Safeguarding Policy for Club Stats Community

Introduction

Club Stats Community is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all users, especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This safeguarding policy outlines our approach to protecting these groups while using the Club Stats Community sports scheduling app.

1. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of children, young people, and vulnerable adults using Club Stats Community.
• Provide clear guidelines on how to identify, report, and address safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding awareness within our community.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All users of the Club Stats Community app.
• Staff, volunteers, and contractors associated with the app’s operations.
• Sports clubs, teams, and individuals using the app for scheduling, communicating, and sharing information.

3. Safeguarding Principles

• Child Protection: The welfare of children is paramount. All users and staff must take proactive steps to ensure the protection of young people.
• Inclusivity: Everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, race, religion, or sexual orientation, has the right to be treated with respect and protected from harm.
• Zero Tolerance: Club Stats Community has zero tolerance for any form of abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation.
• Confidentiality: All safeguarding concerns will be handled with utmost confidentiality, respecting privacy while ensuring appropriate action is taken.

4. User Guidelines and Responsibilities

• Account Setup: Users under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent to create an account and use the app.
• Communication: In-app communication tools must be used appropriately. Any inappropriate content, including abusive, sexual, or harassing messages, is strictly prohibited and may result in suspension or termination of the account.
• Data Protection: Personal data, especially that of minors, must not be shared publicly or misused. Club Stats Community is committed to GDPR compliance.
• Reporting Concerns: Users must report any safeguarding concerns they witness, experience, or suspect to the safeguarding team through the in-app reporting system. This could include bullying, harassment, or any form of abuse.

5. Safeguarding Procedures

• Incident Reporting: All safeguarding incidents or concerns must be reported to the dedicated safeguarding team. This can be done through the in-app reporting tool, email, or by contacting support directly.
• Investigation: Once a concern is raised, the safeguarding team will investigate the issue in line with our safeguarding protocol. Any illegal activity will be reported to the relevant authorities.
• Action: Depending on the outcome of the investigation, actions may range from a warning to the user, account suspension, or involvement of law enforcement or child protection agencies.

6. Code of Conduct for Club Stats Community Staff

All staff, volunteers, and contractors are required to:

• Undergo safeguarding training and background checks where appropriate.
• Maintain professional boundaries and never engage in inappropriate relationships or communication with minors.
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately and adhere to the safeguarding policy in full.

7. Training and Awareness

Club Stats Community is committed to:

• Providing safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers.
• Raising awareness about safeguarding issues among users and partners.

8. Monitoring and Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or when there are significant changes in legislation or app usage. We encourage feedback from users and staff to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

9. Contact Information

For any safeguarding concerns or queries, please contact:

• Safeguarding Officer: [email protected]
• Support Team: [email protected]
• Emergency: For urgent matters involving immediate danger, contact local law enforcement.