Safeguarding and Welfare
Dabchicks Sailing Club Safeguarding Policy Statement
Revised March 2025
Next review March 2028
Dabchicks Sailing Club is committed to safeguarding children taking part in its activities from physical, sexual or emotional harm, neglect or bullying. We recognise that the safety, welfare and needs of the child are paramount and that any child, irrespective of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual or gender identity or social status, has a right to protection from discrimination and abuse.
Dabchicks Sailing Club takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through safe recruitment, appropriate operating procedures and training, it offers a safe and fun environment to children taking part in its events and activities.
- For the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child.
- All members of the Club should be aware of the policy
- All members of the Club should follow the good practice guidelines (Section 3) and agree to abide by the Club Code of Conduct
- Those working or volunteering with young people should be aware of the different forms of abuse to enable recognition (Section 4)
Club Welfare Officers
- The Club Welfare Officers are:
Lizzy Kingsford 07977 180898 Liz Simpson 07522 335427
Email: club.safeguarding@dabchicks.org
Staff and Volunteers
All Welfare Officers and those staff and volunteers who regularly coach or supervise adults at risk or young people, will be required to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure, with Barred List check if appropriate.
Good Practice
All Dabchicks club members will abide by the RYA Code of Conduct for Members (Appendix I)
All Dabchicks Cadet members will abide by the RYA Code of Conduct for Children (Appendix II)
All Adult Dabchicks members who are participants of the Sunset series, Cadet Week or any cadet sailing that is organised by the Dabchicks will abide by the RYA Code of Conduct for Spectators and Support Persons (Appendix III)
All Sunset and Cadet Week Volunteers will be required to wear a Dabchicks Sunset Volunteer Lanyard at all times during all Sunset and Cadet week events. These lanyards will be allocated to each named member by Dabchicks and cannot be passed on to other individuals at any time, please ensure this is returned at the end of the season.
All Sunset coaches will complete the RYA Safe and Fun Safeguarding Course.
In Loco Parentis
When a child participates in any sailing event organised by the Dabchicks Sailing Club, there must be a parent or adult present who is responsible for that child. If the childs parent or Carer cannot attend a In loco parentis form must be completed and submitted to the organiser of the event with a nominated person identified who must always be present during the event. On any Sunset event this identified person will be allocated a Sunset Volunteer lanyard (if they do not have one) which must be returned at the end of the session. (Appendix IV)
Photos
The Club will seek written consent from parents/carers before taking photos or video of a child at an event or training session or publishing such images. Parents and spectators should be prepared to identify themselves if requested and state their purpose for photography/filming. If the Club publishes images of children, no identifying information other than names will be included. Any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography or the inappropriate use of images should be reported to a Club Welfare Officer.
Changing Rooms
The Dabchicks will provide separate changing rooms for females and males. Children often feel uncomfortable either showering and changing in front of adults and vice versa. It is important that when cadets are present in a changing room that all members consider each others right to privacy.
During Sunset sessions, during the daytime hours of cadet week and during any cadet only sailing event organised by the Dabchicks, changing rooms will be dedicated to children under 18 years of age ONLY, a Notice on the changing room door will remind all members of this rule.
Concerns
Anyone who is concerned about a members welfare, either outside the sport or within the Club, should inform a Club Welfare Officer immediately, in strict confidence. The Club Welfare Officer will follow the agreed procedures for highlighting concern.
Any member of the Club failing to comply with the Safeguarding policy, or any relevant codes of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.
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Last updated 15:23 on 11 February 2026