Safeguarding Policy

Our commitment

Temple Martial Arts makes a positive contribution to a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe. We are committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults across all our clubs and activities.

This policy applies to all TMA activities including martial arts classes, coaching courses, events, birthday parties, and seminars. It establishes a framework to support all paid and unpaid staff and franchisees in their practices.

What safeguarding means

Safeguarding is about embedding practices throughout our organisation to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults wherever possible. A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

Types of abuse we safeguard against

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Bullying
• Neglect
• Financial or material abuse

Safe recruitment

We take recruitment seriously. Every person working with children or vulnerable adults at TMA goes through a thorough vetting process.

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all staff working with children and vulnerable adults
• Portable or carry-over DBS checks from another employer are not accepted
• No formal job offers are made until DBS and two references are completed
• All coaching team members over the age of 16 require at minimum a volunteer DBS check
• DBS disclosures are renewed every 2 years
• Interviews follow equal opportunity principles with questions based on role requirements

Training and support

All TMA staff who have contact with children or vulnerable adults receive safeguarding training at an appropriate level.

• All franchisees are expected to gain an accredited qualification in safeguarding
• Induction includes discussion of the safeguarding policy, reporting processes, and safe working practices
• Staff have ongoing access to safeguarding training and resources
• Debriefing support is available for staff involved in safeguarding situations

Responsibilities

All staff — paid and unpaid — have a responsibility to follow this policy, pass on any welfare concerns, and be a positive role model.

Our Designated Senior Manager is responsible for ensuring the policy is in place, accessible, implemented, and regularly reviewed. Franchisees are responsible for adhering to the policy at club level, keeping their DBS checks up to date, and reporting any safeguarding concerns immediately.

Professional boundaries

Temple Martial Arts expects all staff to maintain clear professional boundaries. This includes:

• No personal relationships between staff and current service users
• No giving or receiving gifts from clients (gifts may be provided by the organisation as part of planned activities)
• No sharing of personal contact details with service users
• No personal contact with clients on social networking sites
• Zero tolerance for abusive language or inappropriate behaviour

Reporting concerns

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child or vulnerable adult at a TMA club, we take it seriously and act on it. The reporting process is:

• Communicate your concerns with your immediate manager or safeguarding officer
• Seek medical attention for the individual if needed
• Discuss with the parents of a child, or directly with a vulnerable adult
• Obtain permission to make a referral if safe and appropriate
• If needed, seek advice from the Children and Families helpdesk or Adults helpdesk
• Complete the Local Authority Safeguarding Incident Report Form if required (within 24 hours)

Temple Martial Arts recognises its legal duty to report concerns about unsafe practice to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Managing information

Information is gathered, recorded, and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act. All staff are aware that they have a professional duty to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Information is shared on a need-to-know basis only, as judged by the Designated Senior Manager.

Policy review

This policy is reviewed annually and whenever there are changes in legislation. It is available on display at each club.

Legislation

This policy is governed by the following legislation:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010
• The Children Act 1989
• The Adoption and Children Act 2002
• The Children Act 2004
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Care Standards Act 2000
• Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
• The Police Act (CRB) 1997

Contact

If you have a safeguarding concern or need more information about our policy, please contact us:

privacy@tmanorth.com

Manchester Martial Arts Ltd, Manchester, UK