Oxford SUP Club Enhanced Safeguarding Policy Statement

THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS POLICY STATEMENT

Oxford SUP Club is Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) School and Members Club. The business was established in 2015, and was incorporated as a Not-for-profit Community Interest Company in 2020. We have a team of British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA) qualified instructors who teach a wide variety of paddleboard classes from those new to the sport all the way to those looking to master the activity.

At Oxford SUP Club we are committed to increasing the number of people enjoying SUP and want to facilitate people from all ages, ethnic and social backgrounds. We want everyone to find SUP fun, rewarding, enjoyable, but most importantly safe. Children and young people have the right to be treated equally and, here at Oxford SUP Club, we will always strive to ensure that this always happens.

We have a responsibility to protect children and young people from harm. The purpose of this policy statement is to communicate how we are committed to protecting children and young people. This policy is also relevant for the children of adults who use our services. This policy should give confidence to everyone that participates in an activity with Oxford SUP Club, including staff, volunteers, seasonal workers and students that we take our responsibility to provide a safe and enjoyable environment seriously.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. Oxford SUP Club have enhanced procedures (available on request) for safeguarding children which are in line with current Child Protection Procedures and Safeguarding Adults Guidelines.

A summary of the key legislation is available from www.nspcc.org.uk/learning. 

AALA LICENSE

Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority – We hold a current AALA License, a HSE license that is legally required to take under 18s on paddle board trips without the child’s parental/legal guardian being present.

For any water sport activities to be licensable, they need to be done on ‘specified water’ – this is the sea, tidal waters (eg estuaries), inland waters more than 50 metres from the nearest land excluding any island or on turbulent inland waters.

Having the AALA license enables us to run BSUPA courses including Born to Ride and Born to Race, taster lessons, teaching under 18’s how to paddleboard properly and safely adding lots of fun to their learning.

 

BSUPA – British Stand Up Paddle Association – Recognition

BSUPA was founded in September 2007 represents British stand up paddleboarding and SUP with a focus on training courses, schools, clubs and support for events and sup training schemes.

Oxford SUP Club is a fully recognised BSUPA school and Instructor Training Centre. Our Head Coach and owner Andrew Tee is a BSUPA Trainer and the current BSUPA Chairman.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

This document should be read alongside our enhanced safeguarding policy (available on request), standard operating procedures, risk assessments, BSUPA guidance and any other relevant related documents.

The child protection lead, with assistance from the Directors, will ensure that staff are appropriately trained and can display effective communication and engagement with children, young people and families. There will be processes (as explained in our enhanced policy) in place for recording concerns and reporting information to any appropriate authorities or agencies. All allegations against staff and will be taken seriously and acted upon in line with these procedures.

Confidentially is paramount in any reports however the welfare and safety of a child will be the overriding consideration on whether to share confidential information about them.

No photographs of children will be taken by staff, volunteers or instructors at Oxford SUP Club without the permission of parents. All parents attending the session will be given advice prior to engagement of the activity on taking photographs at the site.

We have a child protection lead, and Therapeutic Wellbeing Practitioner who will all ensure that our enhanced policy is kept up to date and appropriately implemented. The Directors will report safeguarding concerns in the absence of the lead or if the lead is implicated.

In the event that there are concerns about a child, the child protection lead or Directors will contact the relevant authorities to inform their decision making process with regard to the presenting safeguarding concerns. All staff, in the absence of a member of the safeguarding team, may raise concerns directly and have been appropriately trained to do so.

We believe that:

Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.

We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them. The creation of our enhanced policy (available on request) is a commitment to this ethical responsibility.

We recognise that:

The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. There are different types of abuse which are from ‘Working Together’ and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’:

Physical

A form of abuse which may involve, but not limited to hitting, shaking, throwing, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or any other means of causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Sexual abuse

Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet).

Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Techniques which involve physical contact with children could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. The power of the coach over young performers, if misused, may also lead to abusive situations developing.

