We recognise we have a responsibility to fulfil, as far as reasonably possible, the expectations of the Charity Commission mandate December 2017 to ‘provide a safe and trusted environment which safeguards anyone who comes into contact with [the charity], including beneficiaries, staff and volunteers.’ This means we must do everything that can be reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect people from harm, and to act when we suspect that someone is being harmed or is at risk of harm.

The purpose of this document is to demonstrate the commitment of Christians in Sport to safeguarding adults (anyone aged 18 years and over) and to ensure that all staff and relevant volunteers who work with adults are aware of:

• The legislation, policy and procedures for safeguarding adults
• Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults
• What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult involved within the work of Christians in Sport

Our approach will cover the spectrum of care from pastoral support through to legal safeguarding obligations (see Appendix1). This is set against a backdrop of Biblical principles (see Appendix 2).

Scope

Christians in Sport works with adults in all aspects of our ministry. We relate to them as:

• Leaders (e.g. Sports Plus leaders, University group leader)
• Partners (e.g. prayer, financial)
• Volunteers (e.g. Network Leadership Teams)
• Beneficiaries (e.g. Elite athletes, YPAs, international partnerships, university group members)
• Staff and interns*

Our responsibility is for those engaged in our ministry. For the majority, the need for us to support them with an adult safeguarding concern meeting the statutory threshold requirements will be rare (see Appendix 1, Spectrum of Safeguarding diagram). However, we recognise that the unique environment within which a number operate could deem that individual to be vulnerable. We therefore have a responsibility to create a safe and healthy environment for all adults and help individuals recognise when and how to report a safeguarding concern and when to offer pastoral (prayer, practical support) input only. Whilst most adults we work with will need meet this threshold, we recognise an adult at risk as defined by the Care Act 2014:

• has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs)
• is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
• as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

*The safeguarding of staff is covered by employment law.

We have separate guidance outlining the safeguarding of young people and adults because of differences in the:

• issues young people and adults face.
• definitions and terms used.
• procedures for reporting abuse and handling cases.
• legislation and policy.

Commitments and responsibilities

We are committed to:

• Implementing the requirements of legislation in regard to adults in need of protection
• Keeping up to date with binding national and local developments relating to safeguarding
• Learning from statutory and voluntary agencies involved with safeguarding

We recognise:

• Adult Social Services (or equivalent) has responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult at risk*
• where a crime has been committed or threatened then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
• where working outside of the UK, concerns will be reported to the Christians in Sport Designated Safeguarding Lead and leaders will abide by the relevant country Risk Assessment.
• safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Christians in Sport is a religious organisation within the meaning of Schedule 23 of the Equality Act 2010 and Section 13 of the Human Rights Act 1998. We are committed to the safeguarding of those in receipt of our ministry and ensuring their well-being as part of our mission of ‘reaching the world of sport for Christ’ in a manner consistent with our organisational ethos.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for:

• reviewing the procedures for and the efficacy with which safeguarding duties are discharged throughout the organisation.
• ensuring any identified deficiencies or weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements are remedied without delay.
• approving amendments to safeguarding arrangements in light of changing legislation taking into consideration recommended best practice.
• ensuring that effective governance of safeguarding and promotion of welfare is embedded throughout the organisation.
• ensuring regular training for the Safeguarding Team so to ensure best practice is adhered to.
• ensuring that a proportionate and legally compliant safeguarding policy is in place and that it is reviewed by trustees with support and input from DSL and deputy DSL at least annually.

The Trustee Liaison is responsible for:

• annual review with the Safeguarding Team to review procedures, staff training provision and statutory safeguarding updates.
• dealing with allegations in the event any of the Designated Safeguarding Leads or Directors are implicated or absent.

The Safeguarding Team (Jill Proctor (DSL), Tom Beaumont (Deputy DSL) and Catherine Reaney) undertakes to:

• keep updated on all binding national, local and international safeguarding legislation and procedures.
• ensure all staff complete regular safeguarding training.
• regularly review the operational guidelines.
• support the Safeguarding Officers in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect young people and adults at risk.
• ensure safeguarding best practice is adhered to across the organisation.

The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), who are trained to specialist level,are Christians in Sport staff members who have a designated role to deal with any safeguarding concerns within the organisation.

Safeguarding awareness We are committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all staff, building a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone.

Safeguarding awareness
We are committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all staff, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. The Christians in Sport Safeguarding Team are trained to Specialist Level through the Oxford Safeguarding Children Board and all other staff will undertake relevant role specific safeguarding training on a regular basis.

We will review our policy, procedures and training provision annually.

If you have any concerns for an adult or questions regarding our policy then speak to Jill Proctor and Tom Beaumont who have been approved as Designated Safeguarding Leads for Christians in Sport.

