Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy – 1st4sport 
Designated Safeguarding Officer: Tracey Vaccarezza
Writer/reviewer of this policy: Tracey Vaccarezza
Version: 2		Date: 20/07/22

Solihull MBC’s Recognised Delivery Centre has a professional duty to provide children and vulnerable adults with appropriate safety and protection. As the welfare of the child and vulnerable adult is paramount, we are committed to providing a secure environment so that children and vulnerable adults may participate in courses/programmes with confidence. 
The Head of Centre Tina Wiggin is responsible for ensuring that this policy is published, implemented and accessible to all personnel, learners and any relevant third parties. The Head of Centre will also ensure that all personnel have read and understood this policy and that any amendments to the policy are communicated to relevant parties. 

Learners should be made aware of this policy at the start of their course/programme and the policy should be easily accessible (website, intranet, booklets).

Objectives
In order to provide safety, protection and security to children and vulnerable adults throughout our operations, we will adhere to our child and vulnerable adult safeguarding policy and intend to:
•	protect all children and vulnerable adults from abuse, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, ethnic origin, religious beliefs or sexuality 
•	raise awareness of child and vulnerable adult safeguarding issues and promote good practice
•	conduct risk assessments to minimise potential hazards to children’s and vulnerable adults’ welfare
•	provide support to learners who have been abused and act proactively by preventing any similar incidents through risk assessment
•	ensure all personnel fully understand their responsibilities and are provided with the appropriate training/regular updates of the legislation.

All allegations should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer

Allegations Reporting Procedure

All allegations will be taken seriously and dealt with as soon as practicable by following the procedure below:

The safeguarding officer should acknowledge receipt of the allegation within 5 working days

Outcomes will be communicated to all relevant stakeholders upon conclusion of the investigation.

The Designated Safeguarding Officer will conduct an investigation while taking all reasonable steps to protect the child or vulnerable adult.

The Designated Safeguarding Officer is responsible for conducting any investigation and communicating the results if the child and/or vulnerable adult abuse is suspected to be committed by a member of centre staff, whether paid or voluntary. Throughout this procedure, records will be maintained and kept securely and confidentially.  

The Safeguarding Officer will make any necessary reports to the authorities on the allegation, which places a child or vulnerable adult in danger. 

In the event of an allegation of child and/or vulnerable adult abuse being committed by any 1st4sport personnel or tutors/assessors/internal quality assurers who appear on a 1st4sport partner list (where applicable), the Designated Safeguarding Officer is required to report any allegation to the 1st4sport Qualifications Compliance and Risk Team.