Responsibility for Policy: Committee  

Policy approved: December 2025

Review due: December 2026

Policy Statement

Woking Squash Club acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults participating in squash. The Club is committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and positive environment where all individuals can enjoy squash free from abuse, neglect, bullying, or exploitation.

This policy adopts and supports the England Squash Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Code of Conduct, and is consistent with:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children

• The Care Act 2014

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals involved with Woking Squash Club, including:

• Members (adult and junior)

• Coaches, officials, and volunteers

• Committee members

• Parents, carers, and spectators

• Visiting teams and guests

Safeguarding Principles

Woking Squash Club is guided by the following principles:

• The welfare of children and vulnerable adults is paramount

• All participants have the right to be safe, protected, and listened to

• All forms of abuse are unacceptable

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

• Concerns will be acted upon promptly and appropriately

Definitions of Abuse

Abuse may include, but is not limited to:

• Physical abuse

• Emotional or psychological abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Neglect

• Bullying or harassment (including online abuse)

Roles and Responsibilities

Club Committee

The Club Committee has overall responsibility for safeguarding and will:

• Ensure this policy is implemented and reviewed annually

• Appoint a suitably trained Club Welfare Officer

• Ensure safe recruitment and appropriate DBS checks for coaches and volunteers

• Act on safeguarding concerns in line with England Squash procedures

Club Welfare Officer

The Welfare Officer will:

• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns

• Maintain confidentiality in line with data protection requirements

• Liaise with England Squash and statutory agencies where required

• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recorded securely

Coaches and Volunteers

All coaches and volunteers must:

• Hold appropriate qualifications and DBS checks

• Adhere to England Squash Codes of Conduct

• Place the welfare of participants above performance

• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately

Good Practice Guidelines

Woking Squash Club expects all adults working with juniors to:

• Avoid being alone with a child where possible

• Use appropriate language and behaviour at all times

• Ensure sessions are properly supervised

• Respect physical and emotional boundaries

Photography and Filming

• Consent must be obtained before photographing or filming juniors

• Images will be used only for legitimate club purposes

• Personal details will not be published alongside images

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Any concern, suspicion, or disclosure of abuse must be reported immediately.

1. Report concerns to the Club Welfare Officer as soon as possible

2. If the Welfare Officer is unavailable, contact a Committee member

3. The Welfare Officer will follow England Squash safeguarding procedures

In an emergency or where a child is at immediate risk, contact the police or social services directly.

Concerns may also be reported directly to England Squash Safeguarding.

Confidentiality

All safeguarding matters will be handled sensitively and confidentially. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis, in line with safeguarding requirements.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or England Squash guidance changes.