Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Reviewed: August 2026
Next Review: August 2027

Club Child Welfare Officer / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Sarah Keefe
Contact: welfare@richmondvolleyball.co.uk

1. Policy Statement

Richmond Volleyball is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children and young people participating in our sport. We adopt the safeguarding standards set by Volleyball England and uphold our responsibility under the Children Act 1989 and 2004 to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

2. Principles

  • A child’s welfare is paramount.
  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial origin, religious belief or sexual orientation, have a right to protection from abuse.
  • All concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
  • We will ensure that all staff and volunteers act in the best interest of children and young people.

3. Specific Safeguarding Issues and Training

Staff and volunteers will receive training to identify and respond to specific safeguarding risks, including:

  • Physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect
  • Peer-on-peer abuse and bullying
  • Online abuse and exploitation
  • Grooming, extremism, and radicalisation

Training will be refreshed regularly, and training records will be securely maintained. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has undertaken safeguarding training appropriate to their role, as set out by Volleyball England. The Club will ensure that the DSL’s training remains current and renewed in line with Volleyball England’s requirements.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Sarah Keefe.
  • The DSL is the named point of contact for all safeguarding concerns from staff, volunteers, children, and parents/carers.

All club members are expected to:

  • Report any concern about the welfare of a child to the DSL.
  • Follow the safeguarding procedures outlined in this policy.

5. Allegations Against Adults

If there is a concern that a staff member, volunteer, coach, or any other adult may pose a risk of harm to children:

  • It must be reported immediately to the DSL.
  • The DSL will inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay.
  • If a child is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed, the police will be contacted immediately.

6. Local Safeguarding Contacts

  • Local Authority Children’s Services (Richmond Single Point of Access): 020 8547 5008 / spa@richmond.gov.uk
  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

7. Reporting incidents via Globocol

The Globocol portal must be used for reporting and managing any concerns. Globocol is a single platform of record for reporting incidents, managing cases, reducing risk and mitigating harm. 

Access to this portal is free from Volleyball England. Details can be obtained from the DSL.

8. Referral to Social Care

If a child is believed to be at risk of significant harm, a referral will be made to Richmond Children’s Services. The DSL will manage the referral process and keep secure records of all actions taken.

9. DBS and Safer Recruitment

  • All staff and volunteers in regulated activity must hold an enhanced DBS check with Barred List.
  • No individual will work unsupervised with children until their check is complete.
  • Where a DBS check identifies relevant information, the Club’s DSL will review the certificate and consult with the Club’s Executive Board before determining, on a risk-assessed basis, whether the individual may engage in regulated activity within the Club.
  • Staff or volunteers from overseas must provide police clearance or equivalent documentation from countries in which they have lived or worked.

10. Legal Duty to Refer

Richmond Volleyball understands its legal obligation to refer individuals to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) when an individual has been removed from regulated activity due to a safeguarding concern.

11. Engagement with Parents and Carers

Parents and carers will be informed that they can raise safeguarding concerns with the club’s DSL. The DSL’s contact details are made available in club communications and on the website.

12. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following:

  • A safeguarding incident
  • Changes to legislation or guidance
  • Updates to Volleyball England’s safeguarding framework