Emotional abuse

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.

It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate.

It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction.

It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

  • It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying,

causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of

children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

  • Examples of emotional abuse include subjecting children to constant criticism, name-calling, sarcasm or bullying. Putting them under continuous pressure to perform to unrealistically high standards is also a form of emotional abuse.

 

Neglect

The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

 

  • provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
  • protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger;
  • ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or
  • ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

 

Examples of neglect could include: not ensuring children are safe; exposing them to undue

cold or heat; or exposing them to unnecessary risk of injury.

 

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation are forms of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual or criminal activity. Whist age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, sexual identity, cognitive ability, physical strength, status and access to economic or other resources. (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact: it can also occur through the use of technology. Like all forms of child sex abuse, child sexual exploitation:

 

  • can affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years, including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to have sex.
  • can still be abuse even if the sexual activity appears consensual.
  • can include both contact (penetrative and non-penetrative acts) and noncontact sexual activity.
  • can take place in person or via technology, or a combination of both.
  • can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and may, or may not, be accompanied by violence or threats of violence.
  • may occur without the child or young person’s immediate knowledge (e.g. through others copying videos or images they have created and posted on social media).
  • can be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and children or adults.
  • can be a one-off occurrence or a series of incidents over time, and range from opportunistic to complex organised abuse; and is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the abuse. Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, sexual identity, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.

 

Sexting

The term ‘sexting’ relates to the sending of indecent images, videos and/or written messages with sexually explicit content; these are created and sent electronically. They are often ‘shared’ via social networking sites and instant messaging services. Saltwater SUP will not tolerate sexting; it is inappropriate and illegal amongst young people and can have extremely damaging and long-lasting consequences. Sexting is unacceptable behaviour. The misuse of electronic communication, such as sexting, inappropriate comments on any social media platform for example, being the object of online grooming are all potential safeguarding concerns. We have a responsibility to work with parents and carers in ensuring that all children are fully aware of the dangers and possible repercussions of sexting.

Up skirting

This typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without them knowing, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm. Anyone of any gender can be a victim.

Children and the court system

All staff should be aware that any child involved in legal proceedings should be made known to the child protection lead. Children are sometime required to give evidence in criminal courts, either for crimes committed against them or for crimes they have witnessed. Where there is a family break up making child arrangements via the family courts following separation can be stressful and entrench conflict in families.

Children with family members in prison

Approximately 200,000 children have a parent sent to prison each year. These children are at risk of poor outcomes including poverty, stigma, isolation and poor mental health. Staff must inform the child protection lead if they know a child has a family member in prison.

Serious Violence

All staff should be aware of the indicators, which may signal that children are at risk from, or are involved in serious violent crime. These may include but are not limited to signs of self-harm, signs of assault or unexplained injuries, unexplained gifts or new possessions could also indicate that children have been approached by, or are involved with, individuals associated with criminal networks or gangs.

Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children

Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any age and sex. It can also occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children. Children who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment will likely find the experience stressful and distressing. Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap. They can occur online and offline (both physical and verbal) and are never acceptable. It is important that all victims are taken seriously and offered appropriate support.

 

Staff should be aware that some groups are potentially more at risk. Evidence shows girls, children with SEND and LGBT children are at greater risk. It is important to make clear that sexual violence and sexual harassment is not acceptable, will never be tolerated and is not an inevitable part of growing up. Staff should not tolerate or dismissing sexual violence or sexual harassment as “banter”, “part of growing up”, “just having a laugh” or “boys being boys” and should challenge behaviours (potentially criminal in nature), such as grabbing bottoms, breasts and genitalia, flicking bras and lifting up skirts. Dismissing or tolerating such behaviours risks normalising them.

Online Safety

The online world develops and changes at great speed. New opportunities, challenges and risks are appearing all the time. The child protection lead supported by the deputy child protection lead and Health and Safety Officer will stay up to date with the latest devices, platforms, apps, trends and related threats. Online safety concerns will be taken to the child protection lead in the same way as any other form of harm, or risk of harm.

