Policies

This privacy policy explains how we use any personal information we collect about you when you use our website. Our privacy policy may be updated at any time. Please check back here to review any changes.

What information do we hold?
We collect information about you when you visit our website for the first time, and when you interact with our pages. We also collect information when you voluntarily complete our contact and/or booking form and submit enquiries. Website usage information is collected using cookies.

How do we use it and why?
We use your information collected from the website to personalise your repeat visits to our website and to help us understand what does and doesn't work on our website. We'll use information you submit through our contact and/or booking form to help you with your specific enquiry. Under the GDPR we must establish a legal basis for processing your personal data and let you know what this is. It is in The Pythian Club’s interest to process your personal data for the outline above. This processing shouldn't impact on you negatively and is necessary for our website to function correctly.

Who do we share it with?
We use several different third-party services to process your data, which allow us to give you the best possible experience. If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be up front about this. We always make clear when we collect personal information and explain what we intend to do with it. We can't take responsibility for the behaviour of sites linked to or from our website. You should consult their individual privacy policies for more information.

Cookies
Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information. This information is used to track visitor use of the website and to compile statistical reports on website activity. For further information visit http://www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org. You can set your browser not to accept cookies and the above websites tell you how to remove cookies from your browser. However, in a few cases some of our website features may not function as a result.

Embedded content
Sometimes we'll embed content in our pages that we don't control or operate. This is common for social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. When you interact with these elements, which are always marked clearly by a third-party’s logo, you've not interacted with our website but instead the service embedded, and we can't guarantee what data is collected.

Search engine
Our website search is powered by Google. Search queries and results are logged anonymously to help us improve our website and search functionality. No user-specific data is collected by either us or any third party.

Google Analytics
We use a third-party service, Google Analytics, to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to various parts of the site. This information is only processed in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make, and do not allow Google to make, any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website.

Squarespace
Squarespace host our website and content management system. We'd only ever give them personal information if it was strictly necessary to fix specific faults or errors, and we ensure no data is kept or copied.

How long do we keep your data?
Personally identifiable data that's used at a top level for the maintenance and upkeep of the website is held in your browser in the form of cookies, which you have control over. You may delete them at any time. Data collected through contact and/or booking forms, and enquiries will be held for a variable amount of time depending on exactly what it's being used for, but it'll usually be in line with our retention policy. We'll always tell you at the point when this data is going to be collected if it's not in line with our retention policy.

Where can I get more information?
If you have any questions about the website, please contact support@thepythianclub.co.uk.

We will keep this privacy notice under regular review and will place any updates on this web page.

Last updated on 11/02/2024.

The purpose of this policy statement is:
• to protect children and young people who engage with or access The Pythian Club C.I.C services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services
• to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of The Pythian Club C.I.C., including Senior Managers, staff, volunteers, sessional workers, and students.

Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England.
A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning supporting documents.
This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance, and other related documents.
• Role description for the designated safeguarding officer
• Managing allegations against staff and volunteers
• Recording concerns and information sharing
• Child protection records retention and storage
• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• Behaviour codes for children and young people
• Photography and sharing images guidance
• Safer recruitment
• Online safety
• Anti-bullying
• Managing complaints
• Whistleblowing
• Health and safety
• Induction, training, supervision, and support
• Adult to child supervision ratios

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 practise in a way that protects them.

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
• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

What is child abuse?
Child abuse happens when a person harms a child. It can be physical, sexual, or emotional, but can also involve neglect. Children may be abused by:
• family members
• friends
• people working or volunteering in organisational or community settings
• people they know
• strangers.

General signs of abuse
Children experiencing abuse often experience more than one type of abuse over a period. Children who experience abuse may be afraid to tell anybody about the abuse. They may struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or confusion – particularly if the abuser is a parent, caregiver or other close family member or friend.

Definitions and signs of child abuse
Many of the signs that a child is being abused are the same regardless of the type of abuse. Anyone working with children or young people needs to be able to recognise the signs. These include a child:
• being afraid of places or making excuses to avoid particular people
• knowing about or being involved in ‘adult issues’ which are inappropriate for their age or stage of development, for example alcohol, drugs and/or sexual behaviour
• having angry outbursts or behaving aggressively towards others
• becoming withdrawn or appearing anxious, clingy, or depressed
• self-harming or having thoughts about suicide
• showing changes in eating habits or developing eating disorders
• regularly experiencing nightmares or sleep problems
• regularly wetting the bed or soiling their clothes
• running away or regularly going missing from home or care
• not receiving adequate medical attention after injuries.

