Safeguarding children, young people and adults - A short guide for Club Members
Safeguarding children, young people and adults - A short guide for Club Members
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that an organisation takes to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, to protect them from abuse including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial harm and neglect. This includes making sure that the appropriate policies, practices, and procedures are put in place.
Whats the difference between Safeguarding and Child Protection?
The term Child Protection is normally used to describe the process of protecting an individual child identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm because of abuse or neglect.
In boating terms, you might think of safeguarding as doing a risk assessment, following good operating procedures, checking boats, equipment, weather, and tides, making sure everyone wears a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, while child protection would be carrying out a rescue or calling the coastguard or RNLI.
What is safeguarding adults?
Safeguarding adults means protecting a person's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
What has safeguarding got to do with me?
Government guidance makes it clear that Safeguarding is everyones responsibility.
All children, young people and adults, irrespective of any protected characteristic or social status, have a right to be treated with respect and protected from abuse, harm and discrimination.
Anyone who has a negative experience of sport at any age is less likely to become a regular long-term participant. Therefore, it is important for the future of our club and the sport, that children, young people and adults have an enjoyable experience, both on and off the water. All club members have a part to play in making that happen.
Isnt it the responsibility of parents/carers and the people who run the clubs activity programme?
Of course, parents/carers are responsible for their childrens welfare and conduct. Those with specific roles that involve teaching, training or supervising children and adults at risk should be suitable people who have received the appropriate training and criminal records disclosure checks. But all adults should contribute to the clubs overall duty of care by: being aware of their clubs safeguarding policy Safeguarding : West Kirby Sailing Club, being able to identify the Club Welfare Officer -Jane Thomas and Chelsea Renehan and know what to do if they are concerned about the way a child, young person, or a adult at risk is being treated.
What do I need to do?
The main thing is to treat everyone with respect as you would expect them to behave towards you. Follow your clubs code of conduct. On the water, race in accordance with the RYA Racing Charter which encourages fair, enjoyable, and safe racing for all, in compliance with the rules, and states that foul or abusive language, intimidation, aggressive behaviour or lack of respect for others and their property will not be tolerated.
For your own protection, avoid putting yourself in a situation that could be misinterpreted:
- Avoid using the changing room when there are children or young people there, or if its unavoidable make sure youre not the only adult in the changing room.
- Dont give a child a lift in your car unless its with their parents full knowledge and consent.
- Think very carefully before contacting a young person via mobile phone, e-mail, or social media. In general stick to group communications. If its essential to send an individual message, copy the communication to a parent and only communicate about organisational matters.
- Do not take, use, or share photos or videos of members that could be considered inappropriate, abusiveor cause harm or distress to the individual. Consent should be gained for all identifiable images of under 18 members.
What should I do if Im concerned about a child, young person or adult at risk?
A concern may involve the behaviour of:
- An adult towards a child or young person
- A child or young person towards another child or young person
- An adult towards another adult or adult at risk
- A child or young person towards an adult or adult at risk
Children and young people may confide in adults they trust or members of their peer group, in a place where they feel comfortable. If you are concerned about a child, young person or an adult, it is not your responsibility to investigate further, but it is your responsibility to act on your concerns and report them.
Listen to and make a record of anything they tell you or that you have observed. Only ask open non leading questions to clarify the facts, never promise to keep secrets and make it clear that you will need to tell someone else to help them. Pass the information to the clubs Welfare Officers who will follow your clubs procedures. Or visit the RYA What to do if you're worried pages on the RYA website or email safeguarding@wksc.org.uk or safeguarding@rya.org.uk
If you believe the child is at immediate risk of harm, you must call the Police immediately.
One thing to remember - Safeguarding is Everyones Responsibility
Last updated 18:58 on 18 February 2026