Safeguarding Policy

kids karate Leeds

karate for beginners Leeds

adult martial arts Leeds

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Affiliation: JKA England
Policy Version: 1.0
Effective Date: September 2026 - Under Review
Review Date: September 2026 - Under Review

1. Policy Statement

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all members. The welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk is our highest priority.

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard all participants and are committed to:

Promoting the safety and wellbeing of all members.
Protecting children and adults at risk from abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation.
Creating an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Ensuring that safeguarding concerns are dealt with promptly and appropriately.
Working in accordance with JKA England safeguarding requirements and UK legislation.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all instructors, volunteers, committee members, parents, and club members are expected to share this commitment.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All club members.
Instructors and assistant instructors.
Volunteers and coaches.
Committee members and club officials.
Parents, guardians, and carers.
Visitors attending club activities or events.

3. Legal Framework

This policy is based upon and supports the principles within:

Children Act 1989 and 2004.
Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
Care Act 2014.
Equality Act 2010.
Data Protection Act 2018.
Relevant safeguarding guidance issued by JKA England.

4. Safeguarding Principles

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club believes that:

Every child has the right to participate in karate safely.
The welfare of the child is paramount.
All children and adults at risk deserve equal protection, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or background.
Everyone involved with the club has a role to play in safeguarding.

5. Welfare Officer

The club will appoint a designated Welfare Officer who will act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

Welfare Officer Details

Name: Stephen Riley

Telephone: 07905 852328

Email: info@leedsshotokankarate.co.uk

The Welfare Officer's responsibilities include:

Receiving and recording safeguarding concerns.
Liaising with JKA England and relevant authorities.
Maintaining confidentiality where appropriate.
Ensuring safeguarding policies are followed and regularly reviewed.

6. Responsibilities

Club Committee

The committee will:

Promote a safe culture throughout the club.
Ensure safeguarding policies remain current.
Support the Welfare Officer.
Ensure appropriate DBS checks are completed where required.

Instructors and Volunteers

All instructors and volunteers must:

Put the welfare of participants first.
Follow the club's safeguarding policies.
Maintain professional boundaries.
Report concerns without delay.
Act as positive role models.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians should:

Support club safeguarding procedures.
Provide up-to-date emergency contact information.
Inform instructors of any medical or welfare concerns.

7. Safe Recruitment

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club is committed to safe recruitment practices and will:

Verify qualifications and coaching credentials.
Obtain references where appropriate.
Ensure eligible instructors and volunteers hold an Enhanced DBS check.
Encourage safeguarding and first aid training.

8. Recognising Abuse

Abuse can take many forms, including:

Physical Abuse

Deliberately causing physical harm or injury.

Emotional Abuse

Persistent criticism, intimidation, humiliation, threats, or bullying.

Sexual Abuse

Any sexual activity imposed on a child or vulnerable person.

Neglect

Failure to provide appropriate care, supervision, or support.

Bullying

Including:

Physical bullying
Verbal abuse
Online bullying
Social exclusion

The club operates a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.

9. Good Practice

All instructors and volunteers should:

Treat all members with fairness and respect.
Use appropriate language at all times.
Ensure activities are conducted in an open environment.
Encourage positive behaviour and discipline.
Avoid situations where they are alone with a child whenever reasonably possible.
Listen to and respect the views of children and young people.

10. Unacceptable Behaviour

The following conduct is unacceptable:

Bullying, intimidation, or harassment.
Physical punishment.
Inappropriate physical contact.
Inappropriate language or behaviour.
Favouritism.
Developing inappropriate relationships with members.
Contacting junior members through personal social media accounts.
Ignoring safeguarding concerns.

Any breaches may result in disciplinary action and referral to appropriate authorities.

11. Photography and Video

To protect members:

Parents and guardians should be informed when photography or filming is taking place.
Images must be appropriate and respectful.
Personal details must not be linked to photographs without consent.
Concerns regarding photography should be reported to the Welfare Officer.

12. Online Safety and Social Media

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club expects all members, instructors, and volunteers to act responsibly online.

Instructors and volunteers must:

Use official club communication channels where possible.
Avoid one-to-one private messaging with junior members.
Include parents or guardians in communications with children where appropriate.
Report any online safeguarding concerns immediately.

13. Reporting Concerns

Any safeguarding concern, no matter how small, should be reported immediately.

If a child or adult is in immediate danger:

Call 999 immediately.

Concerns should then be reported to:

The Club Welfare Officer.
JKA England, where appropriate.
Local Authority Children's Services or Adult Social Care.
Police, where necessary.

14. Responding to a Disclosure

If someone tells you they are being harmed:

Stay calm.
Listen carefully.
Take what they say seriously.
Reassure them they have done the right thing by speaking up.
Record the information accurately.
Report it immediately.

Do Not

Promise confidentiality.
Investigate the matter yourself.
Ask leading questions.
Confront the alleged individual.

15. Record Keeping

The club will:

Keep safeguarding records secure and confidential.
Restrict access to those with a legitimate need to know.
Retain records in accordance with legal and organisational requirements.

16. Allegations Against Staff, Instructors or Volunteers

Any allegation made against an instructor, volunteer, or club official will be:

Taken seriously.
Reported immediately to the Welfare Officer.
Referred to JKA England and statutory agencies where appropriate.
Managed fairly and confidentially.

Temporary suspension from duties may be considered whilst investigations are undertaken.

17. Whistleblowing

Anyone involved with Leeds Shotokan Karate Club is encouraged to report concerns regarding unsafe, unethical, or unlawful conduct without fear of reprisal.

18. Training

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club will:

Encourage safeguarding awareness among all members.
Ensure the Welfare Officer receives appropriate training.
Support instructors in maintaining safeguarding knowledge and best practice.

19. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

Legislation changes.
JKA England updates its safeguarding requirements.
A safeguarding incident highlights the need for review.

Policy Adoption

This policy was adopted by:

Club Name: Leeds Shotokan Karate Club

Chairperson: Richard Backhouse

Signature: To Follow

Date: September 2026

Club Welfare Officer: Stephen Riley

Signature: To Follow

Date: September 2026

Important Contacts:

Emergency Services: 999

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111

JKA England Safeguarding Officer

David Burns
Lead Safeguarding Officer, JKA England
Email: safeguarding@jka-england.org
Telephone: 07717 576859
Website: https://www.jka-england.org/safeguarding-governance/safeguarding/

Leeds City Council Children's Social Work Services

Duty and Advice Team
Telephone: 0113 376 0336 (Monday to Friday)
Emergency Duty Team: 0113 535 0600 (Out of Hours)