Safeguarding Policy

Version 2.0

Approved by committee September 2026

Next review due March 2027

Introduction

Bowmen of Darenteford operate under Archery GB (trading name of the Grand National Archery Society) and agrees to adopt their policies.

Archery GB Policies can be found on their website:

• Disciplinary policies and appeal procedures
• Safeguarding policies and guides
• Equality diversity and inclusivity

This Safeguarding Policy shows how Bowmen of Darenteford intends to follow Archery GB's Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Guidance in line with their Lower Level Concerns Policy at a club level. In the event of uncertainty or conflict in policy, Bowmen of Darenteford will refer to and give priority to Archery GB's Policies or Guidance and if required seek further advice from Archery GB.

Bowmen of Darenteford is fully committed to supporting all children, young people and adults to achieve their potential in archery and to providing information to educate people about best practice. We understand that providing a positive environment where children, young people and adults are protected from harm is vital for making sure we give them the best possible outcomes. Protecting the well-being of all needs to be a priority for everyone involved in archery.

Definition of a child or young person

A child or young person as defined in this policy is a person under the age of 18. While Archery GB has no minimum age for a child joining the sport as a Club the minimum age to join Bowmen of Darenteford is 8 years old. However, before joining Bowmen of Darenteford, a risk assessment should be caried out to ensure the child or young person can fully understand instructions to ensure safety rules are adhered to. As a club Bowmen of Darenteford also require that all those under the age of 18 have either a parent or someone over the age of 18 with guardianship authority accompanying them at all times.

Safety of all participants should not be compromised.

Definition of an adult at risk

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who:

• Has care and support needs (whether or not those needs are being met), and because of those needs, cannot protect themselves against abuse or neglect.

(In recent years there has been a definite shift away from using the term "vulnerable" to describe adults potentially at risk from harm or abuse.)

Purpose of the poilicy

Everyone involved in archery through Bowmen of Darenteford in a paid or voluntary capacity, including contractors and commissioned service providers must abide by the club and Archery GB's Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy, Procedures, Code of Conduct and guidance relating to young people including:

• The recruitment of persons working with young people and the use of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), AccessNI, and Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks in recruitment and employment.
• Anti-bullying
• Taking and the use of photographic and recorded images
• Communication with and supervision of young people
• Online and social media guidance
• Planning events, competitions, tours

This policy has been produced to promote the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults to protect them from harm. It builds on learning from both within archery, the wider sports community and from other sectors. It sets out the commitments made by Bowmen of Darenteford and what everyone involved in archery should do to play their part in promoting the positive aspects of the sport. Bowmen of Darenteford works collaboratively with Archery GB to ensure that we safeguard at every level.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone within Bowmen of Darenteford, this includes the committee, club members and volunteers.

For safeguards to be effective across the sport we recognise the need for proactive leadership from the Bowmen of Darenteford Committee.

Responsibilities

Everyone involved in archery in a paid or voluntary capacity, must abide by Bowmen of Darenteford's Safeguarding Policy and Archery GB's Policies, Procedures, Code of Conduct and guidance relating to young people. This includes contractors and commissioned service providers.

Bowmen of Darenteford understands that as an Archery GB affiliated club it must:

• Understand safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
• Abide by and disseminate Archery GB's safeguarding policies, procedures, and guidance
• Abide by and disseminate Archery GB's code of conduct
• Abide by and disseminate Archery GB's Photography and Filming Children and Young People Policy
• Ensure the Club Welfare Officer has completed specialist training and vettng checks. This specialist role must be known to all members and Archery GB
• Follow Archery GB's Safer Recruitment Policy including vettng checks for all those in regulated activity. Refer to Archery GB's safeguarding policies and vetting check web pages
• Ensure safeguarding training is updated every 3 years by those working in regulated activity
• Follow Archery GB's Safeguarding Reporting Procedures where there are concerns relating to the safety of young people. Refer to our Report a Concern web page

If you are concerned about a child, young person or vulnerable adult's safety or welfare, please speak with the Club Welfare Officer or Deputy Welfare Officer as soon as possible. They will follow the Archery GB Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy which can be found at Safeguarding Policites and Guides.

