Statement

The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibility of all members of East Bergholt Bowls Club in relation to Safeguarding Adults at Risk.

All adults have the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

 

Objectives

•  Everyone who participates in bowls is entitled to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.
• The Club is committed to helping everyone in bowls accept their responsibility to safeguard adults at risk, from harm and abuse.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• Members working with adults at risk in bowls have a responsibility to report concerns to their Safe Guarding Officer.

 

Definition of an Adult at Risk?

• Adult at Risk is a person aged 18 or over who is in need of care and support regardless of whether they are receiving them, and because of those needs are unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect. In recent years, there has been a marked shift away from using the term ‘vulnerable’ to describe adults potentially at risk from harm or abuse.
• Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. See section 5 (Bowls England Policy) for further explanations.
• Adult is anyone aged 18 or over.
• Adult safeguarding is protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
• Capacity refers to the ability to make a decision at a particular time, for example when under considerable stress. The starting assumption must always be that a person has the capacity to make a decision unless it can be established that they lack capacity.

 

Responsibilities and Communication

• The East Bergholt Bowls Club Safeguarding Policy will be available to all members, parents, staff, volunteers, and participants. It is important that adults at risk are protected from abuse. All complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously with the Club Secretary passing information to the appropriate NGB Safeguarding Officer and informing the appropriate club staff where relevant.
• The Club has responsibility for ensuring that the policy and procedures are implemented, including referring any appropriate disciplinary action to the national governing body as appropriate.
• The ethos of East Bergholt Bowls Club is that of openness and will provide an atmosphere where individuals feel confident that should they approach any club officer with an issue it will be listened to and actioned appropriately.

 

Monitoring and Review

• This policy will be reviewed one year after being introduced and then every three years or in response to significant new legislation by the Management Committee and amended as appropriate. Guidance from Bowls National Governing Bodies will be sought as part of the review process. The policy will be monitored in partnership with the Bowls National Governing Bodies and Bowls Development Alliance procedures.

 

 

Adopted by the Management Committee of East Bergholt Bowls Club on 19th August 2023

 

Chair         Terri Catchpole                                        Date 19/08/2023