Springbank Riding School (centre) fully accepts its legal and moral obligation under The Children Acts (1989) and (2004)*, to provide a duty of care to protect all children and safeguard their welfare, irrespective of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation and socio-economic background.
A child/young person is defined as a person under the age of 18 (the Children Act 1989).
Springbank Riding School (centre) fully adopts the BHS Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
*Nation-specific safeguarding legislation and guidance is also adhered to - please see out document 'Legislation and Guidance 2022 'on www.bhs.org.uk/safeguardingchildren
The aims of the Springbank Riding School (centre) Safeguarding Policy are:
• To ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation to provide children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst at Springbank Riding School (centre), allowing them to participate in a fun, safe environment and in an atmosphere of fair play.
• To take all reasonable, practical steps to protect children and young people from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and respect their rights, wishes and feelings.
• To establish a culture where concerns are identified early and reported in accordance with this policy.
• To ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and are provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people.
• To ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern. All concerns or allegations of poor practice or abuse are taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• To ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
• To maintain high standards of behaviours and good practice through compliance with the BHS coach code of conduct and the BHS codes of conduct for parents/guardians, junior members and volunteers.
The policy and procedures are mandatory for everyone involved with Springbank Riding School (centre). Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the Springbank Riding School (centre). The policy will be reviewed every three years, or in the following circumstances:
• Changes in legislation and/or government guidance
• As required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, BHS and the BEF
• As a result of any other significant change or event
Each Approved Centre, has direct safeguarding responsibility for:
• Staff, consultants, coaches and officials they employ.
• Volunteers of the affiliated organisation.
• Venues they own.
• Events and programmes they run; and
Ensuring all accreditation requirements are met by accredited coaches, employees, officials and venues.
Springbank Riding School (Centre) will:
• Implement a Safeguarding Policy that upholds the principles of the BHS Policy. Where there is any conflict arising between the BHS and affiliated organisations policies, decision-making should be based on the core values set out above, with the safety and welfare of children, young people as the overriding principle.
• Have due regard and processes in place for safer recruiting.
• Nominate a Safeguarding Officer; Centre Safeguarding Officer (CSO).
Springbank Riding School (centre) will appoint a Centre Safeguarding Officer (CSO)
The role of the CSO in conjunction with the centre management is:
• Work with others in the centre to ensure a positive child-centred
environment.
• Ensure that their centre is aware of The British Horse Society's safeguarding policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Ensure parents/children are aware of the policy and procedures.
• Receive queries and offer support regarding safeguarding concerns.
• Undertake training as necessary.
• Promote training to centre support staff, members and volunteers.
• Assist the centre to ensure that codes of conduct are in place for club staff, volunteers, coaches, young people and parents.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained and information is only shared on a ''need to know" basis.
• Respond to any allegations or complaints made from within your club/centre.
• Communicate with centre or club management and The BHS Safeguarding team regarding concerns.
• Maintain contact details for local children's social care and the police.
It is not the role of the CSO to be a safeguarding expert or to determine whether or not a serious incident has taken place, rather to record the details and seek guidance if necessary.
Participants, parents and carers are responsible for upholding the Code of conduct that relates to them and reporting a concern through the necessary process (see above).
What is a Safeguarding Concern?
A safeguarding concern is something that has been raised or brought to your attention regarding a child or young person being harmed or it might relate to the well-being or health of a child or young person. It may also be a concern regarding a member of staff or volunteer and their behaviour around young people or adults at risk.
Please refer to our 'How to report a concern or allegation' booklet available on our website. www.bhs.org.uk/safeguardingchildren
If you are unsure on whether it is something you can deal with yourself or if it does need referring on, then please call the BHS for further advice and information.
Springbank Riding School is aware of the definition of an adult who is in a position of trust. For the purpose of working within the Equestrian Industry those who regularly teach, train, sup·ervise or have sole charge of the child are in a position of trust.
Sexual activity between an adult in a position of trust and a child is deemed to be an abuse of trust and is unlawful.
Springbank Riding School (centre) ensures, that all employees and volunteers are aware of positions of authority/trust in relation to children and young people. In our employee contracts/codes of conduct, we make them aware that they must not engage in sexual relationships with under 18s.
When recording a disclosure, it is important that the information is clear, concise and a true representation of the concerns. In some instances, it may be necessary to share information with Children's Social Care, the Police, the Local Authority Designated Officer and British Equestrian hence the necessity for making detailed records at the time of the disclosure.
Information should be factual and should include the following:
• The facts about the allegation or observation.
• A description of any visible injuries or signs.
• The child's account, if this has been disclosed, of what has happened and how any injuries occurred.