These signs do not necessarily mean that a child is being abused. There may well be other reasons for changes in a child’s behaviour such as a bereavement or relationship problems between parents or carers. If you have any concerns about a child’s well-being, you should report them following your organisation’s safeguarding and child protection procedures. Find out more about recognising and responding to abuse.

Physical abuse: What is physical abuse?
Physical abuse happens when a child is deliberately hurt, causing physical harm. It can involve hitting, kicking, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or suffocating. It is also physical abuse if a parent or carer makes up or causes the symptoms of illness in children. For example, they may give them medicine they do not need, making them unwell. This is known as fabricated or induced illness (FII).

Spotting the signs of physical abuse
All children have trips, falls and accidents which may cause cuts, bumps, and bruises. These injuries tend to affect bony areas of their body such as elbows, knees and shins and are not usually a cause for concern. Injuries that are more likely to indicate physical abuse include:

Bruising
• bruises on babies who are not yet crawling or walking
• bruises on the cheeks, ears, palms, arms, and feet
• bruises on the back, buttocks, tummy, hips, and backs of legs
• multiple bruises in clusters, usually on the upper arms or outer thighs
• bruising which looks like it has been caused by fingers, a hand, or an object, like a belt or shoe
• large oval-shaped bite marks.

Burns or scalds
• any burns which have a clear shape of an object, for example cigarette burns
• burns to the backs of hands, feet, legs, genitals, or buttocks.

Other signs of physical abuse include multiple injuries (such as bruising, fractures) inflicted at various times. If a child is frequently injured, and if the bruises or injuries are unexplained or the explanation does not match the injury, this should be investigated. It is also concerning if there is a delay in seeking medical help for a child who has been injured.

What is neglect?
Neglect is not meeting a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs. This can result in severe damage to their health and development.

Neglect may involve a parent or carer not:
• providing adequate food, clothing, or shelter
• supervising a child or keeping them safe from harm or danger (including leaving them with unsuitable carers)
• making sure the child receives appropriate health and/or dental care
• making sure the child receives a suitable education
• meeting the child’s basic emotional needs – this is known as emotional neglect. Neglect is the most common type of child abuse. It often happens at the same time as other types of abuse.

Spotting the signs of neglect
Neglect can be difficult to identify. Isolated signs may not mean that a child is suffering neglect, but multiple and persistent signs over time could indicate a genuine problem.

Some of these signs include:
• children who appear hungry - they may not have lunch money or even try to steal food
• children who appear dirty or smelly
• children whose clothes are inadequate for the weather conditions
• children who are left alone or unsupervised for lengthy periods or at a young age
• children who have untreated injuries, health, or dental problems
• children with poor language, communication, or social skills for their stage of development
• children who live in an unsuitable home environment.

Sexual abuse: What is sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse is forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities. It does not necessarily involve violence and the child may not be aware that what is happening is abuse. Child sexual abuse can involve contact abuse and non-contact abuse.

Contact abuse happens when the abuser makes physical contact with the child. It includes:
• sexual touching of any part of the body whether the child is wearing clothes or not
• rape or penetration by putting an object or body part inside a child's mouth, vagina, or anus
• forcing or encouraging a child to take part in sexual activity
• making a child take their clothes off or touch someone else's genitals.

Non-contact abuse involves non-touching activities. It can happen online or in person and includes:
• encouraging or forcing a child to watch or hear sexual acts
• making a child masturbate while others watch
• not taking proper measures to prevent a child being exposed to sexual activities by others
• showing pornography to a child
• making, viewing, or distributing child abuse images
• allowing someone else to make, view or distribute child abuse images.
• meeting a child following online sexual grooming with the intent of abusing them.

Online sexual abuse includes:
• persuading or forcing a child to send or post sexually explicit images of themselves, this is sometimes referred to as sexting
• persuading or forcing a child to take part in sexual activities via a webcam or smartphone
• having sexual conversations with a child by text or online.

Abusers may threaten to send sexually explicit images, video, or copies of sexual conversations to the young person's friends and family unless they take part in other sexual activity. Images or videos may continue to be shared long after the abuse has stopped. Abusers will often try to build an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse. This is known as grooming.

Spotting the signs of sexual abuse

There may be physical signs that a child has suffered sexual abuse. These include:
• anal or vaginal soreness or itching
• bruising or bleeding near the genital area
• discomfort when walking or sitting down
• an unusual discharge
• sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• pregnancy.