Racism

Racism is when someone is discriminated against because of their race, the colour of their skin, their nationality, their accent or first language, or their ethnic or national origin.

Children from black and minority ethnic groups (and their parents) may have experienced harassment, racial discrimination and institutional racism. Although racism causes significant harm it is not, in itself, a category of abuse. All organisations working with children, including those operating where black and minority ethnic communities are numerically small, should address racism.

 

It is important to be:

Sensitive to differing family patterns and lifestyles and to child-rearing patterns that vary across different racial, ethnic and cultural groups. At the same time they must be clear that child abuse cannot be condoned for religious or cultural reasons.

Aware of the broader social factors that serve to discriminate against black and minority ethnic people.

Committed to equality in meeting the needs of all children and families, and to understand the effects of racial harassment, racial discrimination and institutional racism, as well as cultural misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

Careful to guard against myths and stereotypes – both positive and negative – of black and minority ethnic families. Anxiety about being accused of racist practice should not prevent the necessary action being taken to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare.

All children, whatever their religious or cultural background, must receive the same care and safeguards with regard to abuse and neglect.

 

Abuse of children and young people with a disability

The available UK evidence on the extent of abuse among deaf and disabled children suggests that they are at increased risk of abuse and that the presence of multiple impairments appears to increase the risk of both abuse and neglect.

Deaf and disabled children may be especially vulnerable to abuse due to:

  •  the increased likelihood of social isolation
  • having fewer outside contacts than non-disabled children, and perhaps having limited access to someone to disclose to
  • a dependency on others for practical assistance in daily living (including intimate care)
  • an impaired capacity to resist, avoid or understand abuse
  • their speech and language communication needs may make it difficult to tell others what is happening
  • being viewed as a “safe target” for abusers

 

Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues. By working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies Saltwater SUP will strive to promote young people’s welfare.

Bullying

Bullying may be defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. It can take many forms, but the three main types are physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, theft), verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, threats, name calling) and emotional (e.g. isolating an individual from the activities and social acceptance of their peer group). There is increasing use of new technologies as a tool for bullying and such incidents should be taken seriously.

Self-Harming Behaviour

Children and young people who harm or attempt to harm themselves should be taken seriously. The self-harming behaviour in itself may cause impairment of the child’s health or development and in some circumstances present significant harm or the risk of significant harm.

Self-harming behaviour may also arise alongside eating disorders and/or drug misuse.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation is a collective term for procedures that include the removal of part or all of the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious physical and mental health consequences both at the time and in later life. The procedure is typically performed on girls of 4 – 13 years but may be performed on new born babies or on young women. FGM can result in death.

FGM is a criminal offence (Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 2003). Under the act it is an offence to arrange, procure, aid or abet female genital mutilation. Parents/carers may be liable under this act. It is also an offence to allow the procedure to be undertaken in another country. Where agencies become aware that a girl is at risk of FGM a referral should be made to Children’s Social Care

Domestic Violence as Abuse

Domestic Violence is defined by the Home Office as: ‘Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called ‘honour killings’.’

The term domestic violence is used to include any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse between people in a close relationship. It can take a number of forms such as physical assault, sexual abuse, rape, threats and intimidation. It may be accompanied by other kinds of intimidation such as degradation, mental and verbal abuse, humiliation, deprivation, systematic criticism and belittling. The term domestic violence includes the term domestic abuse.

Forced Marriage

A forced marriage is one that is conducted without the full consent of both parties and where duress is a factor. Forced marriage can amount to sexual and emotional abuse and put children or adults at risk of physical abuse. In circumstances where there are concerns that someone is at imminent risk of a forced marriage urgent referrals should be made to Children’s Adults’ Social Care. In the case of a young person at risk of forced marriage it is likely that an initial discussion with the parent, carer or other community member may significantly increase the level of risk to the young person.

