The purpose of this policy is to:
o Ensure the safety and well-being of all children and young people involved in basketball activities.

o Establish standards of behaviour for coaches, staff, volunteers, and other adults involved in the program.

o Provide guidelines on responding to safeguarding concerns and reports.

This policy applies to:
o All coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, and staff involved in basketball training and events.

o Any person working with or responsible for young players (under 18 years of age) within the program.

We are committed to providing a safe, positive environment for young players, free from harm, abuse, or neglect. This policy is based on the principles of safeguarding
and the best interests of children.

o Coaches and Staff:
Responsible for understanding and implementing safeguarding protocols, attending safeguarding training, and reporting any concerns.

o Safeguarding Officer:
Responsible for overseeing safeguarding policy adherence, managing safeguarding issues, and coordinating with relevant authorities.

o Parents and Guardians:
Encouraged to be involved in their child's basketball activities and to report any safeguarding concerns.

All adults working with young players are expected to:
o Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity.

o Avoid any form of discrimination or favouritism.

o Never engage in inappropriate physical contact or personal relationships with young players.

o Avoid situations where they are alone with a young player outside of professional boundaries.

o Maintain professional boundaries in digital communications with young players (e.g., using team group chats rather than personal messages).

o Conduct regular risk assessments of all training and competition environments.

o Ensure that all staff have background checks (e.g., criminal record checks) as per legal and organizational requirements.

o Keep medical and emergency contact information for each player readily accessible.

o Ensure that at least one staff member is trained in first aid during any session.

o Vet all staff, volunteers, and assistants working with children through appropriate background checks.

o Conduct interviews and reference checks for all applicants.

o Train staff on safeguarding policies and mandatory reporting requirements.

o Reporting Procedure:
Any concerns about a child's safety or well-being should be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Officer.

o Documentation:
Maintain clear and accurate records of all reported safeguarding concerns, following confidentiality guidelines.

o Actions and Follow-Up:
The Safeguarding Officer will assess and, if necessary, escalate concerns to relevant authorities such as social services or law enforcement.

o Inform parents and guardians of all safeguarding policies and procedures.

o Encourage open communication with parents about their child’s progress and experiences.

o Seek parental consent for any off-site activities or one-to-one training sessions.

o Regular Training:
All coaches, volunteers, and staff must undergo safeguarding training every year.

o Awareness Programs:
Educate young players on personal safety, boundaries, and appropriate ways to seek help if they feel unsafe.

o Maintain confidentiality in all safeguarding concerns, only sharing information with those who need to know.

o Keep records of any safeguarding incidents in a secure location, adhering to data protection regulations.

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, or more frequently, if necessary, to ensure it remains effective and up-to-date with relevant legal requirements and
best practices. By implementing this policy, our basketball coaching program can better protect young athletes, creating a safe and positive environment for them to grow
and develop in the sport.