Changes in the child’s mood or behaviour may also cause concern. They may want to avoid spending time with specific people. In particular, the child may show sexual behaviour that is inappropriate for their age.
For example:
• they could use sexual language or know things about sex that you would not expect them to
• they might become sexually active or pregnant at an early age.

Child Sexual Exploitation

What is child sexual exploitation?
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. Young people may be coerced or groomed into exploitative situations and relationships. They may be given things such as gifts, money, drugs, alcohol, status, or affection in exchange for taking part in sexual activities.
Young people may be tricked into believing they are in a loving, consensual relationship. They often trust their abuser and do not understand that they are being abused. They may depend on their abuser or be too scared to tell anyone what is happening. They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol before being sexually exploited. They can also be groomed and exploited online.
Some children and young people are trafficked into or within the UK for sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation can also happen to young people in gangs (Berelowitz et al, 2013).
Child sexual exploitation can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults and involve multiple perpetrators. Sexual exploitation can be difficult to identify.

Young people who are being sexually exploited may:
• go missing from home, care, or education
• be involved in abusive relationships
• hang out with groups of older people
• be involved in gangs or anti-social groups
• have older boyfriends or girlfriends
• spend time at places of concern, such as hotels or known brothels
• be involved in petty crime such as shoplifting
• have access to drugs and alcohol
• have new things such as clothes and mobile phones, which they are not able to easily explain or have unexplained physical injuries.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour:

What is harmful sexual behaviour?
Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour which is displayed by children and young people, and which may be harmful or abusive. It may also be referred to as sexually harmful behaviour or sexualised behaviour.

HSB encompasses a range of behaviours, which can be displayed towards younger children, peers, older children, or adults. It is harmful to the children and young people who display it, as well as the people towards whom it is directed.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour can include:
• using sexually explicit words and phrases
• inappropriate touching
• using sexual violence or threats
• sexual activity with other children or adults.

Sexual behaviour between children is considered harmful if one of the children is much older – particularly if there is more than two years’ difference in age or if one of the children is pre-pubescent and the other is not (Davies, 2012).
However, a younger child can abuse an older child, particularly if they have power over them – for example, if the older child is disabled (Rich, 2011).
Spotting the signs of harmful sexual behaviour
It is normal for children to show signs of sexual behaviour at each stage in their development. Children also develop at different rates, and some may be slightly more or less advanced than other children in their age group. Behaviours which might be concerning depend on the child’s age and the situation.

Emotional abuse What is emotional abuse?
Emotional abuse involves:
• humiliating, putting down or regularly criticising a child
• shouting at, threatening a child, or calling them names
• mocking a child or making them perform degrading acts
• constantly blaming or scapegoating a child for things which are not their fault
• trying to control a child’s life and not recognising their individuality
• not allowing a child to have friends or develop socially
• pushing a child too hard or not recognising their limitations
• manipulating a child
• exposing a child to distressing events or interactions
• persistently ignoring a child
• being cold and emotionally unavailable during interactions with a child
• not being positive or encouraging to a child or praising their achievements and successes.

Spotting the signs of emotional abuse
There are not usually any obvious physical signs of emotional abuse, but you may spot changes in a child's actions or emotions. Some children are naturally quiet and self-contained whilst others are more open and affectionate. Mood swings and challenging behaviour are also a normal part of growing up for teenagers and children going through puberty. Be alert to behaviours which are out of character for the individual child or are particularly unusual for their stage of development.

Babies and preschool children who are being emotionally abused may:
• be overly affectionate towards strangers or people they have known for only a short time
• not appear to have a close relationship with their parent, for example when being taken to or collected from nursery
• lack confidence or become wary or anxious
• be unable to play
• be aggressive or nasty towards other children and animals.

Older children may:
• use language, act in a way, or know about things that you would not expect for their age
• struggle to control strong emotions or have extreme outbursts
• seem isolated from their parents
• lack social skills or have few, if any, friends
• fear of making mistakes
• fear their parent being approached regarding their behaviour
• self-harm

Domestic abuse

What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between people who are, or who have been in a relationship, regardless of gender or sexuality. It can include physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or financial abuse.

Exposure to domestic abuse is child abuse. Children can be directly involved in incidents of domestic abuse, or they may be harmed by seeing or hearing abuse happening. Children in homes where there is domestic abuse are also at risk of other types of abuse or neglect.

Spotting the signs of domestic abuse, it can be difficult to tell if domestic abuse is happening, because abusers can act very differently when other people are around.

Children who witness domestic abuse may:
• become aggressive
• display anti-social behaviour
• suffer from depression or anxiety
• not do as well at school - due to difficulties at home or disruption of moving to and from refuges.

