Safeguarding policy and reporting
British Dressage places the highest priority on safety within the sport and recognises that it has a duty of care towards children (Children’s Act 1989), young people and adults at risk, irrespective of age, any disability they have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity.
British Dressage, as part of the British Equestrian Federation, takes Safeguarding very seriously and together with the other member bodies forms a Safeguarding Action Team (SAT). SAT works together in collaboration to share best practice, produce policy and procedures to ensure the safety of all participants, as well as actively promoting safeguarding through education.
Children want to be respected, their views to be heard, to have stable relationships with professionals built on trust and for consistent support provided for their needs. This should guide the behaviour of professionals. Anyone working with children should see and speak to the child; listen to what they say; take their views seriously; and work with them collaboratively when deciding how to support their needs.
Safeguarding Policies
To protect our participants, British Dressage has a number of policies in place and fully adopts the British Equestrian Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults at Risk.
BEF SAFEGUARDING POLICY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
BEF SAFEGUARDING POLICY ADULTS AT RISK
The policies are in place across all member bodies and we work collectively to ensure the policies are embedded and best practices are promoted.
Reporting and advice
If you think a person may be in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call the police immediately on 999 or contact the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unite helpline on 0116 366 5580.
If you have concerns or require some guidance, there are a number of options. For confidential advice, or to report a concern or incident, please email Lead Safeguarding Officer, Charlotte Osborne.
For general Safeguarding queries & information please contact Sharon Weir or Hannah James on 02476 698834 or email the safeguading email.
Alternatively, you can talk to the BEF regarding a Safeguarding concern - please contact their Safeguarding lead or call 02476 698871.
If you want to talk to someone else you can call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
Safe to play
British Equestrian in collaboration with the member bodies have launched a Safe to Play campaign. Aimed at coaches, parents, participants and volunteers involved in the sector, the campaign’s objective is to ensure that everyone is aware of signs of abuse, how to report concerns and how to keep everyone safe while enjoying the sport they love.
The Safe to Play platform provides education and advice as well as another option for reporting safeguarding concerns.
DBS Checks
BD has registered with the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) in England and Wales, with Disclosure Scotland and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland and is the 'umbrella body' for child protection and vulnerable adult checks within the equine industry.
All BD workforce engaging with children and young people are required to be on the British Dressage Coaches Database, have had a DBS check carried out through BD or one of the other BEF Member Bodies and have attended a Safeguarding course.
DBS checks can be completed online through British Dressage, using the UCheck platform. Checks completed through any of the other equestrian member bodies can be used as evidence for BD Youth activities too. The cost of this is £65 including the cost of your documents being verified.
To apply for a DBS check for British Dressage workforce, contact Hannah James or Sharon Weir.
