Safeguarding

General Principles

Cardiff Volleyball Club (hereafter referred to as CVC) is committed to ensuring all members under the age of 18 can participate in volleyball and events run by the club (e.g. training sessions, games) in a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment. This policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children:

• Have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at CVC in a safe and child-centred environment
• Are protected from abuse and any other form of misconduct whilst participating in volleyball or outside of the activity

Responsibilities of those within Volleyball

All individuals involved in CVC, including coaches, volunteers, committee members and assistants, have a responsibility to:

• Prioritise the safety and well-being of all 
• Complete appropriate safeguarding training
• Understand and follow this policy and related procedures
• Report concerns or disclosures promptly to the Club Welfare Officer
• Model respectful and safe behaviour at all times

Guidance and Legislation

This policy complies with relevant UK legislation and guidance, including:

• Children Act (1989; 2004)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)
• NSPCC and Sport England safeguarding standards
• Volleyball England’s Safeguarding & Protecting Children Policy v2

Welfare Officer

The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns within CVC. Their responsibilities include handling disclosures, supporting affected individuals, maintaining records and escalating serious cases to statutory authorities or Volleyball England as appropriate. Contact details are maintained on the club’s website and must be accessible to all members.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Policy

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 has introduced new safeguarding and vetting requirements affecting individuals who have contact with children and young people. The DBS allows Volleyball England and affiliated groups to make informed recruitment decisions. Any individuals wishing to work with young people in volleyball are subject to an enhanced DBS check and/or barred list check (where eligible).

All CVC coaches undertake enhanced DBS checks to ensure the safety of all our members and suitability to work with under 18’s.

Photographic & Recorded Images Policy

The use of photographs and recorded images can be extremely useful for positively celebrating the success of young people in volleyball and assisting with training. CVC does not wish to prevent parents, spectators or coaches from being able to take legitimate photographs or recorded images. However, CVC is committed to protecting young people from the inappropriate or uninformed use of their image in resources, media publications, on the internet and elsewhere.

Photos and videos intended for use on social media, for training purposes, or in other official CVC activities will only be recorded by club members who have completed the Volleyball England–adapted SP4 Photography and Video Recording Registration Form. Such media will only feature individuals who have provided appropriate consent, as indicated on the CVC enrolment form (or by a parent/guardian in the case of children). 

While the club takes all reasonable steps to safeguard those who have not consented to be recorded, it is important to acknowledge that CVC cannot control or prevent spectators or members of the public from capturing images or videos during events. However, any such media will not be used, shared, or published by CVC through its platforms or for any official purpose unless consent has been obtained in line with club policy. 

Images and videos captured by authorised CVC members will reflect the positive values of volleyball, including teamwork, fair play, enjoyment and achievement. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that images are appropriate and respectful, and not open to misinterpretation or misuse. 

Photographs and recordings of young people will be stored securely and used only for approved purposes. When such images are published, particularly online or on social media, care will be taken to ensure that no identifying information (such as full names, contact details, or school affiliations) is included that could facilitate direct contact with a young person.

Electronic Communication & Social Media Policy

CVC does not wish to prevent communication between adults and young people and understands that communication is important in a young person’s development and membership of a team, club or organisation. However, to ensure safety, the following statements must be followed:

• All electronic communication between adults and members under 18 must include a copy to a third-party, i.e. parent or guardian
• Group messages with members under 18 are permitted as long as the welfare officer is included, and consent has been given from parents or guardians (see enrolment form)
• All contact between adults and those under 18 will be strictly limited to volleyball matters only

Anti-Bullying Policy

CVC is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment. Bullying of any kind, verbal, physical, emotional or online, is not tolerated. All allegations will be taken seriously and dealt with promptly, with appropriate support offered to those affected. 

An attempt will be made to address and change the bullying behaviour through appropriate support measures such as mediation, training or mentoring. If the situation cannot be resolved through these means, the matter may be escalated and managed following Volleyball England’s Grievance and Disciplinary Policy.

