Introduction

As a sporting organisation providing services for children and young people, the London School of Basketball (LSB) recognises its duty to ensure that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.
• All children, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs, or sexual identity, have the right to protection from harm and abuse.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• All staff (paid/unpaid) working in sport have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.

Safeguarding is about preventing harm, while child protection is about responding to concerns that a child may have been harmed.

Staff and volunteers are not expected to investigate concerns or decide if abuse has occurred but are expected to report concerns immediately.

Policy Statement

The London School of Basketball has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in our activities. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account.

We will ensure the safety and protection of all children by:

• Adhering to this Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
• Recognising that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

Policy Aims

The aim of this policy is to:

• Promote good practice to ensure a safe environment.
• Provide children and young people with appropriate safety and protection.
• Allow all staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.

Promoting Good Practice

All personnel involved with the London School of Basketball must demonstrate exemplary behaviour to safeguard children and protect themselves from allegations.

Good practice includes:

• Working in an open environment with transparency and avoiding private, unobserved situations.
• Treating all young people and disabled adults equally, with respect and dignity.
• Prioritising the welfare of young people over winning or personal achievement.
• Maintaining appropriate physical and emotional boundaries.
• Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust.
• Making sport fun and promoting fair play.
• Providing necessary manual/physical support openly and with parental consent.
• Involving parents/carers where possible.
• Supervising changing rooms in pairs if necessary.
• Ensuring gender balance when taking mixed teams away.
• Being an excellent role model (no smoking, drinking, or inappropriate behaviour around children).
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback.
• Recognising the developmental needs of young people and not pushing them beyond their capabilities.
• Securing written parental consent for emergency medical treatment and transport.
• Keeping written records of injuries and treatment given.

Practices to avoid unless absolutely necessary and with consent:

• Spending time alone with children away from others.
• Taking or dropping off a child alone.

Practices never to be sanctioned:

• Rough, physical, or sexually provocative games.
• Sharing rooms with children.
• Inappropriate touching.
• Allowing inappropriate language.
• Making sexually suggestive comments.
• Reducing a child to tears as a form of control.
• Doing personal tasks for children they can do themselves.
• Inviting children to stay at your home unsupervised.

Use of Photographic/Filming Equipment

To protect children:

• Parents must be informed and provide consent for any videoing or photography.
• Professional photographers/videographers engaged by LSB must operate under clear guidelines.
• Parents or coaches must inform the Safeguarding Lead if any child must not be photographed.

Online Safety

• Staff must not have private online communication with children.
• All online interaction must be through official channels.
• Photographs and videos must be used respectfully and with consent.

Recruitment and Training of Staff and Volunteers

We will ensure safe recruitment by:

• All staff/volunteers completing an application form and self-declaration.
• Conducting Enhanced DBS checks with Barred List checks.
• Seeking two confidential references.
• Verifying identity.

Interview and Induction

All employees and volunteers will:

• Undergo an interview process.
• Complete full induction, including safeguarding awareness.
• Agree to adhere to the LSB Code of Conduct and Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Training

• Staff must complete safeguarding training recognised by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) or equivalent.
• Training must be refreshed every 3 years.
• Online safety training must be included.
• First aid training must be undertaken where appropriate.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The LSB has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) contactable via:

• Safeguarding Email: safeguarding@london-basketball.com

The DSL is responsible for managing safeguarding concerns and referrals.

Whistleblowing and Low-Level Concerns

• Staff and volunteers are encouraged to report any concerns about another staff member’s behaviour, however small.
• LSB operates a Low-Level Concerns Policy to identify concerning behaviour early.
• Whistleblowers will be protected and can escalate to the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline if needed.

Responding to Concerns

Concerns about poor practice:

• Report to the DSL.
• If concerns involve the DSL, escalate to the League Commissioner or Basketball England Safeguarding Lead.

Concerns about abuse:

• Report immediately to the DSL.
• DSL will refer to Children's Social Care or Police.
• Parents/carers will be informed after advice from authorities.
• The DSL will report to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 1 working day.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality must be maintained on a need-to-know basis in line with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

Internal Enquiries and Suspension

• The LSB Disciplinary Committee will review the situation.
• Suspension may occur pending investigation.
• Decision based on the balance of probabilities.

Support

• LSB will consider support for victims, accused individuals, and staff.
• Access to counselling services will be provided as appropriate.

Allegations of Previous Abuse

• Allegations made after the fact will be taken seriously and referred appropriately.

Bullying

• LSB will take all signs of bullying seriously.
• Staff will follow the safeguarding procedures to investigate and address.

Concerns Outside Immediate Sporting Environment

• Refer concerns to the DSL immediately.
• The DSL will liaise with external agencies as necessary.

Information for Authorities

The following information must be recorded and reported:

• Child’s details (name, DOB, address).
• Nature of concern.
• Factual account and any evidence.
• Details of witnesses.
• Parental contact status.

Referrals must be confirmed in writing within 24 hours.

Useful Contacts

• LSB Safeguarding Team Email: safeguarding@london-basketball.com
• Basketball England Safeguarding Lead: childprotection@basketballengland.co.uk
• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Protecting children is our priority.