Safeguarding Policy

A Message from the Founder

As the National Governing Body for police disability sport, Police UK Disability Sport (PUKDS) is committed to creating a safe, fair and enjoyable,  inclusive environment for everyone engaging in police disability sport. PUKDS has an obligation to ensure the highest standards of care are provided for everyone involved to provide a safe and environment.

By Providing a safe platform for adaptive sport to serving and retired police officers and staff, who have been wounded, injured, living with disability, mental health or neurodiversity across a number of adaptive sports, through a network of coaches and medical clinicians to ensure that all players, members, employees and volunteers are safe and that all activities are conducted in that same safe environment.

It is the responsibility of all PUKDS employees, volunteers, medical and coaching staff to ensure the safety of everyone in police disability sport and the communities in which we take part in activities.

PUKDS will set out in this policy, safeguarding measures that will identify and deter those that aim to cause harm to others. Making the necessary referrals to national and local authorities to report individuals who intentionally cause harm or intend to cause others harm through abuse.

This policy will act as a deterrent for any persons wishing to cause harm through abusive practices, fraud or any other illegal activity. Those found to be attempting or conducting any of these actions will be reported to the police without delay.

The overall aim for PUKDS is to promote a healthy, safe and enjoyable environment, whilst providing a fair play ethos for all who take part in police disability sport at all levels.

Gary Callier,

Founder and Managing Director of Police UK Disability Sport.

Legislation and Statutory Guidance

Safeguarding Policy Statement

PUKDS is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all that are engaging with our activities, products and services through adaptive sport. By maintaining a safe environment, through working with partner agencies who share our policy commitments and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding all individuals.

The policy ensures equality of all and takes in to account the protected characteristics;

• Sex
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race (including ethnic origin, colour, nationality and national origin)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Religion and or belief
• Age

The PUKDS policy is based on the following key principles;

• Ensuring that the safety, health and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults through safeguarding is paramount.
• All PUKDS employees, volunteers and members are to report any concerns of abuse or attempted abuse at the earliest opportunity.
• PUKDS provides a safe and confidential reporting procedure for individuals to raise concerns or allegations relating to safeguarding.
• All allegations and safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, fairly and reported to the necessary organisations and police where illegal activities have been committed.
• It is the responsibility of all PUKDS employees, volunteers and members to promote a safe environment by promoting welfare and well-being.
• Data protection of all PUKDS employees, volunteers and its members is treated with the strictest confidence, to safeguard individuals identities and personal information in accordance with UK Legislation.
• All PUKDS employees, volunteers and members are treated with the upmost respect and provided the same opportunities and will not face discrimination or harassment based on the protected characteristics.
• PUKDS ensures to create activities through sport that are fully inclusive, safe and fair competition for all who take part.
• The rights of all individuals are valued and respected.
• The ability and disability of individuals may change over time, that such individuals may become vulnerable to those who may attempt to abuse or exploit them.

PUKDS will follow the principles set out in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2018 which builds the foundations for safeguarding individuals;

• Empowerment
• Prevention
• Proportionality
• Protection
• Partnership
• Helpful and Necessary
• Accountability

Types of Abuse

PUKDS recognises that abuse can take many forms, but should not be limited in view of what constitutes abuse, whether that is physical or psychological.

Physical Abuse includes;

• Assault
• Hitting
• Slapping
• Pushing
• Medication misuse
• Restraint
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwanted physical contact

Domestic Abuse includes;

• Psychological
• Physical
• Sexual
• Financial
• Emotional
• Honour Based

Sexual Abuse includes;

• Rape
• Indecent exposure
• Sexual harassment
• Inappropriate looking or touching
• sexual teasing or innuendo
• Sexual photography
• subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts
• Sexual assault
• Unwanted sexual contact
• Sexual acts without consent, or through pressure to provide consent or act out

Psychological Abuse includes;

• Emotional
• Threat to harm or abandon
• Deprive contact
• Humiliation
• Blame
• Controlling and coercive
• Intimidation
• Harassment and stalking
• Verbal
• Cyber
• Bullying
• Isolation and segregation
• Unreasonable or unjustified withdrawal of services or support

Financial or Material Abuse includes;

• Theft
• Fraud
• Scamming, including internet
• Coercion over an individual's financial arrangements
• Misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits

Modern Day Slavery;

• Slavery
• Human Trafficking
• Forced labour
• Domestic servitude
• Coercion through control of documentation

Discriminatory Abuse includes;

• Harassment
• Slurs or mistreatment based on a protected characteristic

If there is an immediate risk of harm or injury, please contact the Emergency Services in the first instance