Everyone has a role to play in promoting respect and challenging unacceptable behaviour.

To achieve this, CVC and its members will adhere to the club’s values and will:

• Ensure that a young-person-centred environment is created during activities
• Promote justice and equality in all activities
• Establish clear ground rules/boundaries for activities
• Ensure that all staff, coaches, volunteers and officials are offered appropriate training on behaviour management and bullying awareness
• Work towards continuously improving the quality of activities

CVC Reporting Procedures

All safeguarding concerns should be reported immediately to the Club Welfare Officer, either in person, via email, or using the incident reporting form on the club’s website. If the concern involves or relates to the Club Welfare Officer, the matter should instead be referred directly to the Club Chair.

If the concern involves immediate risk or harm, statutory services (e.g., police or local authority) should be contacted directly.

All reports will be recorded securely and treated in confidence, with only those who need to know being informed. CVC will support any individual who raises or is subject to a safeguarding concern.

General Principles

CVC is committed to ensuring that all adults, including those who may be at risk, participate in volleyball in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. This policy outlines the club’s approach to safeguarding adults and reflects national best practice and legislation, including guidance provided by Volleyball England.

Purpose and Scope

This policy applies to all members of CVC, including coaches, volunteers, committee members and players. It aims to ensure all adults, particularly those who may be considered adults at risk, are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation while engaging in club activities.

Definition of an Adult at Risk 

An adult at risk is defined by the Care Act 2014 as someone aged 18 or over who:

• Has needs for care and support
• Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
• As a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect

Types of Abuse

CVC recognises all forms of abuse outlined in the Care Act 2014:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Financial or material abuse
• Neglect and acts of omission
• Discriminatory abuse
• Domestic abuse
• Organisational abuse
• Modern slavery
• Self-neglect

Responsibilities

All CVC members are responsible for safeguarding adults and:

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Reporting concerns without delay to the Club Welfare Officer
• Supporting the creation of a positive and safe environment

Welfare Officer

The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns within CVC. Their responsibilities include handling disclosures, supporting affected individuals, maintaining records and escalating serious cases to statutory authorities or Volleyball England as appropriate. Contact details are maintained on the club’s website and must be accessible to all members.

Safe recruitment and training

CVC is committed to safer recruitment procedures. All individuals working directly with adults at risk will undergo appropriate checks, including a DBS check if applicable, and will receive safeguarding training.

Anti-Bullying Policy

CVC is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment. Bullying of any kind, verbal, physical, emotional or online, is not tolerated. All allegations will be taken seriously and dealt with promptly, with appropriate support offered to those affected. 

An attempt will be made to address and change the bullying behaviour through appropriate support measures such as mediation, training or mentoring. If the situation cannot be resolved through these means, the matter may be escalated and managed following Volleyball England’s Grievance and Disciplinary Policy.

Everyone has a role to play in promoting respect and challenging unacceptable behaviour.

To achieve this, CVC and its members will adhere to the Club’s Values and will:

• Promote justice and equality in all activities

• Establish clear ground rules/boundaries for activities

• Ensure that all staff, coaches, volunteers and officials are offered appropriate training on behaviour management and bullying awareness

• Work towards continuously improving the quality of activities

CVC Reporting Procedures

All safeguarding concerns should be reported immediately to the Club Welfare Officer, either in person, via email, or using the incident reporting form on the club’s website. If the concern involves or relates to the Club Welfare Officer, the matter should instead be referred directly to the Club Chair.

If the concern involves immediate risk or harm, statutory services (e.g., police or local authority) should be contacted directly.

All reports will be recorded securely and treated in confidence, with only those who need to know being informed. CVC will support any individual who raises or is subject to a safeguarding concern.

If you would like to report a safeguarding incident you can fill out the downloadable form below, and send it to safeguarding@cardiff.vc