Paddle Avon Safeguarding Adults Policy

Section 1 - Safeguarding adults policy

Safeguarding adults policy statement

Paddle Avon believes everyone has the right to live free from fear, abuse and neglect irrespective of age, ability or disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, socio-economic background or marital status. We want ALL adults to have a positive and enjoyable experience of paddlesport with Paddle Avon in a safe and caring environment, where they will be listened to and where they feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.

Safeguarding adults is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of adults and to protect them from harm.

Paddle Avon is committed to upholding safeguarding best practice and minimising the risk of adults being harmed. Our safeguarding policies, procedures, training and support will promote safe and inclusive environments.

Paddle Avon recognises that health, well-being, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience and can vary at different times in people’s lives. We acknowledge that any adult may be at risk of harassment or abuse from time to time and that some experience barriers, to communicating concerns or seeking help. We will respect every adult’s decision to choose whether to identify themselves as at risk and/or having care and support needs. We encourage adults who require support to participate in paddlesport to discuss their needs with one of our Club Welfare Officers. We acknowledge that Adults at Risk can be particularly vulnerable to abuse, and we will take reasonable and appropriate steps to protect their welfare.

Paddle Avon acknowledges that it is everybody’s responsibility to recognise concerns and take appropriate action. We are committed to preventing abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults who participate in, or encounter club activities. We acknowledge that abuse can take place face-to-face and online; that it can be historical or current; and that perpetrators can be children or adults, including those in positions of trust. We will act in accordance with our policies and procedures, and those of Paddle UK, to prevent, recognise, respond to and report safeguarding challenges. Individuals who raise concerns will be protected from any reprisals or victimisation (including informal pressures) from whistleblowing or reporting concerns in good faith.

Scope

This Safeguarding Adults Policy and associated procedures apply to everyone involved with Paddle Avon, whether they are club members or not, and to all concerns about the safety of adults identified during club activities. Safeguarding is a collective responsibility – we all have a duty of care to safeguard and protect adults, both inside and outside our sport. Failure to comply will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in exclusion from the club.

Definition of an Adult at Risk

The Care Act (2014) places specific responsibilities on local authorities, health services and the police for protecting Adults at Risk. It defines an Adult at Risk as follows:

A person over 18 years of age
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

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 definition of an Adult at Risk could include any adult given their circumstances at a particular time; therefore this policy refers to ‘safeguarding adults’. Adults at Risk are specifically identified in our policy because they require additional and legal protective measures, which are outlined.

A key difference between safeguarding children and safeguarding adults is an adult’s right to self-determination. Ultimately, an adult may choose not to take any action at all to protect themselves.

Our commitment to safeguarding adults includes:

Promoting and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all adults who encounter Paddle Avon activities. We do this through communicating, implementing and upholding clear codes of conduct and up-to-date safeguarding policies and procedures.
Putting first the well-being of those at risk of harm. We actively encourage these adults to communicate their views and to describe the outcomes they want to achieve. Their wishes will be respected and supported unless there are overriding reasons not to.
Ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe.
Taking seriously, responding promptly, and following-up in line with our Safeguarding Adults Policy and procedures, any concern that an adult is not safe. Actions taken will respect the rights and dignity of all those involved and be proportionate to the risk of harm.
Use safe recruitment practices and continually assesses the suitability of individual club coaches, leaders, officials and volunteers to prevent the deployment of unsuitable individuals.
Ensuring club coaches, leaders, officials and volunteers understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding. Safeguarding training is mandatory for all club coaches and leaders. The club will provide appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to adults.
Appointing Welfare Officers to oversee safeguarding matters. Their contact details will be communicated to all members.
Ensuring that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and are securely stored in line with data protection legislation and guidance.

Other Relevant Policies

This policy operates in conjunction with the following Paddle Avon policies (or the Paddle UK equivalents when no Paddle Avon document is published):

Code of Conduct
Anti-bullying Policy
Safeguarding Whistleblowing Policy
Showers & Changing Room Policy
Photography & Filming Policy Statement
Disciplinary and Appeal Procedure

Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually, and in the following circumstances:

whenever there are changes in relevant legislation and/or government guidance;
as required by Bath & North-East Somerset Community Safety and Safeguarding Partnership, UK Sport or Paddle UK;
when a new Club Welfare Officer comes into post;
as a result of any other significant change or event.

Section 2 – Reporting concerns

ABUSE is the misuse of power and control that one person has over another. It may be a single act or repeated acts. It may be the result of deliberate intent, negligence, omission or ignorance.

It can occur within relationships or by strangers and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.

Sexual Abuse: Includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault, or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented, or was pressured into consenting.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Includes threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
Self-neglect: Covers a wide range of behaviour, but can be broadly defined as neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.
Physical Abuse: Includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraint, and misuse of medication. It can also include inappropriate sanctions.
Domestic Abuse: Includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse within the home. It also includes so-called “honour” based violence.
Neglect and acts of omission: Includes ignoring medical or physical care needs and failing to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services. It also includes withdrawing the necessities of life, including medication, adequate nutrition, and heating.
Discriminatory: Harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of a difference or perceived difference, particularly with respect to age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, or religion or belief.
Financial or material abuse: Includes theft, fraud, internet scamming, and coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions. It can also include the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.
Organisational Abuse: Includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting, such as a hospital or care home, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. It can range from one-off incidents to ongoing ill-treatment.
Modern Slavery: encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude.

