Peter Dutton
   Inner Strength Coaching

Inner Strength Group Ltd–Safeguarding Policy 2025/26

 

1. Purpose and Aims

 

1.1 At Inner Strength Group Ltd, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk engaged in our programmes, whether in football coaching, sports-psychology workshops, educational camps or related activities.

 

1.2 Our aim is that every participant enjoys a positive, safe and respectful environment where they are protected from harm, including neglect, abuse(physical, emotional, sexual), discrimination or other forms of maltreatment.

 

1.3 This policy gives clear direction to all staff, volunteers, coaches, consultants, partners, and participants regarding expected behaviour and our responsibilities in safeguarding. It applies to all settings where we deliver activities (UK and abroad)and across all age groups and abilities.

 

2. Scope

 

This policy applies to:

 

• All staff, associates, consultants, contractors, volunteers and interns of InnerStrength Group Ltd, both UK-based and international programmes.

 

• All participants in our programmes (children, young people, adults at risk), football coaching, camps, workshops, coaching education and sports psychology sessions.

 

• All locations and delivery modes, club facilities, school sites, camps abroad(Europe, Africa, USA), online interventions, and face-to-face sessions.

 

3. Principles

 

In line with the West Ham United Foundation’s approach, we adopt the following safeguarding principles:

 

• It is every person’s right to be protected from abuse and harm regardless of age, gender identity, faith or religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, disability or level of ability.

 

• Everyone involved in our work shares a responsibility for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.

 

• We recognise the additional vulnerability of individuals with invisible disabilities, learning and communication differences.

 

• Allegations, concerns or disclosures of abuse or neglect will be treated seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

 

• Confidentiality will be maintained appropriately, but the safety and welfare of the individual must be the overriding consideration when deciding whether to share information.

 

• We are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of listening to and hearing children, young people and adults at risk, and supporting them to express their views and concerns.

 

• We will ensure that all staff and volunteers receive appropriate training, induction and support to enable them to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities.

 

4. Roles and Responsibilities

 

• The Board/Management of Inner Strength Group Ltd has ultimate oversight of safeguarding arrangements and will allocate sufficient resources to implement this policy.

 

• The appointed Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of safeguarding procedures, ensuring staff have training, reviewing concerns, maintaining records and liaising with external agencies.

 

• All staff, volunteers and associates must familiarise themselves with this policy, attend required safeguarding training, act in accordance with the policy and report any concerns without delay.

 

• Participants, parents, carers and partners are encouraged to raise concerns if they believe someone may be at risk of harm or that appropriate standards are not being met.

 

5. Safer Recruitment and Training

 

• All staff and volunteers engaged in regulated activity or who have significant access to children or adults at risk will undergo safer recruitment procedures, including appropriate background checks (DBS/Disclosure), reference checks, interviews, identity verification and role-specific checks.

 

• Induction and ongoing training will include the safeguarding policy, recognising signs of harm or abuse, professional boundaries, data protection /confidentiality, reporting procedures, and online safety.

 

• Refresher training will be provided at regular intervals, and the Safeguarding Lead will maintain records of training completion.

 

6. Procedures for Reporting and Responding to Concerns

 

• Any safeguarding concern, suspicion of abuse, disclosure or allegation must be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Lead or relevant deputy. If the Safeguarding Lead is unavailable, a designated alternative must be contacted.

 

• The organisation will follow the relevant local authority safeguarding children/adult procedures, and liaise with statutory agencies (e.g., Children’s Social Care, Safeguarding Adults Board) as required.

 

• Records of concerns will be logged securely, confidentially, and in line with data protection requirements. They will include date, time, nature of concern,persons involved, action taken and outcome.

 

• Safeguarding risk assessments will be undertaken for all programmes and venues, and appropriate measures put in place to mitigate risks.

 

• Where a member of staff or volunteer is alleged to have acted inappropriately, the organisation will follow internal disciplinary procedures and liaise with statutory agencies as required by law.

 

• The policy will also cover online safety, photography and filming, and other relevant procedures for digital or remote delivery settings.

 

7. Records and Information Sharing

 

• Records will be kept securely, for prescribed periods, and accessible only to those who need access in the interests of the individual’s safety and welfare.

 

• We recognise that sharing information is an essential element of safeguarding and that a delay in sharing may increase risk. However, decisions to share personal information will always prioritise the safety and welfare of the child, young person or adult at risk.

 

• When sharing information outside the organisation, consent will be sought unless doing so would increase risk or be contrary to the public interest.• All record keeping will comply with relevant legislation (such as UK GDPR) and organisational policies.

 

8. Monitoring and Review

 

• This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or more frequently in response to changes in legislation, best practice or organisational structure.

 

• The Safeguarding Lead will monitor implementation of the policy, training completion, incident reports, outcomes and make recommendations for improvement.

 

• The Board/Management will receive regular reports and will ensure accountability for safeguarding arrangements.

 

9. Implementation and Embedding Culture

 

• Safeguarding is embedded in our organisation’s culture and daily practices, whether in coaching sessions, workshops, educational settings or camps overseas.

 

• We will take a proactive approach to safeguarding by encouraging open dialogue, reflecting on practices, learning from incidents and promoting a positive environment in which participants feel valued, respected and safe.

 

• Partnerships and third-party providers will be expected to meet or exceed our safeguarding standards, and will be subject to appropriate due diligence and agreements reflecting this policy.

 

Contact Details

 

If you have any concerns about a child or adult at risk, or wish to raise a safeguarding issue, please contact:

 

Safeguarding Lead: Peter Dutton

Email: peter@isc-wellbeing.co.uk

Phone: +44 7956 101 978

 

(If the above are unavailable and you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 999. For non-emergency UK contact: 101 or your local authority safeguarding hotline.)

 

Approval

 

This policy was approved by Inner Strength Group Ltd on 01/11/2025. The nextreview is due by 30/10/2026