Safeguarding policy

This is Arun dolphins safeguarding policy.

The main points are:

Respect yourself,other dolphins and members of the public during sessions.

No photos/videos without permission.Helpers will take photos but only of those who have completed an up to date media permission form.

You and/or your care/support giver are responsible for you at all times during the session.Helpers are there to help.

If you ever have any concerns or worries look for the yellow t-shirt. All helpers wear these and we are a safe place to raise any issues.

You will receive a paper copy of this, but if needed you can request another copy

Arun Dolphins Safeguarding policy

  1. Introduction

Arun Dolphins Swimming Club is a registered charity (1022339).

We are based at The Wave in Littlehampton and our purpose is to provide a safe and friendly environment for people of any or disability to swim for therapy or enjoyment.

Safeguarding Statement 

  1. Arun Dolphins is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, both physical and emotional, of any adult at risk, who participates in our activities.  This document sets out a clear and consistent framework for delivering this commitment. 

2.  Scope and Definitions 

2.1 This process applies to anyone volunteering (helpers) for Arun Dolphins.

2.2.  Safeguarding practices apply to both children, defined in the Education Act 2002 as a person under the age of 18, and adults “at risk”.  An adult at risk as defined in the Care Act 2014 means any person aged eighteen or over who: 

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs); and

• Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and 

• 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.

Adults at risk of abuse include people with a wide range of disabilities and circumstances, including a learning or physical disability; a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise; or a reduction in physical or mental capacity.

2.3 Members refers to those who belong to the Arun Dolphins Swimming Club.

2.4 Care home setting refers to those members who live in a supported environment.

2.5 Main carers refers to carers/support workers/parents.

3.  Purpose 

  1. The purpose of this document is to: 
  1. Ensure that Arun Dolphins takes all reasonable steps to assure that everyone who meets our provision is able to participate in its activities at all times, free from any form of abuse, harassment, bullying, discrimination or grooming. In the case of children, young people and adults at risk, this process is particularly concerned to:
  • Protect them from maltreatment or abuse in any form.
  • Safeguard from grooming.
  • Prevent the impairment of their health or development. 
  • Ensure that they can enjoy your swimming session in an environment consistent with both physical and emotional safety.
  1.  Prevent harm:

    We recognise that Arun Dolphins can play a part in the prevention of harm to our members. Arun Dolphins will therefore:

  • Establish and maintain an environment where those at risk feel secure and safe to talk and are always listened to.
  • Ensure that any individual at risk knows there is an adult in Arun Dolphins whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty.

C)  Support members by:

  • Encouraging they join in with the swimming sessions in a way appropriate to them, whilst not condoning aggression, bullying or other behaviours which are contrary to the Equalities Act 2010.
  • Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment. 
  • Liaising with their main carers and other support services including those agencies involved in the safeguarding of adults at risk in specific circumstances.
  • Taking immediate action as soon as there is a significant concern.

4. Process, Procedure and Responsibilities

Recognising & Reporting AbuseIf a child or at-risk adult is in immediate danger, then you should call the Police on 999.  Except in situations of immediate danger, instances of suspected or alleged abuse should be reported using the process set out herewith.

4.1 If we, at Arun Dolphins have concerns about our members we will raise it with their main carers in the first instance. It is the carers responsibility to manage this thereafter. For carers working in a care home setting, it is their responsibility to act in line with their employers’ policy. Our members are solely their carers responsibility. It is important that our members do not believe they are ‘in trouble’ or are ‘causing trouble’.  

4.2 If Arun Dolphins concerns continue for our members living in a care home setting and we do not feel confident their main carer is acting on our concerns, we will raise this with the home directly. For those not in care home settings but living with a parent carer we will follow the procedure outlined in 4.4. 

4.3 If Arun Dolphins continue to have concerns about our members welfare, we will follow the procedure outlined in 4.4.

4.4 The following procedures must be adopted when making referrals to either Children’s or Adults’ Social Care. 

  1. Referring your concern:
  • For those aged under 18: Phone the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):
  • Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 on 01403 229900.
  • out of hours on 0330 222 6664
  • For those aged 18 and over: Contact Adult Social Care, Carepoint:
  1. Confirm referral in writing on same day: 
  1. Ensure you make detailed notes of your concerns, noting exactly what the child / adult said. Also note who you spoke to at the MASH or Carepoint. Please outline that you expect to be updated within two working days. 
  1. Both children and adult social care should respond to you within two working days. If you do not receive an update within that time, call again and ask for an outcome / update. Please remember to log the time and date of making this follow up call. 
  1. If you have still not received an update / outcome after 72 hours contact the MASH or Carepoint number again and ask to speak to the manager to request an outcome. For Children, request to speak to the MASH Manager.