Other types of abuse:

Cyber bullying
Forced marriage
Mate crime
Radicalisation

Before reporting any suspected/known abuse against an adult, remember adults have the right to self determination and this means:

CONSENT from the adult MUST be granted before reporting any concerns (except for the exceptions listed below).
We must RESPECT THE DECISION of the adult, regardless of our own assessment of a situation.
The starting position is always to ASSUME the adult has mental capacity to make their own decisions, unless proven otherwise.

This should ONLY be overridden in the following circumstances:

To protect others.
Where not intervening would cause further harm to the individual.
If the adult lacks the capacity to make the decision for themselves.
Where a crime may have been committed.

If an adult does not give their consent to concerns being reported, where possible you should always explain to them what you would like to do, and why. You should seek to work with them to find a way to respond to their situation that is right for them. If consent is still not given and their decision has to be overridden, then try to explain why you are doing it.

Paddle Avon officials, members and others connected with the club (e.g. Paddle UK staff) are NOT able to determine whether an adult has capacity to make their own decisions (it is to be assumed).

If abuse is experienced, described, witnessed or disclosed, your responsibility is to:

RECOGNISE possible signs of abuse, RESPOND to disclosures or concerns, REPORT them to the appropriate person (see ‘How to Report Concerns’), RECORD the concerns quickly and confidentially.

Further guidance on recognising abuse (including general and specific indicators) and responding to and recording concerns can be found in Paddle Avon’s ‘Safeguarding Adults Guidance: How to Recognise, Respond to and Report Concerns’.

How to Report Concerns

If you have a safeguarding concern or worry about an adult, whether it relates directly you, it is something you have witnessed, or it is something that someone has reported or disclosed to you, even if it does not relate to paddlesports – don’t keep it to yourself.

Even if you think that it is a lower‐level concern or are not sure ‐ REPORT IT. Small pieces of information can help to create a big picture. IF IN DOUBT – PASS IT ON.

REPORTING A CONCERN

Tell a Club Welfare Officer (or use welfare@paddleavon.club or welfare2@paddleavon.club ), Event Welfare Officer or trip organiser and follow up by completing a Concerns Form within 24 hours where possible. Hard copies of the form are kept at the Saltford Rowing Centre, in the signing-in/out book in the Boat Store. Online and printable versions can also be found at paddleuk.org.uk/report-a-safeguarding-concern .

If you are unable to speak to a Club or Event Welfare Officer or trip organiser or there may be a conflict of interest, you should contact the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team.

EXTERNAL HELP

If you are unable to contact the appropriate person(s) and need urgent advice, you can contact Bath & North East Somerset Council’s dedicated Adult Safeguarding Team on 01225 394200 (Mon – Thurs 8:30am – 5:00pm, Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm) or 01454 615165 (out of office hours). In these instances, document the advice given and any action taken and complete a Concerns Form and send it to Paddle UK within 24 hours. Alternatively, the Paddle UK Online Reporting Concerns Form may be used within the same timescale.

CONCERNS ABOUT PADDLE UK STAFF, COACHES, VOLUNTEERS OR EXTERNAL PROVIDERS

All concerns about the behaviour of Paddle UK staff, coaches, volunteers and external providers, must be reported to the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team either directly, or via a Club Welfare Officer within 24 hours of being noticed.

To contact the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team you can use the Concerns Form , Online Concerns Form , call 0115 8655354 or email safeguarding@paddleuk.org.uk .

FOR CLUB WELFARE OFFICERS:

If you have a concern that requires escalating to the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team or a referral to statutory agencies is needed (or if you are unsure), you should contact the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team as soon as possible. If you have made a statutory referral, inform the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team within 24 hrs.

Key Points

SELF-CARE: Dealing with difficult situations and listening to disclosures can be difficult. It is important to make sure you look after your own emotional well-being and mental health. If you are struggling with something you have seen or heard, please talk to someone without disclosing any sensitive information, or you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123.
WHISTLEBLOWING: Our whistleblowing policy highlights our stance on protecting and supporting anyone who whistle-blows (the Paddle UK policy applies until Paddle Avon publishes its own policy).
ALLEGATIONS: If you have allegations made against you and you wish to discuss the matter with an impartial person, please contact the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team. They will arrange contact with a Safeguarding Support Officer who can inform you of the investigation process and what you can expect, as well as provide signposting for support and advice.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Paddle Avon and Paddle UK will take seriously and respond to all safeguarding concerns reported in good faith. All information reported to the Club Welfare Officers or Paddle UK will be treated confidentially and will only be shared with others where there is a need to do so, such as for the safety of others or for the prevention or detection of a crime.
COMPLAINTS: If you are unhappy with how a safeguarding concern has been responded to, in the first instance contact the Paddle UK Safeguarding Team (see also the Paddle UK Safeguarding Whistleblowing Policy ) or you can contact the Ann Craft Trust advice line on 0115 951 5400 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm) or email ann-craft-trust@nottingham.ac.uk .

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