Club Welfare Officer

Daniel Sims

[email protected]

Club Deputy Welfare Officer

Kelsey Orr

[email protected]

If you are concerned about a child, young person or vulnerable adult's safety or welfare, but unable to contact a Club Welfare Officer you can also contact:

Kent Archery Association

Child Protection Officer

Anita Baily

[email protected]

Archery GB Safeguarding Team

National Lead Safeguarding Officer

Anne Rook

tel: 01952 602792

Safeguarding and Governances Officer

Karen Hodgkiss

tel: 01952 602793

[email protected]

If you think that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected outside of the club environment, you should report your concerns immediately to Kent County Council at one of the following:

Kent County Council

If the young person lives within a different Local Authority, then the concern is to be reported to that Local Authority's Children's Social Care Department.

If you are seriously concerned about a child, young person or vulnerable adult's immediate safety, always dial 999 and report your concerns to the Police.

Please remember that all club members have a safeguarding responsibility and to report anything that they may witness to the Club's Welfare Officers.

For further advice for adults concerned about children and young people, the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) provides a free 24-hour service on 0808 800 5000. For children and young people seeking advice, ChildLine provide a service on 0800 1111.

Do not delay in reporting a concern!

Legal requirement and government guidance

In order to safeguard and protect young people in our sport, Bowmen of Darenteford will act in accordance with the following legislation and guidance as advised by Archery GB:

• The Children's Act 2004 (England and Wales)
• The Children and Young People Act 2014 (Scotland)
• The Children (NI) Order 1995 (Northern Ireland) enshrines the key principle that the welfare of children is paramount
• Equality Act 2010 Protects children and young people from discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
• Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides the right for all children to be safe from violence
• The framework for safeguarding children in England is set out in the statutory Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (HM Government).
• Care Act 2014
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012
• Equality Act 2010
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Data Protection Act 2018

The guidance applies explicitly to sports organisations and to anyone working within these organisations whether paid or a volunteer. It also highlights that both UK Sport and Sport England make it a condition of funding that National Sports Governing Bodies implement standards for safeguarding children in sport, developed in partnership with the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU). Archery GB is assessed yearly by the CPSU to ensure the standards are being met.

Policy objectives and Bowmen of Darenteford's role

For clarity, a young person is defined as meaning a person under the age of 18. Where reference is made to parents, this includes carers and guardians. Bowmen of Darenteford acknowledges the Duty of Care to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people in the sport of archery.

Bowmen of Darenteford's policy objectives:

Promote

We will publicise and promote within the club our and Archery GB's Safeguarding and Protecting Policy, Reporting Procedures, Good Practice Guidance and Code of Conduct.

Support

We will provide access to appropriate advice and support through Bowmen of Darenteford Club Welfare Officers and Archery GB Staff in the Welfare and Safeguarding Team and ensuring that concerns relating to the safety and welfare of young people in archery are taken seriously and acted upon swiftly and appropriately. Archery GB's Reporting Procedures.

Collaborate

We recognise the roles, responsibilities, and expertise of the statutory agencies in safeguarding young people, and work with these agencies when determining whether young people have, or may have been harmed, or abused or are at risk of harm.

Action

We will directly challenge conduct within Bowmen of Darenteford that is or may be harmful to young people. We may, therefore, instigate proceedings under our Disciplinary Policy and Procedures where concerns or complaints are raised (by sources internal or external through Archery GB)

Recruitment

We will encourage and support everyone to recognise and regard as essential the effective and safe recruitment of all individuals working with young people to prevent the employment/ deployment of unsuitable individuals

Responsibilities

We will ensure everyone understands their responsibilities by implementing the policy and procedures, and report concerns relating to the welfare of a young person.

Learning

We will signpost appropriate learning and training opportunities to recognise, identity and respond to child safeguarding concerns.

Accountability

Archery GB's safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct are mandatory for everyone involved in Archery GB. Failure to comply will be addressed without delay through the organisation's Disciplinary Policy and Procedures.

