Safeguarding & Protection Policy

Chance Partnership

1. Policy Statement

Chance Partnership is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk who engage with our services in sport and mentoring environments.

We recognise our responsibility to provide a safe, professional, and supportive environment for all individuals. Our approach aligns with relevant UK safeguarding legislation and best practice standards across sport and mentoring sectors.

We believe that:
- The welfare of the individual is paramount.
- Everyone has the right to protection from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
- Concerns and allegations must be responded to promptly and appropriately.

This policy applies to all directors, staff, contractors, consultants, volunteers, and partners representing Chance Partnership.

2. Scope

This policy covers all services delivered by Chance Partnership, including but not limited to:

- Welfare support, mentoring, transition and career guidance
- Education and personal development support
- Support for participants across all sports (team, individual, community, elite)
- Youth athletes, scholars, adult athletes and professionals
- Coaching, training, residential programmes, travel and events
- In-person and online interactions
- Collaboration with clubs, academies, sports organisations, agencies and families

3. Definitions

Child: A person under 18 years of age.
Adult at Risk: A person aged 18 or over who, due to vulnerability, may be unable to protect themselves from harm.
Safeguarding: The actions taken to promote welfare and protect individuals from harm.

Abuse may include physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, online abuse, financial exploitation, coercion, bullying and harassment.

4. Safeguarding Responsibilities

Chance Partnership will:

- Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Ensure appropriate background checks (e.g., DBS checks)
- Provide safeguarding training and induction to all staff and associates
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times
- Act swiftly and appropriately on concerns
- Keep accurate, confidential records of concerns and actions taken

Everyone associated with Chance Partnership must:

- Follow this policy
- Report safeguarding concerns without delay
- Not investigate allegations themselves
- Maintain professionalism in all interactions

5. Reporting Procedures

If a safeguarding concern arises:

1. Ensure the immediate safety of the individual.
2. Report the concern to the DSL promptly.
3. The DSL will assess and decide the appropriate course of action, which may include:
   - Referral to statutory services (children’s services or adult social care)
   - Referral to the police (if there is immediate danger)
   - Informing relevant sports organisations or governing bodies
   - Informing the individual’s club, academy or family (where appropriate)

Records should be factual and stored securely.

6. Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Safeguarding concerns will be shared on a need-to-know basis only. Confidentiality is important, but it must never prevent appropriate information sharing to protect someone from harm.

All information will be handled in accordance with data protection laws.

7. Professional Boundaries

All representatives must:

- Maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries with participants
- Avoid private communication that lacks professional oversight
- Use approved communication channels
- Not give personal lifts, accommodation or financial help without documented consent and oversight
- Respect the safeguarding policies of partner organisations

8. Online Safety

Chance Partnership will:

- Use professional accounts and approved platforms for communication
- Avoid personal account contact with minors
- Educate participants about digital risks, exploitation and reputation management
- Maintain appropriate records of online activity where necessary

9. Safer Recruitment

Chance Partnership commits to:

- Conducting relevant background checks
- Verifying identity and references
- Providing safeguarding induction and training for all new staff

10. Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation against a member of staff or associate will be taken seriously, reported to the DSL, and managed in line with statutory safeguarding procedures. Authorities may be informed where required.

Staff may be suspended pending investigation.

11. Monitoring & Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if legislation or organisational changes require it.

12. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Name: Sophia Leventis
Position: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Telephone: 07778119446
Email: Sophia@chancepartnership.com

Declaration

Chance Partnership is committed to fostering a culture where safeguarding is integral to everything we do, across all sports and mentoring services.