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.’

Within this document we will demonstrate how we will do this for adults (anyone aged 18yrs and over) involved with the work of Christians in Sport. Our approach will cover the spectrum of care from pastoral support through to legal safeguarding obligations. This is set against a backdrop of Biblical principles (see Appendix 1).

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.

Guideline Context

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. Multipliers)
  
• Beneficiaries (e.g. elite athlete, 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. 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 and also help individuals recognise when and how to report a safeguarding concern and when to offer pastoral (prayer, practical support) input only.

*The safeguarding of staff is covered by employment law.

Governance

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
• Building constructive links with 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 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 regular training for the Safeguarding Team so to ensure best practice is adhered to.
  

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, Tom Beaumont & 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) 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, 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.

We are committed to the following:

1. Young People

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• ensuring that leaders abide by the agreed procedures and guidelines of our Safeguarding Policy Statement, Procedures and Guidance.
• supporting the Designated Safeguarding Leads and Safeguarding Officers in their work and in action they may need to take in order to protect young people.
• providing 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

• implementing the requirements of legislation in regard to young people with disabilities.
• keeping up to date with binding national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
• we are committed to building constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.

*In any instance where a student within the university setting is 17 years of age, their treatment as either a minor or adult with be determined by statutory obligations.

^’Leaders’ refers to anyone working with under 18s in any context, whether paid or voluntary. At Sports Plus this includes Team Leaders, Coaches, Support Staff and Trainees. ‘Staff’ and ‘volunteers’ will be used where there is a need to differentiate.

We recognise:

Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns 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 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 regular training for the Safeguarding Team so to ensure best practice is adhered to.
  

The Trustee Liaison is responsible for:

• reviewing the Police Check Log termly in the presence of a second Trustee.
• 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, Tom Beaumont & 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.
• ensure safeguarding best practice is adhered to across the organisation.

The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) 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.

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 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.

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