Keeping your Child Safe

Home > Keeping your Child Safe

Keeping your Child Safe

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Last Update Date: 01/06/2026

Adopted by UK Sports Nut Ltd (known as Sports Nut for this purposes of this document)

Next Review Date: 01/06/2027

Safeguarding Policy

Sports Nut believes that a child’s welfare is everyone’s responsibility and looking after children is an obligation we take very seriously.

We also recognise this obligation regarding vulnerable adults in the community. Sports Nut’s procedures stem from the principle that the individual’s welfare is the first consideration and that all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, or any disability they might have, have the right to be protected. Sports Nut will support anyone who in good faith reports any concerns that a child or vulnerable adult is either at risk or being abused. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or by neglect, and can be from an action or an inaction. Sports Nut acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Swim England Wavepower Child Protection Policy, as well as The British Triathlon Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, all children:

have a positive and enjoyable experience at Sports Nut, in a safe and child centred environment
are protected from abuse whilst participating in lessons provided by Sports Nut or outside of the activity

Sports Nut acknowledges that children can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

As part of our safeguarding policy Sports Nut will:

promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
ensure all adults working with children for Sports Nut hold a valid Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List before beginning work with children. DBS certificates have no statutory expiry date — they are a snapshot of an individual’s record on the date of issue. Sports Nut does not operate a fixed renewal cycle for DBS certificates. Instead, all staff have a strict and ongoing duty to disclose any changes to their DBS status or personal circumstances throughout the entire duration of their engagement with Sports Nut, including any new convictions, cautions, police investigations or barring decisions
ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people, refreshed at least every three years
ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual(s) who raise or disclose the concern
ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals by completing all suitable checks prior to the start of employment/deployment of all individuals
ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation
give particular consideration to the safeguarding of any young worker assistants (aged 15 to under 18) employed by Sports Nut, who are never left unsupervised with pupils and are never counted as part of the instructor-to-pupil ratio
if an allegation is made against a member of staff or delivery team, effective support will be provided until a full investigation has taken place

As part of our safeguarding policy Sports Nut expects its employees to:

Collect all children from poolside or meet-up area, complete the register via the tablet provided. This ensures that all children are present and correct at the start of each lesson and that there is a comprehensive head count of all participating children should an emergency arise.
Follow appropriate procedures in the event of lateness or absence of a participant.
Work in an open environment where easily visible to others.
Ensure that if a child needs to leave poolside during their lesson, then their parent is aware and the parent can supervise them if they so wish.
At the end of the lesson take all children back to poolside or pick-up area to be handed over to the correct parent/carer.
When speaking with parents ensure that it is the correct parent and that no information regarding other children is discussed. No other children should be named when speaking to parents.
Ensure that all information received whilst teaching for Sports Nut must be treated as confidential and not shared with other teachers, third parties or anyone else other than their line manager.
Where possible deliver hands-off teaching, especially whilst teaching in the pool. It is best practice and will keep individuals safe from accusations unless to prevent danger to themselves or others.
Ensure that should a child need to receive medical attention, this must always be carried out by a responsible First Aider with another adult (preferably parent/carer) present. Any medical treatment must be recorded in the medical incident report file.
Avoid unaccompanied time with children or vulnerable adults.
Adhere to the Swim England Wavepower safeguarding children document.

Changing areas:

Staff may enter changing areas to check on pupil welfare, manage behaviour or encourage pupils to get changed promptly. Before entering, staff must knock and announce themselves clearly. Staff must not spend longer in the changing area than is necessary, and must never be alone with a single child — if this situation arises, staff must leave immediately and report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Any concern arising from a visit to a changing area is reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. Changing areas are checked before and after each session.

Dealing with allegations against the Sports Nut team:

The procedure for dealing with allegations made against staff will be used where the individual has:

Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she would pose a risk of harm if he or she works regularly or closely with children

If there is an accusation against a member of the delivery team they would be removed from delivery while a full investigation is completed.