Bullying and cyberbullying

What is bullying and cyberbullying?
Bullying is when individuals or groups seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone who is perceived to be vulnerable.

Bullying includes:
• verbal abuse, such as name— calling
• non-verbal abuse, such as hand signs or glaring
• emotional abuse, such as threatening, intimidating or humiliating someone
• exclusion, such as ignoring or isolating someone
• undermining, by constant criticism or spreading rumours
• controlling or manipulating someone
• racial, sexual, or homophobic bullying
• physical assaults, such as hitting and pushing
• making silent, hoax or abusive calls.

Bullying can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. When bullying happens online it can involve social networks, games, and mobile devices.

Online bullying can also be known as cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying includes:
• sending threatening or abusive text messages
• creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos
• 'trolling' - sending menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games
• excluding children from online games, activities, or friendship groups
• setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child
• encouraging young people to self-harm
• voting for or against someone in an abusive poll
• creating fake accounts, hijacking, or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name.

Spotting the signs of bullying and cyberbullying
It can be hard to know whether a child is being bullied. They might not tell anyone because they are scared the bullying will get worse. They might also think that the bullying is their fault.

No one sign indicates for certain that a child’s being bullied, but you should look out for:
• belongings getting ‘lost’ or damaged
• physical injuries such as unexplained bruises
• being afraid to go to school, being mysteriously 'ill' each morning, or skipping school • not doing as well at school
• asking for, or stealing, money (to give to a bully)
• being nervous, losing confidence or becoming distressed and withdrawn
• problems with eating or sleeping
• bullying others.

Child trafficking - what is child trafficking?
Child trafficking is child abuse. It involves recruiting and moving children who are then exploited. Many children are trafficked into the UK from overseas, but children can also be trafficked from one part of the UK to another.
Children may be trafficked for:
• child sexual exploitation
• benefit fraud
• forced marriage
• domestic servitude such as cleaning, childcare, cooking
• forced labour in factories or agriculture
• criminal exploitation such as cannabis cultivation, pickpocketing, begging, transporting, drugs, selling pirated DVDs and bag theft.

Children who are trafficked experience many forms of abuse and neglect. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse is often used to control them, and they are also likely to suffer physical and emotional neglect.

Child trafficking can require a network of organised criminals who recruit, transport, and exploit children and young people. Some people in the network might not be directly involved in trafficking a child but play a part in other ways, such as falsifying documents, bribery, owning or renting premises or money laundering (Europol, 2011).

Child trafficking can also be organised by individuals and the children’s own families. Traffickers trick, force or persuade children to leave their homes. They use grooming techniques to gain the trust of a child, family, or community. Although these are methods used by traffickers, coercion, violence, or threats do not need to be proven in cases of child trafficking - a child cannot legally consent to their exploitation, so child trafficking only requires evidence of movement and exploitation.

Modern slavery is another term which may be used concerning child trafficking. Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking (HM Government, 2014). The Modern Slavery Act passed in 2015 in England and Wales categorises offences of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.

Spotting the signs of child trafficking
Signs that a child has been trafficked may not be obvious, but you might notice unusual behaviour or events.

Children who have been trafficked may:
• must do excessive housework chores
• rarely leave the house and have limited freedom of movement
• not have any documents (or have falsified documents)
• give a prepared story which is like stories given by other children
• be unable or reluctant to give details of accommodation or personal details
• not be registered with a school or a GP practice
• have a history with missing links and unexplained moves
• be cared for by adults who are not their parents or carers
• not have a good quality relationship with their adult carers
• be one among several unrelated children found at one address
• receive unexplained or unidentified phone calls whilst in a care placement or temporary accommodation.
There are also signs that an adult participates in child trafficking, such as:
• making multiple visa applications for different children
• acting as a guarantor for multiple visa applications for children
• having previously functioned as the guarantor on visa applications for visitors who have not left the UK when the visa expired.

Female genital mutilation

What is female genital mutilation?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is also known as female circumcision or cutting. The age at which FGM is conducted varies. It may be conducted when a child is new-born, during childhood or adolescence, just before marriage or during pregnancy (Home Office et al, 2016). FGM is child abuse. There are no medical reasons to conduct FGM. It is dangerous and a criminal offence.

