Safeguarding

Wiltshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk, that take part in sport and leisure activities within our leisure facilities.   

Our Safeguarding policy encompasses children, young people and adults at risk, aiming to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all participants have a positive and enjoyable experience, and activities within our leisure centres are provided in a safe and secure environment. 

We will seek to keep children, young people and adults at risk safe by: 

  • Promoting and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk; 

  • Recruiting all our staff and volunteers carefully, ensuring Disclosure & Barring Service checks are undertaken as appropriate, and they hold relevant qualifications and certification; 

  • Training staff to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding; 

  • Ensuring staff recognise signs of abuse and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children and adults at risk in their care; 

  • Stipulating that clubs and hirers have safeguarding measures in place as appropriate; 

  • Appointing designated ‘Safeguarding Leads’ who will take specific responsibility for safeguarding and act as the main point of contact for staff, parents, families, carers, children and external agencies; 

  • Providing parents, families, carers and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have; 

  • Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, utilising our safeguarding procedure to manage any allegations appropriately; 

  • Recording and storing information professionally and securely; and 

  • Working together with Clients, and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs and other agencies as appropriate. 

If you have a safeguarding or welfare concern at any time during your visit to our facilities, please speak to a member of staff immediately who will liaise with a designated safeguarding lead to support with any appropriate action.