• Any witnesses to the incident(s).
• Any times, dates or other relevant information
• A clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
• A record of any non-verbal behaviours
• Action taken as a result of the concern
• The name, address and date of birth of those involved.
Please note: Where possible you should include the relevant dates, times, situation, people present and factual information, including the dates, times and designation of the report writer. The record must then be signed with the name and designation clearly printed beneath. This record should be shared with the appropriate Member Body immediately, ensuring that the sharing is done securely. You should encrypt the email if you can or password-protect any documents/attachments and mark the email as Private and Confidential- FAO Safeguarding Lead. Do not use a general or group mail address if at all possible.
Keep your record secure. Do not allow anyone access to it unless they have a specific need to do so. Make sure the device and file storage you use is secure and accessible only by those who have appropriate training in managing personal data.
For guidance on how long to keep records please see Guidance on Retention and Storage of Safeguarding Records which can be found in the BEF Toolkit and on the BEF website.
Information sharing is vital in identifying and tackling all forms of abuse and neglect and promoting the welfare of the child. As part of meeting a child's needs, it is important for all stakeholders to recognise the importance of information sharing. This should include ensuring arrangements are in place that set out clearly the processes and principles for sharing information between the centre and any referring school or agency, including low-level concerns that may not warrant immediate action but that could form a pattern. Staff should be proactive in sharing information as early as possible to help identify, assess and respond to risks or concerns about the safety and welfare of children.
In order to protect children, young people and adults at risk the BHS at times will need to disclose to appropriate agencies, such as the Police and other relevant third parties details regarding a safeguarding concern. Please see the Sharing Information Processes Document.
Springbank Riding School (centre) will make available their Safeguarding Policy and Procedures to all clients and their parents/guardians and it will appear in full on Springbank Riding School (centre) website.
The designated Centre Safeguarding Officer must undertake the BEF approved safeguarding training ( or recognised equivalent course) within the last 3 years. Refresher training must be completed every three years via either the BEF-approved online training portal or a further face-to-face course. Other instructors/coaches working with -children at the centre should (and it is recommended by the BHS that they do so) undertake safeguarding training.
Instructors/coaches who teach/coach Under 18s must hold a current certificate through the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access NI as appropriate.
Certificates must be renewed every three years.
Organisations should have a safe recruitment process that is followed with both employees and volunteers.
NSPCC 0808 800 5000
Childline 24-hour free and confidential helpline for children Tel: 0800 1111
Victim Support Provides emotional support, information and practical help for victims and witnesses Tel: 0845 3030 900
Children First - Scotland - Tel: 0131 446 2300
Ann Craft Trust- supporting adults at risk Tel: 0115 951 5400
Domestic Abuse Hotline Tel: 0808 2000 24 7
Age UK Tel: 0800 169 6565
ACT Early Prevent radicalisation and extremism by Acting Early
Please see BHS website for useful templates and documents
www.bhs.org.uk/safeguardingchildren
Criminal record check information
England and Wales www.bhs.org.uk/record-checks
The purpose of this complaint policy is to enable clients or staff to be fully informed upon the process by which any complaints received by the Centre will be managed. It aims to ensure that all complaints received are responded to in a manner which reassures the person making the complaint that complaints are managed in an appropriate and timely manner.
It is recognised that complaints may provide a business with a valuable opportunity to identify any short comings in the service provided to both clients and staff.
How to make a complaint?
Complaints may be made directly in person, by telephone, by email, via the contact form or in writing and this policy outlines the procedure to be followed if a complaint is received.
Who do I complain to?
Any complaint should be made to either of the following personnel:
The Centre Manager Tony Smith or Alisha Lamb
If a complaint relates to an allegation of ill-treatment of a child or adult at risk, then the Centres (or BHS) Safeguarding Policy will be followed.
When a complaint is received
The following details of a complaint are recorded:
• Name of the complainant and contact details
• Date of receipt
• Nature of complaint
Complaint details will only be circulated to those with a direct need to be informed of the complaint. Complainant details will be deleted from the complaint when the complaint is closed, prior to the complaint being logged.
Responding to a complaint
The Centre Manager will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 5 working days
Depending upon the nature of the complaint, the Centre Manager may choose either of the following options;
• to telephone/meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint before initiating any investigation
• initiate an investigation to ascertain the facts
• respond to the complainant upon the outcome of the complaint, eg upheld or not within the following 5 working days.
In situations whereby the complaint may require further time allowance to enable further investigation then the Centre Manager will inform the complainant.
Upon closure of investigation, the Centre Manager will initiate appropriate action in response to the complaint.
Details of the investigation and any resulting outcome will be recorded in the complaints log.
