Moulescoomb Boxing Academy

Safeguarding Policy

Your Child's Safety Comes First

All coaches at Moulescoomb Boxing Academy are DBS-checked, safeguarding-trained, and committed to creating a safe, supportive environment. We prioritise the wellbeing of every participant through rigorous safeguarding policies and best practices.

1. Policy Statement

Moulescoomb Boxing Academy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. We believe every child, regardless of age, gender, ability, race, religion, or background, has the right to protection from harm, abuse, and exploitation. Our safeguarding practices aim to create a safe and positive environment for all participants, both in and outside of training.

2. Designated Safeguarding Officers

Both of our Head Coaches are fully safeguarding trained and committed to maintaining the highest standards of welfare and protection.

3. Who This Policy Applies To

This policy applies to:

  • All children and young people under 18 involved with the academy
  • All staff, coaches, volunteers, and committee members
  • Parents, carers, and guardians

4. Our Safeguarding Principles

  • The welfare of the child is paramount
  • All children should be treated with respect and dignity
  • All allegations and concerns will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  • Everyone involved with the academy has a responsibility to report concerns
  • We promote a culture where children feel safe, listened to, and empowered

5. Recognising Abuse

We are alert to the signs of abuse, which may include:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Bullying, including cyberbullying

Coaches, staff and volunteers are expected to understand how to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns appropriate to their role, with safeguarding training kept up to date where required.

6. Code of Conduct

All staff, coaches, and volunteers must:

  • Prioritise the safety and welfare of children
  • Maintain appropriate and professional boundaries at all times
  • Avoid unnecessary physical contact
  • Never engage in or tolerate abusive, aggressive, exploitative, or discriminatory behaviour
  • Follow proper safeguarding reporting procedures without delay

7. Reporting Concerns

If anyone has a concern about a child’s welfare or safety, they should:

  1. Immediately report it to the Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Officer
  2. In an emergency or if a child is at immediate risk, call 999 or contact local children’s services directly

All concerns will be taken seriously, handled confidentially, and acted on in accordance with safeguarding laws and best practice.

8. Recruitment and Training

We support safer recruitment and volunteering practices by:

  • Requiring appropriate DBS checks for coaches, staff and volunteers whose roles require them
  • Ensuring anyone awaiting a required check is not placed in unsupervised responsibility for children
  • Collecting verified references where appropriate
  • Requiring appropriate safeguarding training according to role
  • Promoting ongoing professional development and review

9. Online Safety

We recognise the importance of protecting children online. Moulescoomb Boxing Academy ensures that:

  • Routine Academy communication is directed through parents and carers wherever appropriate
  • Any necessary direct communication with a young person must remain professional, appropriate and related to Academy activity
  • We assume parents and carers are happy for images or videos of their child to be used for Academy promotional purposes unless they tell us otherwise
  • Our website and social media pages are monitored for safety, privacy, and appropriate content

10. Supervision and Ratios

To ensure safety at all times:

  • Adult-to-child supervision ratios are maintained in line with best practice
  • One-to-one situations between a child and an adult are avoided wherever reasonably practicable. Where individual support is necessary, appropriate visibility, professional boundaries and safeguarding procedures must be maintained
  • Changing areas and toilet supervision are managed respectfully and in accordance with safeguarding protocols
  • Safe pick-up and drop-off procedures are in place

11. Contact, Supervision and Parent Communication

  • Physical contact within boxing training is introduced progressively and managed in accordance with MBA's Contact & Partner Work Policy. Coaches consider age, size, experience, ability, confidence, technical development and control when determining appropriate partner activities and pairings.
  • Parents and carers are not routinely present during training sessions, helping maintain focus, structure and safeguarding oversight.

12. Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually or whenever there are updates in safeguarding legislation or guidance.
Next scheduled review: October 2027

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