Safeguarding partnership agreement

Confirmation of policies and procedures in place

• Safeguarding children policy
  There is a safeguarding policy that all partners adhere to, and all are aware of their responsibilities. Where all partners have a policy, you should identify and communicate to all which policy is being used.

Find an example of a safeguarding children policy

• Safeguarding adults policy
  There is a safeguarding policy that all partners adhere to, and all are aware of their responsibilities. Where all partners have a policy, you should identify and communicate to all which policy is being used.

Find an example of a safeguarding adults policy

• Procedures for recording, reporting and sharing concerns (required)
  There are clear instructions on what to do in the event of an allegation, incident, suspicion of abuse or poor practice, or concern about a participant’s welfare. This makes it clear who an incident or concern should be reported to and how this is recorded and managed.

Find help on what to do if concerns are raised

• Procedures for raising and dealing with allegations against staff (required)
  There are procedures to manage concerns about the behaviour of staff, coaches and volunteers. Everyone should be aware of how to raise a concern about those who are delivering the activity.

Find help on what to do if allegations are made against staff or volunteers

• Online safety policy, social media policy and acceptable use statement (required if delivering virtual activities)
  There are guidelines for how the organisation uses the internet and social media to engage participants safely. Everyone should understand the expectations of how to behave online, and how this will be managed.

Find tips on delivering sessions online (accessible version)

• Attendance and absence policy (required if delivering for children and young people)
  Staff and volunteers are aware of the correct processes to record/report attendance & absence. Partners should agree on when it is appropriate to report absence or patterns of lateness to parents, and communicate how this will be done.

Confirmation of responsibilities

• Safe recruitment processes
  There are procedures for safe recruitment and training of staff and volunteers, including criminal record checks (e.g. DBS) where appropriate. This will ensure that there are clearly defined roles, responsibilities and skills which will have a positive impact on the participants

Find out more about safer recruitment

• Skills, qualifications and insurance
  Coaches, staff and volunteers are appropriately skilled and qualified to deliver the activity.  There is appropriate supervision for coaches who are under 18. Partners should be clear about which organisation’s insurance covers the activity and about any limitations.

• Health & safety induction
  All staff and volunteers receive a full health & safety induction, including basic information on how to record and report safeguarding concerns.
• Codes of conduct
  There are codes of conduct for staff, coaches, volunteers and participants, which everyone is aware of. This ensures everyone knows what is expected of them and what will happen if they do not meet expected standards of behaviour.

Find example codes of conduct for parents, children and staff

• Safeguarding training
  All those with responsibility for delivering activities are provided with opportunities to learn about safeguarding and protecting children and young people and/or adults.

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• Participant registration and record keeping
  There are GDPR compliant processes for seeking, holding and sharing information, including participant registration, medical and photography consent where applicable. Explicit consent must be sought that is related to the activity and identifies what the personal data (including photographs) will be used for.

Find guidance on taking, and using images of participants

• Accident and incident procedures
  There are Emergency First Aid and accident procedures in place. This includes having a trained first aider attending all sessions.

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• Risk assessments
  Regular Risk Assessments should be completed which consider the activity, facilities and equipment, age and ability of participants, and staffing ratios. These should be completed by the appropriate organisation and revised in the event of any changes.

Find guidance on identifying risks and control measures (accessible version)

• Public liability insurance
  The activity provider has valid public liability insurance; coaches are appropriately insured to deliver activity. Partners should be clear about which organisation’s insurance covers the activity and about any limitations.

• Involving and supporting young people
  Young people feel valued and listened to. There is information about support available following any incidents, including arrangements to support whistle-blowers. This shows that the organisations are committed to ensuring that concerns are recorded and reported.