Safeguarding Policy

Stokesley Hockey Club – Safeguarding Policy

Introduction 

Stokesley Hockey Club is committed to ensuring that children and young people are able to enjoy hockey in a safe, positive and inclusive environment free from harm, abuse and exploitation.

 

As part of this commitment, Stokesley Hockey Club adopts and follows the safeguarding principles, policies and procedures of England Hockey. All members, volunteers, coaches, players, officials, parents and committee members involved with the club are expected to comply with these regulations and uphold the welfare of young people at all times. 

 

These regulations set out the framework used by Stokesley Hockey Club when safeguarding concerns, complaints or disciplinary matters arise involving children or young people within club activity.

 

Where any conflict arises between these regulations and any other club policy or procedure relating to safeguarding or discipline, these regulations shall take precedence.
 

1. Definitions

1.1 “Appellant” means the individual or organisation who has submitted a Notice of Appeal under Regulation 13.
1.2 “Board” means the Stokesley Hockey Club Committee.
1.3 “CMG” means the Case Management Group appointed under Regulation 17.
1.4 “Charge” means an allegation of grounds for disciplinary action under Regulation 5.
1.5 “Chair of CMG” means the individual appointed by the Club Committee to chair safeguarding disciplinary matters.
1.6 “Hockey Family” means all individuals, clubs, associations and organisations involved in hockey in any capacity, including players, coaches, volunteers, umpires, officials and committee members.
1.7 “Interim Suspension” means a temporary suspension imposed under Regulation 8 pending investigation or proceedings.
1.8 “SYP Appeals Panel” means the Safeguarding Young People Appeals Panel appointed under Regulation 20.
1.9 “SYP Disciplinary Panel” means the Safeguarding Young People Disciplinary Panel appointed under Regulation 19.
1.10 “Suspension” means a disciplinary sanction imposed under these regulations.
1.11 “Young Person” or “Young People” means anyone under the age of 18.

 

2. Delegation

2.1 The powers of the Club Committee to investigate complaints, impose sanctions and manage safeguarding matters may be delegated to:

• The Case Management Group (CMG)

• The SYP Disciplinary Panel

• The SYP Appeals Panel

2.2 The club may also seek advice or support from:

• England Hockey

• Statutory agencies

• Independent safeguarding specialists

• Legal advisers

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3. Confidentiality

3.1 All safeguarding matters will be treated confidentially unless disclosure is required:

• By law

• To protect a child or young person

• By England Hockey or statutory authorities

3.2 Information may be shared with:

• Police

• Children’s Services

• England Hockey

• Other relevant safeguarding organisations

3.3 All confidential information will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation.
3.4 DBS information will be managed in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice.
3.5 The club may seek external legal advice where appropriate.

 

4. Jurisdiction

4.1 These regulations apply to:

• All club members

• Players

• Coaches

• Volunteers

• Umpires and officials

• Committee members

• Contractors working on behalf of the club

4.2 The club retains jurisdiction over safeguarding matters even if an individual resigns or leaves the club after an investigation has commenced.
4.3 All individuals involved in Stokesley Hockey Club activities are expected to comply with:

• These regulations

• England Hockey safeguarding policies

• Club codes of conduct

• England Hockey Codes of Ethics and Behaviour

 

5. Grounds for Disciplinary Action

5.1 Disciplinary action may be taken where an individual or organisation is considered to have:

• Harmed the safety or welfare of a young person

• Behaved in a way that poses actual or potential risk to a young person

• Failed to comply with safeguarding requirements or codes of conduct

5.2 Consideration will be given to any failure to comply with:

• Club safeguarding policies

• England Hockey safeguarding procedures

• England Hockey Codes of Ethics and Behaviour

5.3 Grounds for disciplinary action may include:

• Criminal convictions involving children

• Inclusion on barred lists

• Serious offences indicating potential risk to children or young people

 

6. Complaints and Allegations

6.1 Safeguarding concerns, complaints or allegations may be raised by any individual inside or outside the Hockey Family.
6.2 Concerns should be reported immediately to:

• The Club Welfare Officer

• A member of the Club Committee

• England Hockey where appropriate

 

7. Action Following Receipt of a Complaint or Allegation

7.1 Upon receipt of a safeguarding concern, the Club Welfare Officer or CMG may:

• Refer the matter to statutory agencies

• Initiate a club investigation

• Refer the matter to England Hockey

• Resolve the matter locally where appropriate

7.2 Where criminal investigations are ongoing, the club may postpone internal disciplinary proceedings pending advice from statutory authorities.
7.3 The club may continue safeguarding investigations even where a complainant chooses not to pursue the matter.
7.4 The club will always prioritise the welfare and safety of children and young people.

 

8. Interim Suspension

8.1 The club may impose an immediate interim suspension where necessary to protect children or facilitate an investigation.
8.2 Factors considered include:

• Risk to children or young people

• Integrity of investigations

• Proportionality of action taken

8.3 Individuals subject to interim suspension will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable.
8.4 Interim suspensions will be reviewed regularly.
8.5 Breaching an interim suspension may result in further disciplinary action.