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Sports Nut. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

The policy will be reviewed annually, or in the following circumstances:

changes in legislation and/or government guidance, as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, UK Sport and/or Home Country Sports Councils, monitored by the Safeguarding Lead with automatic alerts established to ensure this is monitored
as a result of any other significant change or event

Missing Child Procedure

In the rare event that a child is reported missing during a session, Sports Nut staff follow this procedure:

Remaining pupils are kept appropriately supervised throughout.
The child’s parents or carers are located and informed, or a member of staff is nominated to do so.
The Swim School Manager and a director are alerted immediately.
All available responsible adults are organised to search designated areas.
Changing rooms, toilets, showers, public and private areas and the venue grounds are searched.
All searchers report back to a nominated adult at a specific point.
The circumstances are recorded and a detailed description prepared (age, sex, height, hair colour, eye colour, clothing).
If the search is unsuccessful, the police are called no later than 30 minutes after the disappearance is noted.
Police guidance is followed and close contact is maintained until the matter is resolved.
Everyone involved is informed once the child is located.

Safeguarding & Protecting Children & Young People

Support Organisations

Childline 0800 1111
NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
Police 999
Swim Line 0808 100 4001

Responding to Signs or Suspicions of Abuse

Commitment to working with parents and carers is important when having concerns about a young person’s wellbeing. Therefore, in most situations, it would be important to talk to parents or carers to help clarify any initial concerns. For example, if a person seems withdrawn, there may be a reasonable explanation. He/she may have experienced an upset in the family such as parental separation or divorce or bereavement.

There are circumstances in which a young person might be placed at even greater risk if such concerns were shared (e.g. where a parent or carer may be responsible for the abuse or not able to respond to the situation appropriately). In these situations, or where concerns still exist, any suspicion, allegation or incident of abuse must be reported to the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible and recorded. Parents should not be contacted if the concern is about sexual abuse. This will be done by social care and/or the police at the appropriate time.

Useful Websites

swimming.org
nspcc.org.uk
thecpsu.org.uk

If there is an emergency ALWAYS dial 999.

Recording and Reporting Allegations

If a child or young person says or indicates that he or she is being abused, or information is obtained which gives concern that a child or a young person is being abused, you should respond immediately and take the allegation seriously.

The Safeguarding Lead may be informed of situations where there is uncertainty about whether or not the allegation constitutes abuse or not and therefore are unclear about what action to take. There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice rather than abuse but those responsible should always consult the Safeguarding Lead or gain advice from social care, the police or the NSPCC if there is any doubt. Sometimes it may be one of a series of incidents which when added together cause concern.

The following steps must be taken:

Make a full record of what has been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible, information should include the following:

Name of child/young person at risk
Age of child/young person at risk and date of birth
Home address and telephone number
Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns or those of someone else? In the latter case, also include the other person’s details
What is the nature of the allegation? Include dates, times and special factors and other relevant information
Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay
A description of any visible bruising or other injuries
Witnesses to the incidents
The child/young person at risk account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or injuries have occurred
Have the parents/carers been contacted? If so, what has been said?
Has anyone else been consulted? If so record details
If it is not the child/young person at risk making the report, has the child/young person concerned been spoken to? If so what was said?
Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record details

Speaking to the Child:

In speaking to children regarding suspected or alleged abuse, ensure you do the following:

Do:

allow the child time to speak
react calmly so as not to frighten the child
reassure the child and ensure that the allegations will be taken seriously
take what the child says seriously, recognising the difficulties inherent in interpreting what is said by a child who has a speech impairment and/or differences in language
keep questions to the absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said
reassure the child but do not make promises of confidentiality which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments

Do not:

show any feelings of anger, disgust, and disbelief to the child as they may stop talking for fear of upsetting the person further or feel that the negative feelings are being directed towards them
interrupt or make suggestions to the child
ask probing or leading questions
speculate or make assumptions
make negative comments about the alleged abuser
approach the alleged abuser
make promises to keep secrets

Inform the Safeguarding Lead:

Once the Safeguarding Lead has been informed, it is their responsibility to refer to the social care department by telephone and confirm it in writing within one day. The Safeguarding Lead is to report allegations and/or suspicions of abuse to social care; and if there are issues of poor practice this must be reported to the appropriate organisation or governing body.

Reporting the matter to the police or social care department should not be delayed by attempts to obtain more information. Wherever possible, referrals telephoned to the social care department should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours by the Safeguarding Lead. A record should also be made of the name and designation of the social care member of staff or the police officer to whom the concerns were passed, together with the time and date of the call, in case any follow-up is needed. A copy of this information may be sent to the NGB and Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as appropriate.

