LSKC Adult Welfare & Safeguarding Policy
LSKC is a kayaking club for adults only (over 18 years).
At LSKC we believe that the Welfare of Adults and Adults at Risk (See Appendix 1) is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting them from wellbeing concerns, poor practice and abuse. Everyone in LSKC – committee members, coaches, leaders, participants themselves – can help.
1.The club will place the needs and rights of adults and adults at risk first. All adults regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, ethnic origin, nationality, political beliefs, socio-economic status or sexual orientation have a right to be protected from abuse and exploitation and must be treated with integrity and respect.
2.The underlying principles with respect to Welfare are:
- Dignity – The wellbeing and dignity of adults within LSKC is the primary concern
- Equality – All adults, whatever their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, ethnic origin, nationality, political beliefs, socio-economic status or sexual orientation have the right to protection from all forms of harm, poor practice and abuse
- Empowerment – People are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent, involving them by asking what outcomes they would like from the safeguarding process and keeping them directly informed. Adults have the right to express views on all matters which affect them, should they wish to do so
- Prevention – It is always better to take action before harm occurs, providing information, support and an avenue to seek help if required. It is everyone’s responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of adults
- Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented, working in the best interest of the individual
- Protection – All suspicions and allegations of poor practice, wellbeing concerns or abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Adults will be provided with help and support to report abuse, wellbeing concerns and poor practice. They will be supported to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent that they wish to
- Partnership – Working in partnership with adults and adults at risk and where appropriate their carers/family/support workers is essential for the promotion of an inclusive sport and a safe and protected environment and to achieve the best result for the individual
- Accountability – Ensuring transparency when delivering safeguarding, where the role of everyone involved is clear; and necessary. Treating any personal and sensitive information that is used in adult welfare/safeguarding in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and required
- Support—committee members, Coaches and leaders working with adults should access appropriate education and training opportunities to ensure best practice becomes the norm
- We are bound by and follow Paddle Scotland Wellbeing & Adult Protection Policy, procedures and guidelines.
- Our club responsibilities are to:
- Adhere to the guidelines and procedures contained within this Policy
- Adopt the Adult Welfare & Safeguarding Policy
- Appoint a Club Wellbeing Officer
- Champion best practice with regard to Paddle Scotland Standards of Deployment, Risk Assessment, Health & Safety Guidelines & Accident Reporting
- Accept that all committee members have a responsibility for the welfare and safeguarding of adults and be prepared to respond to any indication of abuse or poor practice or wellbeing concerns
- Be prepared to challenge and alter poor practice
- Maintain confidentiality of all parties involved when investigating, managing and responding to concerns and allegations
- Promote an environment where all concerns can be raised without fear of victimisation or reprisal
- Ensure that LSKC’s Equality Policy is adhered to, and that discrimination is prohibited at all levels
- LSKC Club Welfare Officer is:
Name: Morva McKenzie
Contact details: welfare.lskc@membermojo.co.uk
WHEN TO REPORT ABUSE
Before Reporting any suspected/known abuse against an adult, remember ADULTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION and this means:
- CONSENT from the adult MUST be granted before reporting any concerns (except for the exceptions listed below).
We must RESPECT THE DECISION of the adult, regardless of our own assessment of a situation.
The starting position is always to ASSUME MENTAL CAPACITY unless proven otherwise.
This may ONLY be overridden:
- To protect others.
- Where not intervening would cause further harm to the individual.
- If the adult lacks the capacity to make the decision for themselves.
- Where a crime may have been committed.
If an adult does not give their consent to report concerns, where possible you should always explain to, and involve the adult concerned with what you plan to do and why. It is important despite not having their consent to share information, so that they understand your actions and why you are taking them.
Paddle UK Staff/Volunteers/Clubs/Delivery Partners do NOT have to determine whether an adult has capacity (this is to be assumed). If abuse is experienced, reported, witnessed or disclosed, the responsibility is to:
RECOGNISE possible signs of abuse, RESPOND to disclosures or concerns, REPORT them to the appropriate person (see reporting concerns), RECORD the concerns quickly and confidentially.
HOW TO REPORT CONCERNS
If you have a welfare/safeguarding concern or concern about an adult, whether it relates directly to you, is something you have witnessed, or is something that someone has reported or disclosed to you, even if it does not relate to LSKC, don’t keep it to yourself.
Even if you think that it is a lower-level concern or are not sure – REPORT IT. Small pieces of information can help to create a big picture. IF IN DOUBT discuss it with the CWO or Paddle Scotland Safeguarding Officer.
All concerns should be emailed in the first instance to the CWO who will then arrange a follow up discussion and, where appropriate, agree a course of action and timescale. If your concern is urgent or you do not receive a reply within 7 days, please contact PS Welfare & Safeguarding Officer: andy.murray@canoescotland.org
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*Appendix 1
The Care Act (2014) states that safeguarding duties apply to Adults at risk and defines this as those who:
- Have needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and
- Are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- As a result of those care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or
- A key difference between safeguarding children and adults is an adult’s right to self-determination. Ultimately, an adult may choose not to act at all to protect themselves.
Scotland (Adult Support and Protection Act 2007)
An adult at risk is an individual aged 16 years and over who:
- a) is unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests
- b) is at risk of harm, and
- c) because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, is more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.
Welfare concerns involving Protected Adults (also referred to as Adults at Risk) should be reported to Paddle Scotland Safeguarding Officer, please complete this online Report Concerns Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdinakYl34aCB3xMEYIZDEEjDTEMeazBxPS12WNhMAQ23ScUw/viewform