Spotting the signs of female genital mutilation
A child at risk of FGM may not know what is going to happen. But they might talk about, or you may become aware of:
• a long holiday abroad or going 'home' to visit family
• relative or cutter visiting from abroad
• a special occasion or ceremony to 'become a woman' or get ready for marriage
• a female relative being cut – a sister, cousin or an older female relative such as a mother or aunt
• missing school repeatedly or running away from home.
A child who has had FGM may:
• have difficulty walking, standing, or sitting
• spend longer in the bathroom or toilet
• appear withdrawn, anxious, or depressed
• have unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college
• be particularly reluctant to undergo normal medical examinations
• ask for help but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear.

Reporting requirements
Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales must report ‘known’ cases of FGM in under-18s to the police (Home Office, 2016).

We seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to, and respecting them
• appointing a nominated child protection lead known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead –Benjamin Rosser, Chief Executive Officer at The Pythian Club C.I.C.
• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practices through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• as a matter of ‘good practice’ our staff undertake Contextual Safeguarding every year
• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures – which are ‘working documents’ so that as legislation changes or amends, as an organisation we can adhere to these and implement these at our earliest convenience
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through monthly line management, three monthly ‘Continued Professional Development Reviews’, training, quality assurance measures and general support. This ensures all staff and volunteers are up to date with changes within our policies, procedures, and behaviour codes so staff are enabled too confidently and competently
• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary Child, Youth Workforce Barring List – Disclosure Barring Service checks are undertaken at the point of engagement with the Club and all staff and volunteers are advised to sign up for the Update Service.
• recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/organisations
• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
• making sure that children, young people, and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately
• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff, and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures following the law and regulatory guidance
• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people, and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Disclosures and concerns about a child or young person: Enabling reports
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will ensure that safe, appropriate, accessible means of reporting safeguarding concerns are made available to staff and the communities we work with.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will also accept complaints from external sources such as members of the public, partners, and official bodies.

How to report a safeguarding concern
Staff members who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or their line manager.

If the staff member does not feel comfortable reporting to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or line manager (for example if they feel that the report will not be taken seriously, or if that person is implicated in the concern), they may report to any other Senior Management staff member. For example, this could be the HR Manager.

Where appropriate the child or young person making the disclosure is to be informed of:
“Anything that is discussed with or talked with a member of staff remains confidential and private unless the discussion raises concerns about actual or potential, or threat of abuse or harm, directly to that individual, a sibling, or other family member. Matters such as this must be shared with Designated Safeguarding Lead who will explain what will happen next. As a child or young person making such a disclosure will be kept informed as to what is happening with the information and wherever possible involved with the decision-making process”

Response
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will follow up safeguarding reports and concerns according to policy and procedure, and legal and statutory obligations.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will apply appropriate disciplinary measures to staff found in breach of policy.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will offer support to survivors of harm caused by staff or associated personnel, regardless of whether a formal internal response is conducted (such as an internal investigation). Decisions regarding support will be led by the survivor.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality must be maintained at all stages of the process when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Information relating to the concern and subsequent case management should be shared on a need-to-know basis only and should be always kept secure.

Contact details

Designated Safeguarding Lead
Benjamin Rosser
07731 350627

benjamin@thepythianclub.co.uk

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000


Last Updated: 11/02/2024

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility:
Safeguarding vulnerable adults is a part of the wider role of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect specific vulnerable adults who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm. As adults and/or professionals or volunteers, everyone has a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults and promote their welfare.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults – and protecting them from significant harm - depends upon effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise.
Some of the most vulnerable adults and those at greatest risk of social exclusion, will need co-ordinated help from health, education, social care, and quite possibly the voluntary sector and other agencies, including justice services.
For those vulnerable adults who are suffering, or at risk of suffering significant harm, joint working is essential, to safeguard and promote their welfare and – where necessary – to help bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against them. All agencies and professionals should:
• be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect.
• be alert to the risks which individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose to vulnerable adults.
• share and help to analyse information so that an assessment can be made of the individual's needs and circumstances.
• contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard and promote the individual's welfare.
• take part in regularly reviewing the outcomes for the individual against specific plans; and
• work co-operatively with parents and/or other carers unless this is inconsistent with ensuring the individual's safety.

As one of its major activities, The Pythian Club C.I.C. seeks to serve the needs of vulnerable adults, promoting holistic development.
In doing so The Pythian Club C.I.C. takes seriously the welfare of all vulnerable adults who come onto its premises or who are involved in its activities.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. aims to ensure that they are welcomed into a safe, caring environment with a happy and friendly atmosphere.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. recognises that it is the responsibility of each one of its staff, paid and unpaid, to prevent the neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of vulnerable adults and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. recognises its responsibility to implement, maintain and regularly review procedures, which are designed to prevent and to be alert to such abuse.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. is committed to supporting, resourcing, and training those who work with vulnerable adults and to providing supervision.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. is committed to maintaining good links with the statutory social services authorities.

