SAFEGUARDING

Longbridge Chess Club
Safeguarding Policy

1. Longbridge Chess Club is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. This means that we are committed to facilitating the recognition and reporting of potential or actual abuse, and to creating an environment in which all members and visitors feel safe. This policy falls in line with recommendations of ECF and BDCL Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for Children, which are available to members. Members of Longbridge Chess Club who liaise with or take responsibility for children must read Appendix 2 of the BDCL Procedures. This policy is not intended for people who work with children: refer to BDCL procedures.

2. In order to promote these aims we will maintain the role of Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Officer for Longbridge Chess Club.
The Safeguarding Officers will:
a) Promote safeguarding of children and adults within Longbridge Chess Club.
b) Offer advice and support to any club member with concerns about abuse of any person.
c) Liaise as needed with Birmingham City Council’s Safeguarding Teams and with BDCL Safeguarding officer(s).
d) Update this policy as needed.

The Longbridge Chess Club Safeguarding Officer is Rob Davies:

Tel: 07946 547580

Email: daviesra@hotmail.co.uk

The Longbridge Chess Club Deputy Safeguarding Officer is Gavin Cartwright:
Tel: 07853 357395

Email: gavin@sccb.ac.uk


The BDCL Safeguarding Officer is:  vacant.
Tel:

Email:

 
The WCA Safeguarding Officer is: Paul Sharratt.

Tel: 07515688795

Email: psharratt@hotmail.co.uk

Where any club member wishes to discuss a concern of possible abuse by any person with the Safeguarding Officers, this will be treated as confidential where possible. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed – for example, where it is believed that a crime has been committed.

3. The lead responsibility for safeguarding in Birmingham is Birmingham City Council.

Information on how to contact safeguarding professionals is at the end of this document.

Please note that while criminal abuse should be reported to the Police, we are also committed to helping people out of non-criminal abusive situations, which are causing them to suffer. All genuine concerns should be reported to the Council’s safeguarding teams – as we do not know whether our concern is an isolated incident, or part of a wider pattern. Club members are welcome to request support from the Longbridge Chess Club Safeguarding Officers in such cases.

4.  There are 5 main areas of abuse:

Physical Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Neglect (intentional and unintentional)
Financial Abuse (generally applicable to adults only)

Possible signs of abuse include:

  • Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries or the explanation of the cause of the injury does not seem right.
  • You observe or the vulnerable adult or child discloses abuse, or describes what appears to be an abusive act.
  • Someone else (child or adult) expresses concern about the welfare of another child or adult.
  • Unexplained change in behaviour such as withdrawal or sudden outbursts of temper.
  • Inappropriate sexual awareness or sexually explicit behaviour.
  • Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected.
  • Difficulty in making friends.
  • Eating disorders, depression, self-harm or suicide attempts.
  • Unexpected shortage of money

Becoming aware of a safeguarding issue

Longbridge Chess Club recognises that there are many ways that an organisation or individual may become aware about a vulnerable adult, or child or young person’s safety.

For example:

  • a third party or anonymous allegation is received;
  • a child or young person’s appearance, behaviour, play, drawing or statements cause suspicion of abuse and/or neglect;
  • a child or young person reports an incident(s) of alleged abuse which occurred some time ago;
  • a written report is made regarding the serious misconduct of a worker towards a child or young person;
  • an incident is witnessed;
  • a police charge is made.

No safeguarding issue will be ignored or dismissed by Longbridge Chess Club as “minor”.

5. Practical Safeguarding for Longbridge Chess Club

The following addresses situations which could arise in the club setting. It should not be treated as covering all eventualities.

a) Adults – we are committed to safeguarding adults as well as children. Vulnerable adults are usually at risk, but vulnerability (e.g. mental ill health) may not be obvious.

b) Children

1.  We welcome children as members of our club. We will offer age-appropriate support, and support for specific needs (e.g. disability) where possible whilst recognising that most older children are capable of looking after themselves.

2. Team Captains and club members liaising directly with children are advised to read Appendix 2 of the BDCL procedures. In situations such as e.g. providing transport they are also strongly advised to ensure they have the informed consent and agreement of parents, their contact details, and to check that the child’s needs (e.g. diet/medication) have been discussed and can be met.

3. Where there is a concern that children (e.g. primary age children or older children with specific needs) cannot have their individual needs met by the club, and parents are not willing to provide supervision, Team Captains or any club members involved must raise the concern with the club Secretary and Safeguarding Officers, and a meeting must be held with the child’s parent(s) or guardian to resolve the issue.

In a situation where the club Secretary and Safeguarding Officers, working together, are unable to resolve genuine concerns about the appropriate care and protection of a child at the club; they may, in the child’s and club’s interests, refuse admission to that child, and their decision shall be final.    


CONTACT INFORMATION

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

This information is from Birmingham City Council Children’s Safeguarding website at:

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20136/child_protection_and_safeguarding

If you think someone is in immediate danger

If you think someone is in immediate danger contact us straightaway or call the Police on 999. Visit the West Midlands Police website

Worried about a child?

The Children’s Advice and Support Service (CASS) provides a single point of contact for professionals and members of the public who want to seek support or raise concerns about a child.

We want to keep all children and young people in Birmingham safe from harm. If you are concerned about a child please contact us. We will listen, assess your concerns, and can take action if a child is at risk.

If you’re not sure whether a child is at risk you can discuss the circumstances with us or with someone else who works with children, such as a teacher, health visitor or the NSPCC. All professionals who work with children have a responsibility to safeguard them and will know how to help.

CONTACT DETAILS

Birmingham Social Services (Children’s Advice and Support Services)

Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 5:15pm
Friday: 8:45am to 4:15pm
Telephone: 0121 303 1888

Emergency out-of-hours:
Telephone: 0121 675 4806

SAFEGUARDING ADULTS

The information below is on the Birmingham City Council webpage for Safeguarding Adults

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/…/report_possible_abuse_or_neglect_of_a_vulnerable_adult

If you think someone is in immediate danger

If you think someone is in immediate danger contact us straightaway or call the Police on 999. Visit the West Midlands Police website

Report possible abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult

Anyone can be the eyes and ears of an at-risk person and help protect them from being abused.

If you’re worried about the possible abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult (someone who can’t protect themselves), and they’re not in immediate danger, then please contact us as soon as possible to let us know.

Report abuse to Birmingham City Council on 0121 303 1234 or email ACAP@birmingham.gov.uk.

Emergency duty team office hours:

  • Monday to Thursday, from 5:15pm to 8:45am
  • Friday to Monday, from 4:15pm to 8:45am

If you think there has been a crime, but it’s not an emergency, contact:

West Midlands Police as soon as possible on 0345 113 5000 or 101.