If there is an emergency ALWAYS dial 999.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mark Tennant — safeguarding@sports-nut.co.uk | Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: David Small — david@sports-nut.co.uk |

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key issue in safeguarding work. Whilst information should not be shared freely, it must be shared with appropriate agencies to ensure that a child is not left unprotected. Decisions on who needs to be informed should be taken by the Safeguarding Lead after discussion with social care.

Remember that data protection law is not a barrier to sharing information where there is a genuine safeguarding concern
Be open and honest
Seek advice
Share with consent where appropriate
Consider safety and well-being necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure
Keep a record

Sharing Information

Sharing of information between practitioners and organisations is essential for effective identification, assessment, risk management and service provision. Fears about sharing information cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
Personal information held by Sports Nut is subject to a legal duty of confidentiality and will not normally be disclosed without the consent of the individual. However, the right to confidentiality and respect for private and family life is not absolute.
Sports Nut recognises that information sharing between key organisations is essential to safeguard children at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. A key factor in many serious case reviews has been a failure to record information, to share it, to understand the significance of the information shared, and to take appropriate action in relation to known or suspected abuse or neglect.
Sports Nut will ensure that confidential information is only shared where it is lawful and ethical to do so.

Training

Sports Nut identifies that training and raising awareness of safeguarding issues, policies and procedures is fundamental to the development and maintenance of a safe environment and safer organisation.
Sports Nut will also ensure that all teachers/coaches are trained to the appropriate standards in safeguarding to maintain and promote safer staff, safer culture and a safer organisation.
Teachers and coaches will receive training in safeguarding to a level which is commensurate to the level of responsibility of the role that is being performed.
The Safeguarding Lead will attend Designated Safeguarding Lead training and will attend regular updates as recommended, refreshing this training at least every two years.
Safeguarding training will not be regarded as a ‘once only’ activity, but as on-going development of skills and knowledge of safeguarding. Safeguarding refresher training events will be provided at least every three years for all staff, and in response to staff turnover, as part of the planned team skills development programme.

Photography and Videography

Mobile phones and any electronic or photography equipment are not permitted to be used in changing rooms or in the viewing area while children are swimming. If anyone is seen taking unauthorised images or videos, staff will ask for them to be deleted immediately. For full details, see our Photography and Videography Policy.

Code of conduct

We expect a lot from our employees. Our good name and our success have been achieved by ensuring that all those working with us uphold our standards and high level of customer service. Sports Nut expects employees to behave appropriately, courteously, professionally and responsibly within the following guidelines:

Ensure that the interests of children, parents and clients remain paramount at all times
Go beyond the call of duty for our children, parents and clients
Observe all legal and ethical requirements applicable to the business
Keep confidential all information gained during the course of employment about Sports Nut or that of customers and other stakeholders

Code of Ethics for Sports Nut

The Sports Nut Code of Ethics establishes and maintains the standards we expect for our team. Staff are accountable for their actions and must keep appropriate records.

The Code of Ethics is written to establish and maintain standards within Sports Nut such as Integrity, Responsibility, Competence and Confidentiality. This Code of Ethics is applicable to all people working for Sports Nut.

All staff will:

respect everyone who works within the Sports Nut team
treat all participants equally within the context of the activity regardless of gender, ethnic origin, sexuality, religion, disability or political persuasion
be primarily concerned with the health and wellbeing of the participants and only secondary with the optimisation of their performance
encourage and develop independence in the individuals to take responsibility of their own actions
set and maintain clear boundaries between the participant/staff relationship. Never leave yourself in a situation where you are alone with a child and/or in a situation that could be misinterpreted, not only by the participant, but by outsiders motivated by jealousy, dislike or mistrust, and could lead to allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety

Commitment

Each member of staff will commit to their roles and responsibilities and endeavour to support children and their families throughout their Sports Nut journey.

Confidentiality

The Sports Nut team inevitably gather a great deal of personal information about participants and their families in the course of a working relationship. During the term of their engagement with Sports Nut, and after it ends, staff must not disclose any personal information concerning a participant or their family without proper authority, except where required for safeguarding purposes as set out above. For more details on how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.