Internet Harm

Sexual exploitation (see above) also includes non-contact activities, such as involving children in seeing or receiving or sending sexually suggestive emails or text-messages, or inappropriate behaviour in Internet chat rooms, involving children looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material of watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Trafficking

Children can be trafficked into, within and out of UK for many reasons and all different types of exploitation. Trafficking is a form of child abuse and needs an appropriate safeguarding response. Any child who is recruited, transported, transferred, harboured or received for exploitative reasons is considered to be a victim of trafficking, whether or not they have been forced or deceived. This is because it is not considered possible for children in this situation to give informed consent.

Even when a child understands what has happened, they may still appear to submit willingly to what they believe to be the will of their parents or accompanying adult. It is important these children are protected too.

Children are trafficked for many reasons, including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, labour, benefit fraud, forced marriage, begging and involvement in criminal activity such as pick pocketing, theft and working on cannabis farms. They are likely to be subjected to other forms of abuse, as a means of coercing and controlling them.

Trafficking is carried out by individual adults and organised crime groups.

 

Sexual activity with child/young person under the age of 18, or living away from home. Consensual sexual activity involving a young person under 18 years is not always abusive, but it may be. A child’s or young person’s ability to consent can be impaired due to lack of freedom, capacity or choice; for example because of an age/power imbalance; because it is leading into sexual exploitation; because one person is in a position of trust with the other (e.g. a teacher); where one person is vulnerable because of disability or capacity; where the child/young person is in the care of another away from home. No child under the age of 13 or under is able to consent to any sexual activity according to the Sexual Offences Act (2003).

Breast ironing

Breast ironing is where young pubescent girls’ breasts are ironed, massaged and/or pounded down through the use of hard or heated objects in order for the breasts to disappear or delay the development of the breasts entirely. The custom uses large stones, a hammer or spatulas that have been heated over scorching coals to compress the breast tissue, or an elastic belt to press the breasts so as to prevent them from growing in girls as young as 9 years old.

Breast-ironing has been identified by the UN as one of five under-reported crimes relating to female by female gender-based violence. The practice is performed usually by mothers and female relatives and it is believed that by carrying out this act: – young girls will be protected from harassment, rape, abduction – it will prevent early pregnancy that would tarnish the family name – it will allow the girl to pursue education rather than be forced into early marriage – it will delay pregnancy by “removing” signs of puberty – girls may not appear sexually attractive to men

 

Most at risk: Young pubescent girls usually aged between 9 – 15 years old. It is a well-kept secret between the young girl and her female relatives who are likely to carry out the practice.

 

Prevent, Radicalisation and Extremism

As part of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Oxford SUP Club have a duty to ‘prevent people being drawn into terrorism’. This has become known as the ‘Prevent Duty’. Where staff are concerned that children and young people are developing extremist views or show signs of becoming radicalized, they should discuss this with the child protection lead.

Preventing radicalisation: Children are vulnerable to extremist ideology and radicalisation. There is no single way of identifying whether a child is likely to be susceptible to an extremist ideology. Background factors combined with specific influences such as family and friends may contribute to a child’s vulnerability. Similarly, radicalisation can occur through many different methods (such as social media) and settings (such as the internet).

As with other safeguarding risks all staff should be alert to changes in children’s behaviour which could indicate that they may be in need of help or protection. Staff should use their judgement in identifying children who might be at risk of radicalisation taking their concerns to the child protection lead.

Extremism the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. This also includes calling for the death of members of the armed forces.

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.

 

Terrorism is an action that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people, causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes or disrupts and electronic system. The use or threat MUST be designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public and is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

Ensuring all staff who work with young or vulnerable people at Oxford SUP Club are subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before employment with us, and are trained in accordance with our enhanced safeguarding policy statement (available on request).

