Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

1Purpose and scope

Power Up Club Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who take part in our activities, and expects everyone involved to share this commitment. This policy applies to all staff, coaches, volunteers, placement students and anyone acting on behalf of Power Up Club. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and the welfare of the child is always our paramount concern.

2Key roles and contacts

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) holds lead responsibility for safeguarding. Any concern about a child, or any disclosure, must be reported to the DSL without delay.

Where a concern arises, it is reported to the local authority for the area in which the child lives, or where the activity takes place. Most of our work is in Surrey, so we use the Surrey contacts by default, and the Richmond contacts for our Richmond-based activities. The full contact list is alongside this policy.

3Our commitments

We will value, listen to and respect children. We adopt safe recruitment practices, including DBS checks and references. We provide appropriate safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers, maintain adequate adult to child ratios, and follow clear codes of conduct. We record and respond to concerns appropriately, and share information with the relevant agencies when a child may be at risk.

4Safer recruitment

All staff, coaches, volunteers and placement students undergo an enhanced DBS check, with a barred list check where working in regulated activity. They provide references, and have their identity and qualifications verified before working unsupervised with children. Anyone awaiting clearance is supervised at all times.

5Recognising abuse

Staff and volunteers are alert to the categories of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect, as well as specific concerns such as bullying, child on child abuse, online harm and exploitation. Everyone should be able to recognise possible signs and know how to respond.

6Responding to concerns

If anyone has a concern about a child, they will stay calm, make an accurate and factual written record as soon as possible using the child’s own words, and report the concern to the DSL without delay. The DSL decides on next steps, including referral to children’s services (C-SPA) or the police where appropriate.

7Responding to a disclosure

When a child discloses, the adult will listen carefully and take it seriously. They will not investigate or ask leading questions, and will not promise to keep secrets. They will reassure the child that they were right to speak out, explain what will happen next in an age appropriate way, and pass the information to the DSL immediately. Records are factual, dated and signed.

8Allegations against staff or volunteers

Any allegation against an adult working for Power Up Club is taken seriously and reported to the DSL and to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for the relevant area, without delay and within one working day. We do not investigate before taking LADO advice, and we follow local authority procedures throughout. Where necessary, we will take proportionate action, such as removing the person from front line activity, while an investigation takes place.

9Code of conduct

All adults will treat children with respect and dignity, avoid being alone with a child where possible, and stay visible to others. They will never use physical punishment or humiliating behaviour. They will use appropriate physical contact only when necessary for safety, first aid or age appropriate coaching, and in an open way, and will follow our photography and online rules below.

10Photography and social media

Photographs or videos of children are only taken and used with the written consent of a parent or carer. Images are stored securely, used only for the agreed purpose, and never linked to a child’s full name or personal details.

11Online safety

Any online or digital activity involving children is conducted through official Power Up Club channels only, with appropriate parental consent, and never through personal accounts or private messaging with a child.

12Health, safety and ratios

We risk assess activities and venues, maintain appropriate adult to child ratios for the age group and activity, hold appropriate first aid provision, and ensure children are only released to authorised adults.

13Information handling

Safeguarding records are kept confidential, stored securely, and shared only on a need to know basis with those who need the information to protect a child, in line with data protection law.

14Training

All staff and volunteers receive an induction covering this policy. The DSL undertakes designated safeguarding lead training, and safeguarding awareness is refreshed regularly.

15Policy review

This policy is reviewed at least annually, or sooner if there are changes in legislation, guidance or our practice. It was last reviewed on 30 August 2025 and is next due for review on 30 August 2026.