 

9. Investigation

9.1 The club may undertake any enquiries necessary to establish the facts of a safeguarding concern.
9.2 Respondents will be informed of allegations unless doing so would place a child or investigation at risk.
9.3 Investigations may involve contact with:

• Police

• Children’s Services

• England Hockey

• Witnesses

• Other relevant parties

9.4 The club may require:

• Attendance at meetings

• Production of relevant documents

• DBS checks where appropriate

• Formal interviews

9.5 Individuals under 18 must attend interviews with an appropriate adult.
9.6 Failure to cooperate with reasonable safeguarding investigations may constitute disciplinary grounds.

 

10. Decision

10.1 Following investigation, the club may determine:

• There is no case to answer

• A summary disciplinary procedure is appropriate

• A full disciplinary hearing is required

• The matter should be referred externally

10.2 The club may undertake additional enquiries before making a decision.

 

11. Summary Procedures

11.1 Summary offences are matters where sanctions are likely to include:

• Warnings

• Mandatory training

• Monitoring arrangements

• Short suspensions

• Risk assessments

11.2 The respondent will receive written notice outlining:

• The decision

• Supporting evidence

• Any sanctions imposed

11.3 Where the respondent is under 18, correspondence may also be sent to parents or guardians.
11.4 Failure to comply with sanctions may result in escalation to the full disciplinary procedure.
11.5 There is no right of appeal under the summary procedure.

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12. Full Disciplinary Procedure

12.1 Where matters are serious or disputed, the Full Disciplinary Procedure shall apply.
12.2 The respondent shall receive:

• Formal notification of the charge

• Supporting evidence

• Notice of hearing dates

• Information regarding representation rights

12.3 Hearings may be conducted remotely or in person where appropriate.
12.4 Respondents may:

• Submit evidence

• Call witnesses

• Be legally represented at their own expense

12.5 Proceedings shall remain private and confidential.
12.6 The burden of proof rests on the balance of probability.
12.7 The SYP Disciplinary Panel may:

• Hear evidence

• Consider anonymous evidence where appropriate

• Adjourn proceedings

• Request risk assessments

12.8 The Panel may impose sanctions under Regulation 14.

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13. Appeals

13.1 Appeals may only be submitted on the grounds that:

• Procedure was flawed

• There was an error of fact

• Discretion was exercised improperly

13.2 Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of notification of the decision.
13.3 The SYP Appeals Panel may:

• Uphold the decision

• Amend the sanction

• Overturn the decision

• Order a rehearing

13.4 The decision of the Appeals Panel shall be final.

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14. Disciplinary Sanctions

14.1 Sanctions may include:

• Warnings

• Mandatory safeguarding training

• Monitoring requirements

• Fines

• Suspension

• Permanent exclusion from hockey activity

• Termination of club membership

• Referral to statutory agencies

14.2 Sanctions may apply to individuals or organisations.
14.3 The club will consider:

• Seriousness of the offence

• Welfare risks

• Previous conduct

• Any mitigation presented

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15. Publication of Decisions

15.1 The club may share safeguarding disciplinary outcomes on a need-to-know basis for safeguarding purposes.
15.2 This may include sharing information with:

• England Hockey

• Club officials

• County associations

• Statutory agencies

15.3 The complainant may also be informed of relevant safeguarding outcomes where appropriate.

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16. Enforcement of Disciplinary Orders

16.1 All members must comply with disciplinary sanctions and safeguarding restrictions.
16.2 Failure to comply may result in further disciplinary action.

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17. Case Management Group (CMG)

17.1 The CMG shall consist of between 3 and 5 individuals appointed by the Club Committee.
17.2 The CMG is responsible for:

• Managing safeguarding cases

• Reviewing interim suspensions

• Determining summary procedures

• Monitoring safeguarding trends

• Reviewing DBS matters

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18. Safeguarding Young People Disciplinary Pool

18.1 The club may appoint a disciplinary pool to support safeguarding hearings and appeals.
18.2 Panel members must have no conflict of interest.

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19. SYP Disciplinary Panel

19.1 The SYP Disciplinary Panel shall normally consist of three individuals.
19.2 The Panel is responsible for:

• Hearing safeguarding disciplinary matters

• Making findings

• Imposing sanctions

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20. SYP Appeals Panel

20.1 The Appeals Panel shall normally consist of:

• An independent chair where possible

• Two additional panel members

20.2 The Appeals Panel will hear and determine appeals under Regulation 13.

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21. Exclusion of Liability

21.1 Stokesley Hockey Club shall not be liable for losses arising from actions reasonably taken under these safeguarding regulations.

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22. Service of Notices

22.1 Notices under these regulations may be served:

• Personally

• By recorded delivery

• By email

22.2 Service shall be deemed effective where sent to the last known contact details held by the club.

 

Document Name: Stokesley Hockey Club - Safeguarding Policy

Version: 1.0

Approved By: Stokesley Hockey Club Committee

Review Date: 2028
 

Adapted from England Hockey Safeguarding Young People in Hockey Complaints and Disciplinary Regulations.