Welfare Officer: Adele Knight 

Status of Policy Statutory Head Coach:Steve Preston

Review Cycle: Every 3 years Next Review: September 2026

Safeguarding is EVERYONE’s responsibility. Share your concerns.

Meet the Team:

Our Club’s Vision and Offer

At Cycle Stars, we are passionate about cycling and realise its full potential in developing children’s fitness, and well-being, as well as shaping young athletes into strong, competitive racers, across a range of disciplines – Road, Cyclecross and Time Trialling.

We cater for all ages, and abilities, and build a club ethos based on fun, friendship and belonging.
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     Adele Knight         Stephen Preston  

Welfare Officer           Head Coach 

Introduction:

Cycle Stars is committed to ensuring that everyone participating in cycling does so in a safe and enjoyable environment. To this extent we recognise that safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of children, is the responsibility of EVERYONE at Cycle Stars, irrespective of their role, be that a coach, paid or voluntary, a parent, spectator or participant. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, we make sure our approach is child-centred. This means that we should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Children have the right to be protected from harm and this policy sets out the commitment that Cycle Stars has made to this right.

Section 1

1.1 Aim and Scope of Policy

The overall aim of the policy is to ensure that everyone participating in the sport does so in a safe environment that supports children and young people to meet their potential. We will therefore ensure;

•   The welfare of riders is a planned for, primary concern, during all coaching and cycling activities

•   Awareness of the Club’s Codes of Conduct for staff, volunteers, coaches, members (juniors and

  adults) and parents.

•   Appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare

•   All members of the Cycle Stars Club are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to

  safeguarding and child protection

•   Club staff, paid or voluntary, are properly trained in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues

  This policy aims to ensure all those involved in Cycle Stars Club understand, and follow, the procedures relating to the reporting of concerns about a child.

  1.2 Principles and Expectations

  The welfare of children is paramount (A child is defined by law in England and Wales as a person under the age of 18 years). It is important to value, listen to and respect children’s views and opinions. All children, regardless

  of age, gender, disability or background, have equal right to protection. Some children may have additional vulnerabilities because of disabilities, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues; making it ever more important that we work in partnership with children, their parents, carers and other agencies to promote children’s welfare.

  With this in mind, Cycle Stars Club will;

•   Maintain and continue to create an environment in which all children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected and where they can learn and fully develop

•   Establish, and maintain, an environment where children are encouraged to talk and are listened to when they have a worry or concern. Ensure children know they can approach a trusted adult at Cycle Stars if they are worried or upset.

•   Ensure the children, in our club, are equipped with the skills they need to keep themselves safe. 

•   Ensure all adults in our club maintain a culture of vigilance and have an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned and that when issues arise about the welfare of a child, club members always act in the interests of the child and inform the Club’s Welfare Officer immediately.

•   Establish and maintain an environment where club staff, and volunteers, are encouraged to share, and are listened to, when they have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child.

•   Ensure that everyone – children and adults, know the procedures for reporting a concern or making a child protection referral and that the Club’s Coaches and Designated Welfare Officers are well equipped to spot signs of abuse or a child in need of help for a variety of reasons.

•   Include opportunities, in the club’s training offer, for children to develop the skills they need to reflect on their well-being, recognise harm and stay safe

•   Ensure that children and their parents are informed and consulted, where appropriate, and fully involved in decisions that affect them.

•   Ensure that everyone involved in a role with children, paid or voluntary, have been through appropriate pre-recruitment checks (The Primary Welfare Officer has Safer Recruitment Training)

•   Ensure any unsuitable behaviour is reported and managed quickly using the Allegations Management procedures.

  1.3 Responsibilities and Implementation

  Cycle Stars will work to promote the principles of safeguarding children by:

  • Aligning its policy with that of British Cycling’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

  https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/rulebook/2018/22._Safeguarding_Children_and_Young_People_2021.pdf

  • Reviewing its policy and procedures every three years or whenever there is a major change in legislation or a significant organisational change.

  • Giving guidance on appropriate recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of volunteers and staff working with children and vulnerable groups.

  • Following procedures to report welfare concerns and allegations about the behaviour of adults and ensure that all staff, volunteers, parents and participants including children are aware of these procedures.

  • Ensuring Welfare Officers, coaches and volunteers have appropriate safeguarding training, where this is appropriate to their role.

  • Acknowledging the additional vulnerability of some groups of children (e.g. disabled, looked after children, those with communication difficulties). Ensuring that the environment is appropriate for the child and tailored to their needs.

  • Helping members understand their responsibilities through the provision of clear guidance and support.

  • Continually developing safeguarding practices, with Club Welfare Officers taking the lead on responsibility for safeguarding and protecting children.

  Section 2 – Definitions

 

What is Safeguarding and what is Child Protection? Safeguarding and child protection are terms which are often used interchangeably; however, they are different.

2.1 What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the proactive promotion of child welfare and positive development. It is an embedded culture where well-being and safety is planned for, and practiced, at all times, in everything the club does.

2.2 What is Child Protection?

Child protection is the reactive protection of specific children from abuse. Child protection is protecting specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer from, significant harm.

Section 3 – Statutory Framework 2.1 Criminal Records Checks

All coaches, paid or voluntary, will go through Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks through British Cycling. These will be renewed every three years.

2.2 Training

All club coaches will undertake safeguarding and child protection training at induction, including whistleblowing procedures, to ensure they understand the club’s safeguarding systems and their responsibilities. They will be trained to identify signs of possible harm, abuse or neglect. This training will be regularly updated and will be in line with national Governing Body Guidance.

The Head Coach and Welfare Officers will undertake accredited British Cycling Safeguarding and Chid Protection Training (Safe Wheel). Adele Knight holds Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Inter-agency Child Protection Certification, which is re-newed every 3 years.

Section 4 – Complaints, Concerns and Allegations

The Primary Welfare Officer (Adele Knight) will always be available for club stakeholders (in person, telephone or through email) to discuss any safeguarding concerns. 

If any individual has a concern about the welfare of a child, or the conduct of another person (whether they are an adult or child, parent, coach, member or otherwise), these concerns should be brought to the attention of the Welfare Officer without delay. The person reporting the concern is not required to decide whether abuse has occurred, but simply has a duty to share their concerns, and any relevant information, with the club’s Welfare Officer. The Welfare Officer is trained to determine whether this needs to be reported on to the British Cycling Lead Safeguarding Officer.

Section 5 – Whistleblowing in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA)

What should I do if I have concerns about a member of the Cycle Stars staff working with children?

Cycle Stars is fully supportive of 'whistle blowing' for the sake of the child, and will provide support and protect those who 'whistle blow'.

While it is difficult to express concerns about coaches, volunteers or colleagues, it is important that these concerns are communicated to the designated Welfare Officer. All staff, paid or voluntary, are encouraged to talk to the designated Welfare Officer if they become aware of anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or are concerned about.

If however your concern is about one of the designated Welfare Officers, you should report this to the Head Coach. It will then be his responsibility to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01452 426994 for a discussion.