Safeguarding policy

Gamlingay Leisure (Community Gym and MUGA) acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk.

The Trustees of Gamlingay Leisure are committed to ensuring safeguarding practices reflect statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

This policy has been revised to reflect recent legislation, including Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and updated data-protection requirements.

The safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and adults at risk are paramount.  Our aim is to ensure that all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background:

·         experience a safe, inclusive and positive environment

·         are protected from abuse, neglect, harm or exploitation

·         can confidently report concerns and be listened to.

Gamlingay Leisure acknowledges that some individuals, including children with disabilities, mental health needs or those from minoritised communities, may be at increased risk of harm and commits to reasonable adjustments and enhanced safeguards when required.

As part of our safeguarding policy Gamlingay Leisure will:

• promote and prioritise the safety and well-being of children and adults at risk.
• ensure staff/volunteers receive regular safeguarding training
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities
• encourage and maintain a culture where people feel able to raise a genuine safeguarding concern and are confident that it will be taken seriously.
• 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.
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
• prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals.
• ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.

Gamlingay Leisure will ensure:

·         A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will be appointed and named publicly

·         A Deputy DSL will support when the DSL is unavailable

·         All concerns, disclosures or incident reports must be submitted to the DSL immediately

·         Where an individual is believed to be at risk of immediate harm, emergency services will be contacted first

·         The DSL is responsible for referrals to local safeguarding teams or police if necessary

The safeguarding policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in the use of the gym and MUGA.

DBS and Safer Recruitment:

·         Any staff or volunteers working with children or adults at risk must hold an enhanced DBS certificate, including barred-list checks

·         A Single Central Record will be maintained by Trustees.

·         Organisations hiring the MUGA must provide proof of suitable DBS and safeguarding policy

·         DBS checks must be renewed or status-checked regularly.

·         Staff or volunteers working on site must wear a visible lanyard with their name displayed at all times.

·         Organisations hiring the MUGA through the Community Gym must provide proof of suitable DBS and safeguarding policy.

·         To support safeguarding and site security, all members are required to have an approved identification photograph linked to their member account.

Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed and may result in dismissal/exclusion from the gymnasium or use of the MUGA.

The gym will be open from 9:30am to 1pm every day (Monday to Friday pupils will be inside the school and supervised). Gamlingay Leisure will ensure that no staff or member accesses the school site including (MUGA) between 9:00 and 5:00pm.

Any gym members that are children aged 14-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Data Protection and Record Management

All records relating to safeguarding issues are stored securely, with access restricted to DSL/Trustees only

Information may be shared externally without consent if necessary for safeguarding or legal duty.

Data will be retained only as long as necessary and handled lawfully and confidentially,

Breaches must be reported and recorded in line with UK GDPR requirements

Monitoring

The Gamlingay Leisure safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or sooner in the following circumstances:

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance.
• as required by the Local Safeguarding Partners Board
• following a safeguarding incident or near-miss
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Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children namely:

· Children’s Act 1989 & 2004
· United Convention of Rights of the Child 1991
· Data protection Act 2018 & Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
· Sexual Offences Act 2003
· Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
· Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

We recognise that

The welfare of children is paramount, as enshrined in the Children’s Act 1989