For more information relating to additional appendices, including our applied best practice guidelines, please click here to contact Catherine Reaney.

The Christians in Sport Executive Board, Trustees and Staff recognise the importance of Christians in Sport’s ministry with young people and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to its care.

Our safeguarding responsibilities cover the following areas:

1. Young People

• we have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of young people (those under 18 years of age*) and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
• we recognise every young person should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that young people we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.
• we recognise young people have the right to be treated with respect, to be listened to and to be protected from abuse.

2. Staff and Volunteers (Leaders^)

• we undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with young people.
• we ensure that leaders abide by the agreed procedures and guidelines of our Safeguarding Policy Statement, Procedures and Guidance.
• we support the Designated Safeguarding Leads and Safeguarding Officers in their work and in action they may need to take in order to protect young people.
• we provide support, where possible, to those affected by abuse but will refer the individual to the most appropriate service should this be deemed more suitable.

3. Governance

• we implement the requirements of legislation in regard to young people with disabilities.
• we keep up to date with binding national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
• we commit to building constructive links with statutory and other agencies involved in safeguarding.
• we have an additional policy that outlines our approach for safeguarding adults (18 years and older).

*In any instance where a student within the university setting is 17 years of age, their treatment as either a minor or adult will be determined by statutory obligations. For a young person who turns 18 whilst at Sports Plus, they will be treated as a young person, whilst any safeguarding concerns will be captured within the relevant policy.

^’Leaders’ refers to anyone working with under 18s in any Christians in Sport context, whether paid or voluntary. At Sports Plus this includes Team Leaders, Coaches, Support Staff and Trainee leaders /Coaches and Development Squad. ‘Staff’ and ‘volunteers’ will be used where there is a need to differentiate between those in a paid and unpaid position.

We recognise:

• Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse about a child.
• where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
• where working outside of the UK, concerns will be reported to the Christians in Sport Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and leaders will abide by the relevant country Risk Assessment.
• safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Christians in Sport is a religious organisation within the meaning of Schedule 23 of the Equality Act 2010 and Section 13 of the Human Rights Act 1998. We are committed to the safeguarding of young people and ensuring their well-being as part of our mission of ‘reaching the world of sport for Christ’ in a manner consistent with our organisational ethos.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for:

• reviewing the procedures for, and the efficiency with which, safeguarding duties are discharged throughout the organisation.
• ensuring any identified deficiencies or weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements are remedied without delay.
• approving amendments to safeguarding arrangements in light of changing legislation taking into consideration recommended best practice.
• ensuring the effective governance of safeguarding and promotion of welfare is embedded throughout the organisation.
• ensuring that the Safeguarding Team undertake regular training in best practice.
• ensuring that a proportionate and legally compliant Safeguarding Policy is in place and that it is reviewed by Trustees with support and input from DSL and deputy DSL at least annually.

The Trustee Liaison is responsible for:

• termly audit of safeguarding processes in the presence of a second trustee.
• working closely with the Safeguarding Team to review procedures, staff training provision and statutory safeguarding updates.
• providing advice and support to the Designated Safeguarding Leads
• dealing with allegations in the event any of the Designated Safeguarding Leads or Directors are implicated or absent.

The Safeguarding Team (Jill Proctor (DSL), Tom Beaumont (deputy DSL) and Catherine Reaney) undertakes to:

• keep updated on all binding local, national and relevant international safeguarding legislation and procedures.
• ensure all staff and volunteers complete regular safeguarding training relevant to their role.
• regularly review the operational guidelines.
• support the Safeguarding Officers in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect young people.
• ensure safeguarding best practice, including safer recruitment, is adhered to across the organisation.
• promptly inform Trustees of any allegations regarding volunteers or staff.
• provide all necessary information to Trustees, including updates at every Trustee meeting.

The DSLs are Christians in Sport staff members who have a designated role to deal with any safeguarding concerns within the organisation. The Safeguarding Officer (SGO) is the nominated point person for any safeguarding concerns at specific Christians in Sport events. The role of the Safeguarding Officer is set out in Appendix 3.

Safeguarding awareness

We are committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all staff, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. The Christians in Sport Safeguarding Team are trained to Specialist Level through the Oxford Safeguarding Children Board and all other staff will undertake relevant role specific safeguarding training on a regular basis.

We will review our policy, procedures and training provision annually.

If you have any concerns for a young person or questions regarding our policy then speak to Jill Proctor (DSL) or Tom Beaumont (deputy DSL).

For more information relating to additional appendices, including our applied best practice guidelines, please click here to contact Catherine Reaney.

To contact our designated safeguarding leads (Jill Proctor and Tom Beaumont) to report a concern, allegation or ask a question about our policy or practice please email safeguarding​@christiansinsport.org.uk.

If you wish to report a concern anonymously you can do so using this online form.