Procedures
For reasons of consistency and practicality, The Pythian Club C.I.C.'s procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults will be the same as those for safeguarding children and young people (qv) except where the law, or the specific circumstances of an individual's need require otherwise.

Enabling reports
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will ensure that safe, appropriate, accessible means of reporting safeguarding concerns are made available to staff and the communities we work with.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. will also accept complaints from external sources such as members of the public, partners, and official bodies.

How to report a safeguarding concern
Staff members who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or line manager. If the staff member does not feel comfortable reporting to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or line manager (for example if they feel that the report will not be taken seriously, or if that person is implicated in the concern) they may report to any other appropriate staff member. For example, this could be a line manager or a member of Senior Management.

Response
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will follow up on safeguarding reports and concerns according to policy and procedure, and legal and statutory obligations.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will apply appropriate disciplinary measures to staff found in breach of policy.
The Pythian Club C.I.C. will offer support to survivors of harm caused by staff or associated personnel, regardless of whether a formal internal response is carried out (such as an internal investigation). Decisions regarding support will be led by the survivor.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality must be maintained at all stages of the process when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Information relating to the concern and subsequent case management should be shared on a need-to-know basis only and should be always kept secure.

Contact details
Nominated: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Benjamin Rosser

07731 350627

benjamin@thepythianclub.co.uk

Last updated:

11 February 2023

The following Child Safeguarding Social Media Policy has been adopted by The Pythian Club CIC 01/09/2021.

THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Child Safeguarding Social Media Policy

Good Practice Guidance on the use of Social Networking Sites and social media by THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Staff, Volunteers, Team Members and Parents

Introduction
This guidance has been based upon “Social networking services, social media and sport:
Guidelines for safeguarding children and young people” developed by the NSPCC Child
Protection in Sport Unit commissioned by Sport England. 2010. The THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Child Safeguarding Group conducted a consultation with young people and their parents about social media and its use and has developed this guidance because of those discussions. However, there are risks associated with the development of social media. The sports world has identified several issues that have led to both disciplinary and safeguarding concerns.

Interactive social media technology has revolutionised the way that people connect and interact. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, instant messaging, photo, and video exchange sites are increasingly popular and provide an opportunity for the sporting world to connect with children and young people. YouTube and Google provide a platform for uploading and viewing video clips, which with mobile phones can be almost instantaneous.

The purpose of this guidance is to provide information, advice, and guidance on the use of social networking for THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC staff, volunteers, team members and parents to enable them to understand.

the potential safeguarding risks of social media to provide good practise guidelines for the safe use of social media

This guidance is an appendix of the THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Child Safeguarding policy and is managed by the Child Safeguarding officer of the THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC.

Potential Safeguarding risks
With all emerging technology there is also potential for abuse. Risks associated with user interactive services include:

* cyberbullying. There is extensive advice and support material on the issue of cyberbullying on the NSPCC website here
* grooming and potential abuse by online predators.
* exposure to inappropriate content including racist & self-hate content as well as pornography.
* privacy issues associated with posting personal information that can identify and locate a child.
* privacy issues associated with adults posing as young people and using social media to contact other young people; and
* inappropriate contact with a young person by a trusted adult.

However, there are other areas where young people themselves can unwittingly expose themselves to issues which, whilst not child safeguarding, could have a lasting impact upon their lives. In all communications online, it is becoming clear that the loss of privacy can have a detrimental effect on a person or young person in a way that was not initially intended.
Issues have arisen in the world of sport. For example, where young people, or their parents, in unguarded moments have posted comments that have caused media storms. Or where sponsors have looked at a young person’s Facebook or Twitter page and have made decisions about offering or refusing sponsorship based on content they have seen.

As a result of this the THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC has developed policies that seek to safeguard young people and staff and volunteers working with them.

Contacting young people
It is fundamental that staff and volunteers remember that whatever social media they use to contact young people that they continue to behave appropriately. Do not place young people or yourself at risk.
Following discussions with the Youth Co-ordinators, THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC team leaders, young people on the PYTHIAN CLUB CIC sessions team and their parents, the following procedure was agreed upon.