Montioring

This policy and other relevant safeguarding procedures and guidance will be reviewed every year or:

1. when there are changes in government legislation and guidance
2. as required by local safeguarding partnership, UK Sport or home country sports councils
3. as a result of any significant change or event.

Role of Bowmen of Darenteford's Welfare Officers

Our Club Welfare Officer and Deputy Club Welfare Officer are key roles in managing, developing and establishing Bowmen of Darenteford's approach to safeguarding which is managed by Archery GB.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Club Welfare Officers are:

• Working with others within Bowmen of Darenteford to create a positive, childcentred environment within our sport
• Providing guidance and support to Bowmen of Darenteford Club Member's and volunteers on safeguarding matters
• Dealing with reports of concerns about young people
• Managing referrals to children's social-care services, police and local authority designated officer (LADO)
• Managing referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service
• Central point of contact for internal and external individuals and agencies
• Representing Bowmen of Darenteford at external meetings related to safeguarding
• Co-ordinating reviews and dissemination of Archery GB's policies, procedures and guidance
• Providing advice on Bowmen of Darenteford's Safeguarding training needs and the development of its training strategy
• Playing a lead role in maintaining and reviewing Bowmen of Darenteford's safeguarding policy
• Ensuring safeguarding standards are met, maintained and reviewed on a yearly basis to be kept up to date
• Keeping own knowledge and skills up-to-date

General principles

The following general principles regarding safeguarding and protecting young people should be applied by everyone within Bowmen of Darenteford:

• The safety and welfare of children and young people is paramount.
• The views and opinions of young people are sought, considered, and integrated into all aspects of archery.
• All young people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race (including ethnic origin, nationality and colour), religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation have the right to be protected from harm.
• It is recognised that some young people have additional vulnerability, which may be due to disability, language, sexual orientation, culture or the fact that they perform in an elite environment. It is therefore important to raise awareness of additional risks and address particular needs, as required - refer to Good Practice.
• The rights, dignity and worth of all young people should always be respected.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, but the child protection experts would determine whether or not abuse has taken place. However, everyone should report their concerns.
• Statutory agencies have a role in safeguarding young people and information should be shared with them as appropriate.
• This policy is only effective when archery works in partnership to support the implementation, monitor and evaluate its progress.
• The policy, procedures, code of conduct and good practice relating to the safeguarding and protecting of young people need to be:
  1. applied in relation to activities for young people
  2. applied where young people may be involved in working with adults e.g. when judges and coaches under 18 years of age work alongside adults

Additional Guidance

All Archery GB affiliated clubs and associations must:

1. Adopt, implement, actively promote, and monitor Archery GB's Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy, reporting procedures, good practice guidance and Code of Conduct.
2. Follow Archery GB's guidance on recruitment to roles that involve working with young people, including the use of DBS, PVG and Access NI checks to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. Refer to our safer recruitment policy available from the safeguarding policies and guides web pages.
3. Provide appropriate learning opportunities to all those who work with young people in archery
4. Actively disseminate this information to their members.
5. Where appropriate take action to deal with minor issues or concerns at a local level, including challenging poor practice in relation to safeguarding of young people.
6. Seek advice from Archery GB when dealing with issues or concerns that are more complex than first perceived.
7. Follow Archery GB reporting procedures where there are concerns relating to the safety or welfare of young people.

Additional Inforamtion

Archery GB policies, regulations and guidance can be found at safeguarding and governance.

• Safeguarding Reporting Procedures
• Disciplinary Policy and Procedures
• Safe Recruitment and Selection Procedures
• Online Safety and Social Media Policy
• Text and Email Messaging Guidance
• Good Practice Guidance
• Away Trips and Hosting Guidance
• Code of Conduct
• Anti-Bullying Guidance
• Protecting Children from Grooming Guidance
• Photography and Filming Children and Young People in Sport
• Low Level Concerns Policy and Procedures

Statutory agencies

There are a number of agencies that have a statutory role to play in the safeguarding and protection of children, these include:

England and Wales - Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)

An agency with statutory power under the Children Act 2004. LSCB's are the key statutory mechanism for agreeing how the relevant organisations in each local area will cooperate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the locality.

Police

The police uphold the law, prevent crime and disorder and protect citizens.