Keeping children safe comes first.

Our commitment

Essence Sports is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person in our care. Our policy applies to everyone who works with children on our behalf: staff, coaches, volunteers, contractors and partners. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and our rule for staff is simple: if in doubt, report it.

Who is responsible

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Cameron Edwards. Leads on all safeguarding matters, makes sure concerns are reported and training is up to date, and works with the local authority and other agencies.
• Deputy DSL: Dylan Mcdonald. Supports the DSL and stands in when needed.
• Every member of staff reads and follows the policy, attends safeguarding training every year, and reports any concern immediately.

Safer recruitment

Before anyone works with children, they go through:

• an application and an interview
• at least two references, checked
• an enhanced DBS check, which is essential and mandatory
• identity and qualification checks
• an induction covering our safeguarding policy, whistleblowing and code of conduct
• three months shadowing the safeguarding lead or an experienced coach

Training

• All staff complete safeguarding training every 12 months.
• The DSL and Deputy DSL complete lead-level training, refreshed every two years.
• Training also covers Prevent awareness, online safety and how to handle a disclosure.
• Every coach’s competence is reviewed each year.

Safe places to play

We regularly assess the places we work for hazards, check equipment is safe and suitable for each activity, and make sure first aid and emergency contact details are to hand at every session. Our lead coaches are first aid trained, and we are covered by Public Liability Insurance.

How our staff behave

Everyone working for Essence Sports must:

• treat every child with respect and dignity
• avoid being alone with a child out of sight of others
• use encouragement, never humiliating or physical discipline
• keep professional boundaries at all times
• set a good example: no smoking, drinking or inappropriate behaviour in front of children

Photographs and video

Photos and videos are only taken with parents’ consent. We never publish a child’s full name or personal details alongside an image, and we store photos and videos securely with restricted access.

When a concern is raised

Staff are trained to act immediately and never assume someone else is dealing with it. They report to the DSL or Deputy as soon as possible and write down what happened factually, using the child’s own words. The DSL decides whether it needs to go further, for example to children’s social care or the police. All concerns are logged and stored securely in line with data protection law.

If an allegation is made against a member of staff, it goes to the DSL, who contacts the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) straight away for guidance. If the allegation is about the DSL, it goes directly to the LADO. No member of staff ever investigates an allegation themselves.

Speaking up

We want staff and volunteers to raise anything that worries them. Concerns can go to the DSL, or anonymously to the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line on 0800 028 0285. Nobody will be treated unfairly for raising a genuine safeguarding concern.

The guidance we follow

Our policy is written in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, the Education Act 2002, the Equality Act 2010, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, and local safeguarding partnership procedures.

Read the full policy

Our full Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is available to any parent or school who asks. It was last reviewed in January 2026 and will be reviewed again by January 2027, or sooner if the law or guidance changes.

Ask for a copy of the policy