1. When any child becomes involved with the PYTHIAN CLUB CIC sessions events/ teams an initial agreement should be signed by the parents and young person that they agree to:
their child being contacted by THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC staff or volunteers by what method e.g., letter, text, phone, email, Facebook, Teamer that copies of correspondence, texts, emails are sent to both the young person and their parent.

This form is available by contacting The Pythian Club by clicking here

2. Most correspondence should be sent to the child and parents in hard copy so that it is available for reference e.g., details of events, training events, arrangements for team travel, meeting times etc.

3. It is accepted that alterations in arrangements may need to occur often at short notice. Mobile communication, telephoning, texting, and email are all part of this, and staff and volunteers can use these methods if it has been agreed by parents and they are copied into these communications.

4. Reminders to young people through text messaging is very much part of how young people currently communicate and is a quick way of ensuring that training, events, or very short notice alterations are received by young people. Again, these can be used, if prior permission has been previously agreed and parents are copied into the messages.

5. Facebook is currently seen as the way young people can be contacted easily and quickly. However, this type of media can pose problems for staff and volunteers using their own sites as personal information can be unwittingly shared. Young people and volunteers did not want to see this means of communication barred. However, this method can comprise the boundaries between the personal life of staff and volunteers and those of young people and any use of it must be carefully thought out.

* THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC policy is that staff must not use their own Facebook page and must not become a friend of any young person who they are in a position of trust for or who they coach.

* No young people can be contacted by Facebook below the minimum age of use for the service. This is currently 13 years of age.

To deal with young people’s requests to use the Facebook service, a special THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Facebook page will be opened for team members, their parents, the team managers, and coaches. This will be a secure page and monitored for content by the staff members. Postings will be monitored, and any unacceptable content will be reported to THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Child Safeguarding Officer and appropriate actions are taken promptly.

The appropriate use of THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC Facebook page and all social media sites

Even with a controlled site there are difficulties and information needs to be considered and appropriate. It must be remembered that:

* You should always think before you post.

* The information displayed should follow normal conventions of safe behaviour. There should be no postings that will compromise staff or volunteers’ own personal information boundaries and relationships.

* Always remember that anything you say including photos, pictures and video clips posted on sites may be shared with and saved by people other than those for whom it was intended.

* Once information is posted online individuals have little control over it and it could go well beyond the original purpose.

* Never post or send any photographs, videos or make comments that may be intimate, private, hurtful, untrue, and upsetting or that you may regret posting later.

* There should be no images of young people on the site without prior permission. If you do want to upload such a picture you must get advice and the consent of your parent, the other young person, their parent and the team or event manager before even considering uploading such a photograph.

These good practice guidelines are also incorporated within the team contracts and parental contracts.

Data protection considerations

THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC should take care when advertising sporting events and competitions online when you are collecting personal information about young people and children. The requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 will be followed.

THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC should consider the child safeguarding issues in relation to the use of social media sites in relation to the wider organisation, particularly their service provider and whether IT staff have appropriate DBS checks.

Reporting problems

THE PYTHIAN CLUB CIC staff or volunteers, who become aware of problems or who have any concerns about child safeguarding and social networking issue with colleagues or young people should follow the normal procedure for reporting child safeguarding concerns.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. works with children, young people, and families as part of its activities.
These include:
• Sports activities
• Mentoring
• Outreach
• Community Development

The purpose of this policy statement is:
• to prevent bullying from happening between children and young people who are a part of our organisation or take part in our activities
• to ensure bullying is stopped as soon as possible if it does happen and that those involved receive the support they require
• to provide information to all staff, volunteers, children, and their families about what we should all do to prevent and deal with bullying.
This policy statement applies to anyone working for or representing The Pythian Club C.I.C., including senior managers, paid staff, volunteers, subcontracted workers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.
Separate documents set out:
• our code of behaviour for children, young people, and adults
• our policies and procedures for preventing and responding to bullying and harassment that takes place between adults involved with our organisation.
See our information about behaviour management and codes of conduct

What is bullying?
Bullying includes a range of abusive behaviour that is
• repeated
• intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally.

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in the UK. NSPCC Learning provides summaries of the key legislation and guidance on:
• bullying and cyberbullying
• online abuse
• child protection in each nation of the UK.

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 operate in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:
• bullying causes real distress and affects a person’s health and development
• in some instances, bullying can cause significant harm
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• everyone has a role to play in preventing all forms of bullying (including online) and putting a stop to bullying.