Oxford SUP Club is committed to ensuring all concerns raised in respect of child safeguarding or welfare are considered and acted upon in a proper and appropriate manner. The protection and safeguarding of children is paramount and should be primarily based on prevention and best practice. However, all risk cannot be eliminated but through good practice, policy and procedures, Oxford SUP Club are committed to building an appropriate culture that allows those with concerns to raise them appropriately in the knowledge they will be dealt with properly, we can minimise those risks.

From time-to-time issues of concern maybe raised and should be dealt with in line with Saltwater SUP enhanced guidance (available on request) and upon advice of competent authorities set out in the SET procedures. 

  • discuss all safeguarding and welfare concerns raised with your child protection lead unless they are implicated in the matter
  • if the child protection lead is not available, speak to the Directors.
  • if you consider a child is being harmed, or at risk of being harmed and it is not reasonably practicable to contact any of the safeguarding team or if there is an immediate risk to the child’s safety you should contact the relevant agency or NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
  • keep written records of any poor practice, child protection and/or welfare related incidents, allegations or concerns. Record details of any actions taken and the contact details of anyone who was either involved or a witness to the incident

 

Managing Concerns

Oxford SUP Club are committed to ensuring children and young people taking part in all activities are

safeguarded from harm. The outline below has been developed to give guidance in a situation where a child or young person discloses actual or potential abuse. That abuse may be current or non-recent or outside of our activities but the actions to follow remain the same.

 

React

If a concern is raised to you regarding a possible safeguarding issue, you should STAY CALM and DO NOT SHOW DISBELIEF, UPSET OR SHOCK at what you are hearing.

The person disclosing the concern will be central to how you respond.

 

If the disclosure comes from a child you must:

  • Ensure they are safe and feel safe
  • Keep an open mind
  • Only ask questions to clarify what is being said. Never use leading questions or make suggestions
  • Do not make assumptions or judgements about what the child is telling you
  • Take the concern raised seriously
  • Be honest and make clear you cannot keep a secret. You may have to pass the information on to safeguard the child disclosing or others from harm or to prevent harm that is occurring now. But reassure them you will keep them informed of any action you are to take and when you will take it.
  • If possible get another person to listen in to what is being said but only if to do so will not prevent the child disclosing what they intend to.
  • Ensure you record what is said as soon as you are able after the discussion.

 

If the disclosure comes from an adult:

  • Listen to what is being said and consider what action you need to take
  • If they are able to ask they write down, preferably on the Oxford SUP Club Referral Form, all they have told you
  • Ensure they are aware of the need for confidentiality however the welfare and safety of the person will be the overriding consideration on whether to share confidential information about them
  • Make sure that you stay calm

 

When you should share the concern raised:

  • Confidentiality must be strictly observed – unless
  • You should share the information disclosed on a strictly “need to know basis”. Ensure any person you share the information with is aware of the need to keep the matter confidential
  • If you refer the matter to the statutory agency, be guided by them as to who you should share the information with
  • If the child’s parents are not implicated in the concern they should be informed of the concern at the earliest opportunity
  • If medical treatment is required ensure that is accessed
  • Ensure the child concerned and all other children for whom you are responsible at the time are safe and supervised while you act upon the disclosure

 

But never:

  • Promise to keep a secret.
  • Confront the alleged abuser
  • Take action until you have considered what action needs to be taken and shared the information appropriately
  • Act alone – share as outlined within this document as to what action is required

 

Record

  • Your records may be required by the Children’s Social Care Team or Police and therefore must be factual. In any report, make clear which statements are facts, which are opinion and which are your interpretations of what was said
  • If available use the Oxford SUP Club Safeguarding Referral Form
  • If it is not immediately to hand, make clear notes and include the following. Some details such as address can be completed later
  • Child’s name, date of birth, gender, race, ethnic origin and address/phone number
  • Parent/carer’s details
  • Details of the alleged abuser
  • Details of the concern raised. Note clearly and factually what you were told and by whom
  • Detail of any witnesses to the concern
  • Dates of the incident(s)
  • Additional information shared with you that is hearsay – clearly note it is hearsay/second hand information and who has disclosed that to you
  • Who has been informed/had the information shared with
  • Details of any visible injuries and if possible do a drawing to show where they are visible
  • Sign and date your report and give your role and contact details

