person or carer or partner or family member in relation to adults at risk).
• Ensure focused on safety and wellbeing. Base decisions on both the child, young person or group of young persons or adult at risk concerned including those who might be affected i.e. wider family in the situation of domestic abuse or group of young people in the case of community exploitation.
• Necessary, proportionate, relevant, adequate, timey, and secure i.e. necessary for the purpose sharing it. Only shared with those necessary, accurate up to date, shared in a timely way and securely.
• Record what has been shared and with whom including what informed this decision.

All BPT documentation including Concern Forms, Incident Form and Record of Meeting are stored securely. All electronic information is password protected and only available to relevant individuals.

This Safeguarding policy is accompanied by three Safeguarding specific procedures these include:

• Child Protection Procedure
• Adults at Risk Procedure
• Allegations Against Professionals Who Abuse Their Position of Trust Procedure

These procedures guide what we do in each of these circumstances.

BPT have high expectations in the ways that our staff and partners conduct themselves in work, outside work and online. BPT has a Professional Code of Conduct and Behaviour which reflects many aspects of the safer recruitment and selection of staff guidance and selection, much of which is relevant to BPT. BPT Code of Conduct was written in full collaboration with the staff team thus promoting ownership.

BPT Professional Code of Conduct and Behaviour specifies a duty to Whistleblow in the circumstance where any staff member, volunteer, delivery partner, DSL team or Trustee is conducting themselves outside of our agreed approach. This includes conduct and behaviour onsite, offsite, in their personal life and/or online. Nobody will be subject to any judgment or prejudice when bringing a whistleblowing concern to the DSL team or the Board of Trustees.

BPT has a detailed and clear procedure which is consistent with the London Child Protection Procedures. It outlines both BPT duties in management and support of their staff members as well as to cooperate fully with any child protection investigation. This procedure interfaces closely with the BPT staff employment, staff handbook, and specifically disciplinary processes.

BPT keep up to date with National, Local and Site-Based trends and developments around Safeguarding.

BPT aim to reflect on our own professional learning and actively seek to enhance and grow our organisation’s Safeguarding Policy and accompanying Procedures.

BPT will review and update our Safeguarding Policy and accompanying Procedures at least annually, incorporating changes as appropriate

Signed off by the Board of Trustees on: 28/06/2024

To be Next Reviewed by June 29^th 2025