We will seek to prevent bullying by:
• developing a code of behaviour that sets out how everyone involved in our organisation is expected to behave, in face-to-face contact and online, and within and outside of our activities.
• holding regular discussions with staff, volunteers, children, young people, and families who use our organisation about bullying and how to prevent it.
• providing support and training for all staff and volunteers on dealing with all forms of bullying, including racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and sexual bullying.
• putting clear and robust anti-bullying procedures in place.

Our regular discussions with staff, volunteers, children, young people, and families will focus on:
• responsibilities to look after one another and uphold the behaviour code
• practising skills such as listening to each other
• respecting the fact that we are all different
• helping ensure that no one is without friends
• dealing with problems in a positive way
• checking that our anti-bullying measures are working well.

Responding to bullying:
We will ensure our response to incidents of bullying considers:
• the needs of the person being bullied
• the needs of the person displaying bullying behaviour
• needs of any bystanders
• our organisation.
We will review the plan we have developed to address any incidents of bullying at regular intervals, to ensure that the problem has been resolved in the long term.

More information about responding effectively to bullying is available: protecting children from bullying and cyberbullying recognising and responding to abuse, diversity and inclusion.

We recognise that bullying is closely related to how we respect and recognise the value of diversity.

We will be proactive about:
• seeking opportunities to learn about and celebrate differences
• increasing diversity within our staff, volunteers, children, and young people
• welcoming new members to our organisation.

Related policies and procedures.
This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures including:
• Safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures
• Managing allegations made against a child or young person
• Managing allegations of abuse made against staff and volunteers
• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• Online safety policy and procedures for responding to concerns about online abuse
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion policies

Contact details
Nominated Anti-Bullying Lead
Benjamin Rosser, CEO
07731 350627

benjamin@thepythianclub.co.uk

Last Updated:

11 February 2024

Introduction

The Pythian Club C.I.C. seeks to be a catalyst for positive social change. It works through project development and support to meet individual and community needs.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. is committed to equal opportunities and sees this as part of empowerment in the organisation and in the local communities it serves.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. recognises that it is essential to provide equal opportunities to all persons without discrimination.

This policy sets out the organisation's position on equal opportunities in all aspects. The Pythian Club C.I.C. is committed to equal opportunities policy and practice and will ensure that all employees and service users, both actual and potential, are treated equally as individuals, regardless of age, disability, origin, gender, marital or parental status, political belief, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

In implementing this policy, The Pythian Club C.I.C. will take account of the following legislation:
· Equal Pay Act 1970
· Sex Discrimination Act 1975
· Race Relations Act 1976
· Disability Discrimination Act 1995
· Human Rights Act 1998
· Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
· Civil Partnership Act 2004
· Disability Discrimination Act 2005
· Equality Act 2006
· Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
· Equal Pay Act (EPA) 1970 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
· Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
· Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
· Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005
· Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006

These equal opportunities policy will be implemented across all aspects of the organisation’s work, including:
· The appointment of members to its committee.
· The appointment of staff and their conditions of service
· All dealings with the public and service users

Staffing/Volunteering

The Pythian Club C.I.C. will ensure that no job applicant, employee, or volunteer receives less favourable treatment than another on grounds of age, disability, ethnic origin, marital or parental status, political belief, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. is committed to undertaking open recruitment and selection procedures and, wherever possible, all vacancies will be advertised and fair.

All staff working with the organisation will be informed of the equal opportunities policy and receive training on equal opportunities as appropriate.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. will also ensure that the changing and developing needs of staff and volunteers are recognised and appropriate adjustments made to working conditions and/or training provided.

The Pythian Club C.I.C. has established grievance, and complaints procedures, which will be communicated to all staff members. Behaviour or actions against the spirit and/or letter of the equal opportunity laws, on which this policy is based, will be considered serious disciplinary matters.

Public and Service Users

The Pythian Club C.I.C. aims to make its services accessible to as wide a range of the public as possible and to achieve this will take steps to remove barriers which prevent potential audiences, participants, members, and users from having equal access to the organisation’s activities.

This will include:
· Ensuring that activities take place in venues and premises which are accessible to disabled people,
· Providing facilities for disabled people to enable them to participate fully in activities e.g., induction loop, interpreters.
· Encouraging and enabling people from underrepresented groups to attend and participate

Monitoring and Review

The Policy will be constantly reviewed by senior management to ensure that no member of the group is put to a disadvantage either, directly or indirectly. This monitoring will apply to the practices of staff and volunteers, the member organisation, the composition of the Committees and the provision of services.
It is the responsibility of every individual to eliminate discrimination and to ensure the practical application of this Policy.

The senior manager of The Pythian Club C.I.C. will review this policy every two years.

Last Updated:

11 February 2024