Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults – Policies

Policy Statement

Active Kent & Medway is committed to:

• keeping children, young people and adults safe in sport and physical activity, by working in partnership with organisations to promote and deliver best practice;
• embedding the principles of equality and diversity, and safeguarding across all its work, and expects all staff, Board members, partners and volunteers to share that commitment.

Principles

Active Kent & Medway believes that:

• the welfare and safety of children and adults is of primary concern
• everyone has the right to be safe from abuse and neglect, and to be treated with dignity and respect
• it is the responsibility of safeguarding professionals to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is everyone’s responsibility to put measures in place, and to report any concerns
• all incidents of suspected poor practice and allegations of abuse must be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
• confidentiality should be upheld in line with data protection legislation, and
  1. should not be a barrier to promoting the welfare and protecting the safety of children
  2. adults should be encouraged and supported (where needed) to make their own decisions and give informed consent
  3. it must always be assumed that an adult has the capacity to make a decision unless it is established that they lack capacity to do so
• safeguarding of adults should be person-led and outcome-focused, and an individual’s sense of wellbeing should be promoted throughout
• accountability and transparency are paramount in delivering safeguarding
• all Active Kent & Medway staff, volunteers and partnering organisations have a role to play in safeguarding children, young people and adults.

If Active Kent & Medway does not meet expected standards in adhering to this policy, please email activekent@kent.gov.uk in the first instance. All complaints received will be investigated and responded to as quickly as possible. For more information about the Kent County Council Customer Service policy, please visit www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council.