 

When a referral should be instigated

  • the incident involves an adult
  • there is reason to believe that a young person has been coerced, blackmailed or groomed, or if there are concerns about their capacity to consent (for example owing to special educational needs)
  • what you know about the imagery suggests the content depicts sexual acts which are unusual for the young person’s developmental stage, or are violent
  • the imagery involves sexual acts and any pupil in the imagery is under 13
  • you have reason to believe a pupil or pupil is at immediate risk of harm owing to the sharing of the imagery, for example, the young person is presenting as suicidal or self-harming

 

If none of the above apply then Oxford SUP Club may decide to respond to the incident without involving the police or children’s social care (Oxford SUP Club can choose to escalate the incident at any time if further information/concerns come to light). The decision to respond to the incident without involving the police or children’s social care would be made in cases when the child protection lead is confident that they have enough information to assess the risks to those involved and the risks can be managed. Where necessary Oxford SUP Club may seek guidance on whether such incidents could be prevented under procedural changes.

Sexting includes the new offence – Up skirting: typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without them knowing, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm.

 

Procedure for Making a Child Protection Referral

Step One

  • A child/young person makes an allegation or raises concerns about abuse, or your assessment of the level of risk to a child changes

Or

  • An allegation or concern is raised by someone about a child/young person
  • Listen to the concern – do not ask detailed questions at this stage.
  • Believe the child/young person.
  • Reassure them they have done the right thing by telling.
  • Explain what you will need to do with the information, who you will tell, who you won’t tell, when you will tell, what might happen.
  • Is the child/young person under 18 years of age?
  • Yes No
  • Follow this safeguarding procedure for a child/young person

Step Two

  • Make an immediate record of the concern or allegation, include details of the referrer, any alleged victim, any alleged perpetrator/s, date and time, how received (‘phone, text, email, letter, in person)

Step Three

  • Discuss what immediate action to take with the child protection lead, or a colleague, if s/he is not immediately available, then proceed to Step Four

Step Four

  • You, or the child protection lead, will talk the referral through with:
  • Duty Officer within Children’s Social Care or child/young person’s own social worker (if a Child in Need or Looked After)
  • Follow up by emailing all details (see Oxford SUP Club Safeguarding Referral Form) to the agreed social care officer recipient within 48 hrs of referral. This can be arranged with the Duty Officer within Children’s Social Care. Make sure all of the information is handled securely and only those that have/need to see the information.

Step Five

  • Check that all actions have been taken

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

Oxford SUP Club recognise that all matters relating to child protection are confidential and the child protection lead will only disclose personal information about participants to other members of staff on a need-to-know basis only. However, all staff are aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.

 

When considering sharing information, the staff will consider the following rules:

  • remember that GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information, it provides the framework
  • be open & honest with the person from the outset about how information may be shared
  • seek advice; do not fail to share information because you are unsure what to do
  • share with consent where appropriate and respect the wishes of those who refuse consent unless you believe that there is a risk of harm to child if the information is not shared
  • consider safety and well-being of the child and base information sharing decisions on this
  • ensure all information shared is Necessary, Proportionate, Relevant, Accurate, Timely & Secure. Ensure any third party or hearsay information is identified and that you have consent to share it
  • keep a record of your decision and reasons for it. Record what you have shared, with whom and the purpose

 

CONTACT DETAILS

Child protection lead

Name: Nicolette Glashan

Email: nicolette@flourishoxford.com

 

Director

Name: Andrew Tee

Email: mailto:info@oxfordsupclub.org

 

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111 (Free)

 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

 

 

This policy was last reviewed on:  01/05/2023                     Signed: Andrew Tee – Director