Shuttle Academy

Safeguarding

SHUTTLE ACADEMY

SOUTH CRAVEN

Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy

Policy Owner: Russell Gill

Policy approved by: Emma Yiu

Date Policy approved: 17.09.2025

Next review Date: 20.08.2026

  1. Introduction

South Craven Shuttle Academy is committed to setting high standards and promoting a positive culture which provides a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy badminton. The importance of this has never been greater. 

We accept our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people[1] and protect them from poor practice, abuse and bullying.

Our Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy applies to all individuals, whether as a player, coach, volunteer, spectator parent or carer.

  • Principles

2.1.      South Craven Shuttle Academy understands that we all have a responsibility to safeguard and protect children and young people, to act appropriately, and to report concerns.

2.2       The welfare of the child is paramount.

2.3       South Craven Shuttle Academy recognises that all participants, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, have the right to enjoy our sport in an environment that is safe from abuse of any kind.            

2.4       South Craven Shuttle Academy promotes a listening culture where the views of children, parent/carers and other club members are sought and acted upon. This helps us create an environment where people have the opportunity and confidence to raise concerns.

3.        Roles and Responsibilities

3.1       As a club affiliated to Badminton England South Craven Shuttle Academy will:

3.1.1    Adopt and implement the Badminton England Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy, procedures and guidelines.

3.1.2    Appoint a Club Welfare Officer in line with the Badminton England guidelines and role description.

3.1.3    Provide access to appropriate training, guidance and support. Ensuring that all committee members, coaches, volunteers and club members are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.

3.1.4    Implement a policy of best practice and adhere to the Badminton England Codes of Ethics and Behaviour.

3.1.5    Work in partnership with parents/carers and young people within the club.

3.1.6    Ensure that all staff/ volunteers working with young people are recruited according to the Badminton England recruitment guidelines.

3.1.7    Ensure that all concerns and reported cases are managed in line with Badminton England Policy and procedures.

4 .        Prohibited Conduct

4.1       Best practice will be observed by all adults working/volunteering with children and young people. Practice that must be avoided includes, but is not limited to;

  • Spending time alone with children and young people away from others.
  • Inviting or allowing a child or young person to stay at their home.
  • Transporting a child or young person in a car alone.
  • Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games with children and young people.
  • Sharing a room with a child or young person.
  • Allowing or engaging in any form of inappropriate physical touching or sexual contact or behaviour.
  • Using or allowing children and young people to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
  • Making sexually suggestive comments to a child or young person.
  • Failing to respond and report concerns when allegations/disclosures are made by a child or young person.
  • Doing things of a personal nature for a young person that they can do for themselves. This does not preclude anyone attending to an injured/ill young person or rendering first aid.
  • Departing from the club or agreed meeting point before the safe dispersal of all children and young people is complete.
  • Humiliating or undermining a child or young person or acting in a way that negatively affects their self-esteem.
  • Treating some children and young people more favourably than others.
  • Creating a dependent relationship between themselves and a child or young person, failing to maintain appropriate boundaries.
  • Private telephone calls, texts, social network messages/contact and emails without parental consent or knowledge.

5.         Positions of Trust

5.1       An adult, aged 18 or older, in a position of authority or responsibility over a child or young person is in a position of trust. This is defined by the activity that they carry out in relation to the child, namely, coaching, teaching, training, supervising or instructing, whether in a paid role or as a volunteer. This relationship can be described as one where the adults is in a position of power and influence by virtue of their role.  

5.2       It is a criminal offence for any person in a position of trust to have a sexual or intimate relationship with a child or young person under 18 years old, even if the relationship is deemed to be consensual.

5.3       South Craven Shuttle Academy will report any sexual activity, including online activity, between someone in a position of trust and a child or young person to Badminton England.

6.        Reporting and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns      

6.1       Everyone at South Craven Shuttle Academy should feel confident to raise a concern, no matter how small.

6.2       South Craven Shuttle Academy believe that sharing concerns, taking them seriously and dealing with them swiftly, when they occur, supports a proactive safeguarding culture.

6.3       South Craven Shuttle Academy will ensure that any confidential information relating to safeguarding matters is shared appropriately and only with those who need to know. Information may need to be shared with the County Welfare Officer, Badminton England or local agencies with statutory responsibility for safeguarding. If we are unsure, we will seek advice from Badminton England.

7.        Consequences

7.1       South Craven Shuttle Academy understand that it shall be a ground for action to be taken where an organisation/person over whom Badminton England has jurisdiction is found to have harmed the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person, or whose conduct (whether in badminton or not) is deemed to pose an actual or potential risk of harm to the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person in badminton.

8.        Monitoring and Review

8.1       This Policy has been developed based on the principles contained within UK and international legislation and Government guidance, complementing Local Safeguarding Children Boards’ procedures.

8.2       This policy will be reviewed every two years, or whenever there is a major change in legislation, statutory guidance or significant organsational change.

9.        Further Information

9.1       This policy is supported by the following documents:

  • Badminton England Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People Policy
  • Badminton England Disciplinary Regulations
  • South Craven Shuttle Academy CODE OF CONDUCT
  • Badminton England Codes of Ethics and Behaviour
  • South Craven Shuttle Academy SHARING CONCERNS FLOWCHART

[1] Children and Young people are those aged under 18 years.