SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY

Joy Strength Studio

1. Policy Statement

Joy Strength Studio is committed to providing a safe, supportive and positive environment for all children and young people participating in activities at the studio.

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people and to protect them from harm, abuse or exploitation.

All children have the right to participate in sport and physical activity in a safe and enjoyable environment.

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to:

  • Strong Girls youth strength training classes

  • Any activities involving participants under the age of 18

  • Any crèche provision or childcare services operating within the premises

This policy applies to all staff, coaches, volunteers and contractors working at Joy Strength Studio.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Joy Strength Studio is: Jen Oldmeadow, Owner / Coach

Responsibilities include:

  • acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns

  • ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed

  • maintaining safeguarding documentation

  • responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and seeking advice where necessary

If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead at: hello@joystrengthstudio.co.uk

If a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, emergency services should be contacted immediately.

Advice can also be sought from organisations such as the NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000).

4. Safeguarding Principles

Joy Strength Studio is committed to:

  • treating all children with respect and dignity

  • providing a safe environment for participation

  • ensuring activities are appropriate for the age and ability of participants

  • listening to children and taking concerns seriously

  • responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns

5. Safer Working Practices

Staff and coaches will:

  • maintain appropriate professional boundaries

  • treat all participants equally and fairly

  • ensure activities are appropriate for the age and ability of participants

  • ensure sessions take place in open and observable environments

  • avoid situations where they are alone with a child in a private or closed space where possible

Parents or guardians must complete consent and health forms before a child participates.

6. Professional Boundaries and Communication

Coaches must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all children and young people.

Communication with participants under 18 should take place through parents or guardians wherever possible, particularly outside of scheduled sessions.

Coaches should not communicate privately with children through personal messaging platforms or social media accounts.

Any communication regarding training, schedules or studio activities should normally be directed to the parent or guardian.

7. Supervision

Children attending Strong Girls sessions will be supervised by a qualified coach at all times during the scheduled session.

Where a crèche operates within the premises, childcare staff will be responsible for supervision of children within that service.

8. Arrival and Collection of Children

Parents or guardians remain responsible for children until they are handed over to the supervising coach at the start of the session.

Children should be collected promptly at the end of the session by a parent or authorised adult.

Joy Strength Studio coaches are responsible for children only during the scheduled session time.

Parents or guardians must inform the studio in advance if a child will be leaving independently after the session.

If a child is not collected within a reasonable period after the session has ended, the studio will attempt to contact the parent or guardian using the emergency contact details provided.

9. Photography and Social Media

Photography or video of children may only take place with parent or guardian consent.

Images used for promotional purposes will:

  • be appropriate and respectful

  • avoid identifying personal information

  • focus on the activity rather than the individual child

10. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include:

  • physical abuse

  • emotional abuse

  • neglect

  • sexual abuse

  • bullying or inappropriate behaviour

Concerns may arise from:

  • a child disclosing information

  • observed behaviour

  • changes in behaviour or wellbeing

11. Reporting Concerns

Any safeguarding concern should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

All concerns will be taken seriously and handled appropriately.

If a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, appropriate authorities should be contacted immediately.

12. Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

Information will only be shared where necessary to protect the welfare of the child.

13. Review

This policy will be reviewed: 

  • annually

  • when activities involving children change

  • following any safeguarding incident or concern

Signed:

Jen Oldmeadow

Owner, Joy Strength Studio