Working to safeguard ALL children and adults
We all have a role to play in keeping others safe and people should know what to do if they have any concerns. The welfare of children, young people and adults is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone involved in the Youth Sport Trust from employees, volunteers, trustees, consultants, agency workers, parents/carers, and partners can help to safeguard children, young people and adults.
It is important to note a safe environment is one where the possibility of abuse is openly acknowledged; employees and volunteers are vetted and trained; and those who report concerns are confident that these will be treated seriously and confidentially.
The Youth Sport Trust takes its responsibilities and role very seriously and is committed to putting systems and procedures in place to safeguard children, young people and adults.
For more information read our Children and Young People safeguarding policy. You can also read our Safeguarding Adults policy and our social media policy for staff and volunteers.
Reporting a Safeguarding or Welfare concern
It is never easy to come forward and report concerns regarding safeguarding or welfare. In many cases, it is not easy to tell whether the actions of an individual or an organisation constitutes abuse.
If you have concerns about the welfare of a person or the practices of the Youth Sport Trust, it is very important that you report it.
The YST has a process for reporting any child or adult at risk welfare concerns whether these are within or outside of the YST environment.
Child/Young Person concern
If you think a child is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999. You can also ring the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 to report immediate risks.
If there is no immediate danger or medical attention required, report your concerns to the Lead Safeguarding Officer or relevant designated person by calling 01509 462963 or by emailing [email protected] who will log the concern, complete a YST Safeguarding Incident Report Form and take any appropriate action.
It's important to remember that the welfare of the child is paramount.
Adult concern
If you think an adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999. Wherever possible let the adult know what you’re doing.
If the adult is not in immediate danger or injured, wherever possible you should discuss your concerns with the adult and together determine what should happen next. Report your concerns to the Lead Safeguarding Officer or relevant designated person who will log the concern, complete a YST Safeguarding Incident Report Form and take any appropriate action.
If you have a query or concern around a safeguarding issue, please contact our Lead Safeguarding Officer on 01509 462963 or by confidential email [email protected].
Safeguarding Incident Report Form
Wherever possible, any report must be made in writing using the Safeguarding Incident Report Form which sets out the required information. Some of the information in the form may not be known or be available to you or YST. Remember, you can only refer the information you have. Referrals must not be delayed to allow for searches for missing information that you may or may not be able to find.
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing can be used to raise concerns over misconduct or malpractice within YST, the individual behaviour of an adult towards a child, or when it’s recognised that appropriate actions have not been taken.
Anyone with a concern about an individual or an organisation’s practice can contact the YST’s Safeguarding team via email on [email protected] or calling 01509 462963. Alternatively, concerns can be reported directly to the Police or Children’s Social Care, or to the Child Protection in Sport Unit via [email protected] or the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Anyone who refers their concerns, in good faith, will be supported in doing so, knowing that their concerns will be treated seriously and managed sensitively and appropriately. Our Whistleblowing Policy can be found here.
Safeguarding Complaints
Complaints about the way in which a safeguarding concern has been managed, must in the first instance be directed to the YST’s Lead Safeguarding Officer. Safeguarding concerns and complaints reported to us will be taken seriously and responded to promptly and appropriately. If the concern is about the YST’s Lead Safeguarding Officer, contact the YST Chief Executive Officer.
Further Safeguarding Information
Safer recruitment
In order for the Youth Sport Trust to remain safe and welcoming environment, appropriate criminal records checks must be made for all roles which involve significant contact with children or adults at risk.
Individuals must obtain the correct level of criminal records check and complete a self-disclosure providing details of any convictions. Any convictions, cautions or other information that comes to light as a result of a criminal records check is reviewed by the Youth Sport Trust HR team for relevancy regarding safeguarding and the individual's suitability to work (or volunteer) with children or adults at risk. This is re-checked every 3 years or sooner if required.
The Youth Sport Trust may request further information from any individual who has a conviction which is deemed to be potentially relevant.
The existence of previous conviction(s) or caution(s) or other information will not necessarily prevent an individual from taking on the role for which they have applied. It will depend on the nature and circumstance of the conviction(s)/caution(s) or information provided in relation to the Disclosure. The Youth Sport Trust policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders can be read here.
If convictions are revealed through a Vetting Check only the HR Team and Safeguarding Team will be aware of these unless there is a need to share information with others in order to protect children or an adult at risk.
An individual will not be able to take on the role where a criminal records check is required until their Vetting check is confirmed as "complete" by the Youth Sport Trust.
Code of Ethics and Conduct
The Youth Sport Trust (YST) Code of Ethics and Conduct outlines the behaviour expected from everyone connected with the YST. All individuals have a responsibility to act according to the highest standards of integrity.
Everyone involved in YST activities, both adults and young people/children have a responsibility for setting the standards and treating everyone with dignity, respect, sensitivity, and fairness. This Code allows YST to uphold its internal values of trust, integrity, responsibility, and partnership working and allows us to deal with any breaches of the Policy with a consistent approach. Everyone involved in YST plays a part in making sure all aspects of our work are inclusive and welcoming of everyone.
This Code of Ethics and Conduct applies to everyone taking part in YST activities, whether you have a voluntary or a paid role, or are participating in one of our events.
Anti-Bullying Policy
Youth Sport Trust are committed to providing a friendly, inclusive, and safe environment for children, young people and adults participating in our activities and events. The purpose of the policy is to prevent bullying behaviour between children and young people at our activities and events, provides further guidance and information on bullying and to ensure any concerns or allegations of bullying behaviour is acted upon quickly. For more information read our Anti Bullying Policy.
Using Social Media
While we encourage the use of social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat etc), we have certain standards, outlined in our Social Media policy, which we require everyone to observe.
It is well documented that the advance of social media has had negative side effects among young people. These can include stress and addiction, sedentary behaviour and opportunities for bullying and harassment. Used in the wrong way, information inappropriately shared on social media can pose a threat to young people’s safety. It is, therefore, vital that organisations like YST take a proactive approach to ensure that our use of social media does not put children and young people at risk of harm.
Information for children and young people
If something is worrying you, please don’t keep it to yourself. Tell an adult that you trust as soon as possible. This could be:
- a parent or someone else in your family
- a teacher at school
- your doctor or school nurse
If you are involved in Youth Sport Trust activities, we have a safeguarding and welfare support team that you can contact by calling 01509 462963 or by emailing [email protected]
You can also call Childline, a free 24/7 helpline for children and young people. Phone 0800 1111 or go on the Childline website to chat online to a counsellor.
Essential Contacts
For contact details of a variety of organisation's who can advise and assist in child and adult welfare matters.