UCS Active is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children in our care are protected from abuse and harm.

UCS Active will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur. UCS Active child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation and with guidance issued by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

UCS Active Designated Safeguard lead (DSL) is Anna Ricciardiello. The DSL coordinates child protection issues and liaises with external agencies.

Safeguarding covers a broad agenda and aims to achieve the following:

• protecting children and vulnerable adults from maltreatment;
•  preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
• ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of  safe and effective care;
•  undertaking that role so as to enable children to have optimum life chances so they can enter adulthood successfully.

Safeguarding is a preventative agenda that helps children to achieve their full potential regardless of negative factors such as poverty or social exclusion by providing services and support to overcome barriers to achievement.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding agenda that focuses on preventing maltreatment and protecting children at risk of neglect or abuse. Under the Children Act 1989, Children’s Safeguarding and Social Work [CSSW] have a legal duty to investigate and take any action to protect children where there are concerns that they are at risk of suffering significant harm, which is defined as:

Neglect: failure to provide basic care to meet the child’s physical needs, such as not providing adequate food, clothing or shelter; failure to protect the child from harm or ensure access to medical care and treatment.

Physical abuse: causing physical harm or injury to a child.

Sexual abuse: involving children in sexual activity, or forcing them to witness sexual activity, which includes involving children in looking at or the production of pornography.

Emotional abuse: failure to provide love and warmth that affects the child’s emotional development; psychological ill treatment of a child through bullying, intimidation or threats.

If abuse is suspected or disclosed

When a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff will:

• Reassure the child that they were not to blame and were right to speak out
• Listen to the child but not question them
• Give reassurance that the staff member will take action
• Record the incident as soon as possible (see Logging an incident below).

If a member of staff witnesses or suspects abuse, they will record the incident straightaway. If a third party expresses concern that a child is being abused, we will encourage them to contact Social Care directly. If they will not do so, we will explain that UCS Active is obliged to and the incident will be logged accordingly.

Logging an incident

All information about the suspected abuse or disclosure will be recorded on the Logging a concern form as soon as possible after the event. The record should include:

• Date of the disclosure or of the incident causing concern
• Date and time at which the record was made
• Name and date of birth of the child involved
• A factual report of what happened. If recording a disclosure, you must use the child’s own words.
• Name, signature and job title of the person making the record.

The record will be given to the DSL of UCS Active who will decide whether they need to contact Social Care or make a referral. All referrals to Social Care will be followed up in writing within 48 hours. If a member of staff thinks that the incident has not been dealt with properly, they may contact Social Care directly.

Allegations against staff

If anyone makes an allegation of child abuse against a member of staff:

• The allegation will be recorded on an Incident record form. Any witnesses to the incident should sign and date the entry to confirm it.
• The allegation must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The LADO will advise if other agencies (eg police) should be informed, and UCS Active will act upon their advice. Any telephone reports to the LADO will be followed up in writing within 48 hours.
• Following advice from the LADO, it may be necessary to suspend the member of staff pending full investigation of the allegation.
• If appropriate UCS Active will make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Promoting awareness among staff

UCS Active promotes awareness of child abuse issues through its staff training. UCS Active ensures that:

• Its DSL has relevant experience and receives appropriate training
• Safe recruitment practices are followed for all new staff
• All staff have a copy of this Safeguarding Children policy, understand its contents and are vigilant to signs of abuse or neglect
• All staff are aware of their statutory requirements with regard to the disclosure or discovery of child abuse
• Staff are familiar with the latest Keeping children safe in education document dated September 2019.
• Its procedures are in line with the guidance in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013)’ and that staff are familiar with the ‘What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused’ flowchart.

Codes of Conduct

All members of staff, volunteers and members agree to:

• Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk at all times
• Treat all children and adults at risk fairly and with respect
• Be a positive role model. Act with integrity, even when no one is looking
• Help to create a safe and inclusive environment
• Not allow any rough or dangerous behaviour, bullying or the use of bad or inappropriate language
• Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice to the UCS Active DSL.
• Not use any sanctions that humiliate or harm a child or adult at risk
• Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
• Keep clear boundaries between professional and personal life, including on social media
• Have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or using photos and videos
• Refrain from making physical contact with children or adults unless it is necessary as part of an emergency or congratulatory (e.g. handshake / high five)
• Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol whilst on premises
• Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined and everyone has the required information and training
• Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk unless there are exceptional circumstances

• Refrain from transporting children or adults at risk, unless this is required as part of a club activity (e.g. away match) and there is another adult in the vehicle
• Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as such
• Not have a relationship with anyone under 18 for whom they are responsible for
• Be acutely aware of the power that coaches and coaching assistants develop over players in the coaching relationship and avoid any intimacy (sexual or otherwise) with players

Allegations may arise following a complaint from a parent or pupil or through concerns raised by other staff members. Allegations may be made directly to UCS Active, or to the police who will then inform UCS Active. Anyone dealing with allegations at the outset must report all concerns to the DSL; where the Designated Safeguarding Lead is the subject of an allegation, this will be reported to the Commercial Director; where the Commercial Director is the subject of an allegation, this will be reported, without the Commercial Director being informed, to the Director of Finance and Operations, who will immediately inform Camden’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Camden’s LADO is: Helen Stakker
Quality Assurance Unit
Family Services and Social Work
Crowndale Centre 218
Eversholt Street
London NW1 1BD

Tel: 020 7974 6999

Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead The role of the DSL and his deputies is to take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the UCS Active and to be available during school hours for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns. The UCS Active DSL is available on 020 7433 2127 during school hours. The school will ensure that a senior member of staff is appointed to the role of DSL to take lead responsibility for child protection issues, and that another member of staff is appointed to deputise in their absence. The UCS Active DSL will undergo training every three years as well as attending relevant conferences and refresher courses.