Safeguarding Policy

Noakes Farm Riding Centre fully accepts its legal and moral obligation under The Children Act (1989) and (2004), to provide a duty of care to protect all children and safeguard their welfare, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, parental or marital status, pregnancy, religion or belief, creed, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

A child/ young person is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

Noakes Farm Riding Centre fully adopts the BHS Safeguarding Policy (children and young people).

 

AIMS

The aims of the Noakes Farm Riding 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 Noakes Farm Riding 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 from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and respect their rights, wishes and feelings.
  • 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. It is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place but it is everyone’s responsibility to report it.
  • 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 practise through compliance with BEF  codes of conduct produced for instructors, coaches, parents/guardians, junior members and volunteers (see later). The policy and procedures are mandatory for everyone involved with Noakes Farm Riding Centre. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the 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.

 

CENTRE SAFEGUARDING OFFICER

Noakes Farm Riding Centre will appoint a Centre Safeguarding Officer (CSO).

 

THE ROLE OF THE CSO IS:

  • Work with others in the centre or club to ensure a positive child-centred environment
  • Ensure that their club or 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 club and centre support staff, members and volunteers
  • Assist the club or centre to ensure that the codes of conduct are in place for club staff, volunteers, coaches, young people and parents/guardians.
  • 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 Child Protection expert or to determine whether or not a serious incident has taken place, rather to record the details and seek guidance if necessary.

 

COMMUNICATION

Noakes Farm Riding Centre will make available its Safeguarding Policy and Procedures to all staff, volunteers, junior members and their parents/guardians and it will appear in full on the website.

Noakes Farm Riding Centre will circulate to all new clients and their parents/guardians if they are under the age of 18, the name and number of the CSO.

All individuals involved with Noakes Farm Riding Centre, no matter what role they participate in, must adhere to the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

All individuals involved with Noakes Farm Riding Centre must all sign to agree to uphold the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

 

TRAINING

Instructors/coaches and staff and volunteers working with children 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. Any new appointments of under 18 instructors/coaches and staff and volunteers working with children will undertake the BEF safeguarding training course (or recognised equivalent) as part of their initial training/induction unless they can evidence that they have undertaken the course with another member body in the last three years. They will then refresh their training every three years as detailed above.

 

CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS

Instructors who teach/coach under 18s, staff and volunteers working with children at Noakes Farm Riding Centre must hold a current certificate through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Certificates must be renewed every three years.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Noakes Farm Riding Centre Safeguarding Officer details:

Sallie Barrett

01885 483467
07963319534

Confidential email: sallie@noakesfarmridingcentre.co.uk

Childline: 0800 1111
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

 

Code of Conduct for Young people

WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO:

The Essentials

  • Keep yourself safe by listening to your coach or instructor, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn’t right.
  • When you’re with us, stay in the places you’re supposed to, don’t wander off or leave without telling a member of staff.
  • Take care of our equipment and premises as if they were your own.
  • Arrive on time or if you are running late, let a member of staff know.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for the activity and weather.
  • Do not smoke or consume alcohol on the premises or during the activities.

 

Behaviour:

  • Respect and celebrate difference in our school and do not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation or ability.
  • Report any incidents of bullying, including homophobia and transphobia to a member of staff, even if you’re just a witness.
  • Treat other your people with respect and appreciate that everyone has different levels of skill and talent.
  • Support and encourage each other.
  • Respect our staff.
  • Abide by the rules and have fun.

 

WE UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

  • Enjoy the time you spend with us
  • Be told who you can talk to if something’s not right
  • Be listened to
  • Be respected by us and be treated fairly.
  • Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality or ability
  • Be encouraged and develop new skills
  • Be looked after if there is an accident or injury and have your parents informed if necessary.

 

 

Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers

AS A MEMBER OF STAFF OR VOLUNTEER WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO:

  • Implement our Safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Report any concerns about or allegations of abuse or poor practice to our Safeguarding Officer (Sallie Barrett).
  • Listen to any concerns that parents or young people might have
  • Do not engage in any behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse.
  • Respect your position of trust and maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships
  • Keep coaching, first aid and safeguarding training up to date
  • Respect children’s trust and rights whilst being honest and open with them
  • Do not discriminate against anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or ability
  • Administer first aid if an injury occurs and call for help when necessary
  • Use constructive and positive methods of developing skills, without humiliating or harming them
  • Challenge and address instances of poor, negative, aggressive or bullying behaviour amongst young people
  • Lead by example
  • Develop positive relationships with parents/ carers and keep them updated of their child’s development /progress
  • Help make our riding school a friendly and welcoming place to be!

 

WE UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

  • Enjoy the time you spend with us and be supported in your role.
  • Be informed of our safeguarding procedures and what you need to do if something isn’t right.
  • Have access to on-going training and support.
  • Be listened to
  • Be involved and contribute towards decisions that affect the school
  • Be respected and treated fairly
  • Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality or ability
  • Be protected from physical or emotional abuse from children or parents and be supported to resolve conflict.