Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club will ensure a safe environment for all participants to enjoy the sport of hockey free from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation. We commit to maintaining safeguarding practice which reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance, and complies with best practice and England Hockey requirements.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of individuals is paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, everyone:

● has a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club (HDHC) in a safe environment,

● is protected from abuse whilst participating in hockey or associated activity.

Definition of abuse:

Abuse is the violation of an individual’s human or civil rights. It can take many forms, and the individual circumstances should always be considered.

So, for instance, it may be a single act or repeated acts; it may be opportunistic or serial in nature; it may be an act of neglect or a failure to act (ie by omission); it may be an act done deliberately, or be as a result of negligence or of (often well-intended) ignorance.

Abuse can be physical, psychological / emotional, discriminatory, sexual, financial or material, institutional. It may arise from a circumstance of neglect, or self neglect.

Our Policy

As part of our safeguarding policy we will:

● Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

● Value, listen to and respect everyone.

● Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.

● Adopt safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers.

● Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify, and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to everyone, including children and young people.

● Provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about our policies, procedures and behaviour codes and follow them confidently and competently.

● Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents or concerns of abuse.

● Provide appropriate support to the individual(s) who raise or disclose the concern.

● Ensure that confidential, detailed, and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.

● Record and store information securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office]

● Prevent the employment or deployment of unsuitable individuals by recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.

● Appoint a nominated safeguarding lead, and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding.

● Develop and implement an effective online safety policy and related procedures.

● Share information about safeguarding and good practice with children, young people and their parents appropriately via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions.

● Make sure that everyone, including children, young people, and their parents know where to go for help if they have a concern.

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club.

We each have a duty to appropriately report any safeguarding concerns. And it should be recognised that abuse is often - though not always - a crime. Whether a crime or not, appropriate action should always be taken - so as to stop further abuse, prevent escalation, and to provide the necessary support.

Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal or exclusion from the club.

This policy will be reviewed every year, or in the following circumstances:

● Changes in legislation and/or government guidance.

● As required by the local safeguarding partnership, UK Sport and/or home country sports councils and England Hockey.

● As a result of any other significant change or event.

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