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Safeguarding Policy

West Yorkshire Martial Arts – Taekwondo

  1. Policy Statement

West Yorkshire Martial Arts is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults who participate in our activities.

We aim to ensure a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where all individuals can train free from abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation — both physically and emotionally.

  1. Purpose of This Policy
  • To protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults who attend our club.
  • To provide staff, instructors, volunteers, parents, and students with guidance on how to identify, report, and respond to safeguarding concerns.
  • To promote best practices in safeguarding in accordance with UK law and national martial arts guidelines.
  1. Definitions
  • Child: Anyone under the age of 18.
  • Vulnerable adult: A person aged 18+ who is at risk of harm due to age, disability, illness, or mental health.
  • Abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation.
  1. Key Principles
  • The welfare of the child is paramount.
  • All children and vulnerable adults have the right to be protected from harm regardless of gender, race, ability, religion, sexual orientation, or background.
  • All suspicions or allegations will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • Everyone involved in the club has a responsibility to safeguard others.
  1. Roles & Responsibilities

Safeguarding Lead (Designated Safeguarding Officer – DSO)

  • Responsible for managing concerns and reporting to relevant authorities.
  • Main point of contact for safeguarding within the club.
  • Ensures safeguarding training and DBS checks are up to date.

Current Safeguarding Officer:
Ana Hammond
📧 Email: ahammond247@aol.com
📞 Phone: 07779047312

Instructors and Volunteers

  • Must have valid Enhanced DBS checks and complete basic safeguarding training.
  • Must report any concerns immediately to the DSO.
  • Must never be alone with a child without another adult present (unless in an emergency).

Parents/Guardians

  • Are encouraged to support safeguarding practices and raise any concerns promptly.
  • Should not enter the training area unless invited by an instructor.
  1. Code of Behaviour

Instructors, volunteers, and staff must:

  • Always act as role models of respect and fairness.
  • Never engage in inappropriate physical contact.
  • Avoid any favouritism or special treatment of individual students.
  • Communicate appropriately — no private texting, social media messaging, or gifts to individual students.
  • Never use taekwondo techniques inappropriately or as a form of punishment.
  1. Safe Practice in Taekwondo
  • Supervision: Ensure adequate supervision ratios for age and activity.
  • Changing areas: Children must change in appropriate, separate spaces. Adults should not enter children’s changing rooms unless in an emergency.
  • First Aid: Only trained personnel may administer first aid, and must report any injury or incident to parents/guardians.
  • Sparring & Physical Contact: Always supervised, with safety gear. Contact should always be appropriate and explained clearly.
  1. Recognising Abuse

Signs may include:

  • Unexplained injuries
  • Changes in behaviour or mood
  • Avoidance of certain individuals
  • Disclosures (direct or indirect) of harm

If you suspect abuse or a safeguarding issue, do not investigate — report your concern to the Safeguarding Officer immediately.

  1. Reporting Procedure

If a child discloses abuse:

  1. Stay calm and listen carefully.
  2. Reassure the child they did the right thing by speaking up.
  3. Do not promise confidentiality — you must report it.
  4. Report immediately to the Safeguarding Officer.
  5. Record the disclosure accurately and factually, including date, time, and exact words used.

 

 

  1. Whistleblowing

Any concerns about another instructor, volunteer, or club member must be reported — even if they involve senior staff. All whistleblowing reports will be handled confidentially and seriously.

  1. External Contacts

You may also report concerns directly to:

  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
  • Police (Non-emergency): 101
  1. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident.

Last reviewed: 1st November 2025
Approved by: Scott Hammond