Employee Safeguarding Policy

Date of Policy: October 2026

Statement of Purpose

Best Stroke Leisure works with children and families as part of its activities. These include the provision of Swimming lessons. The purpose of this policy is to provide Best Stroke Leisure employees with procedures for actioning safeguarding concerns/disclosures.

*Please note, throughout the guidance the term child / children are used, this also refers and incudes young people and vulnerable adults.

STA Safeguarding Policy

Members of the STA are expected to adhere to the STA Safeguarding Policy: https://www.sta.co.uk/policies/safeguarding-policy/ .

Safeguarding Principles

Best Stroke Leisure ensures that every employee recruited:

  • Receives safeguarding training appropriate to their role
  • Are subject, dependent on their role, to the appropriate DBS check
  • Agrees to adhere to the internal safeguarding policy.

All employees agree to:

  • Act appropriately and professionally in the presence of children
  • Maintain a child centred approach ensuring the child’s welfare is paramount
  • Remain alert and aware of possible safeguarding risks to children
  • Ensure all participants whatever their age, ability, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity are protected from abuse
  • Take all suspicious and allegations of abuse seriously; and respond swiftly and appropriately
  • Challenge any inappropriate or harmful behaviour
  • Not take inappropriate risks
  • Understand the duty to report concerns in line with the child protection procedures
  • Recognise the statutory responsibility and commit to working together with the police, local authority safeguarding team and the NSPCC to ensure the welfare of children
  • Agree to adhere to the legislation on Position of Trust.

Recognition of Abuse

Employees will refer to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/spotting-signs-child-abuse/ for the latest guidance.

Types of Abuse

Employees will refer to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/ for the latest guidance.
Please note, Companies and employees should adhere to home country policies, procedures, guidance and legislation in which they operator.

Responding to a Disclosure from a Child

Employees will refer to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/what-to-do-child-reveals-abuse/ for the latest guidance.

  • If the child is in immediate harm the appropriate emergency services must be contacted
  • If the child is not in immediate danger, contact the company Designated Safeguarding Officer, in writing, within 24 hours
  • The Designated Safeguarding Officer will determine whether:
    • The incident needs reporting to the local authorities
    • The incident can be dealt with by speaking to the parents / guardians
    • The concern is a poor practice issue rather than a safeguarding concern and the company policies will be adhered to.

A company incident report form should be provided to employees in order for incidents, disclosures of concerns to be reported consistently.

Allegations of Abuse Against Employees

This would include any employee or volunteer working with children within the company. There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice rather than abuse. Incidents / concerns should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer if there are any suspicions.

  • If, following consideration the allegation is clearly about poor practice, then the company will deal with this as a misconduct issue
  • Any suspicion that a child has been abused by an employee will be reported to the company Designated Safeguarding Officer who will take such steps as they consider necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk
  • The company Designated Safeguarding Officer will refer the allegation to the LADO with immediate effect.

Reporting Incidents/Disclosures

All safeguarding incidents / disclosures must be reported to the company Designated Safeguarding Officer. A company incident report form should be provided to employees in order for incidents, disclosures of concerns to be reported consistently.
The incident report form can be located at the folder in the first aid boxes at all pools. The Welfare Officer is Samara Bruce contactable by phone 07891078826 or email office@bsleisure.co.uk.