1. Adrian Lole Technical Director
Safeguarding Equality and Diversity Advisory Group

2. A brief introduction to:
RLSS UK’s commitment to Safeguarding
The new RLSS UK Safeguarding Policy
The Safeguarding Code of Conduct
The RLSS UK Safeguarding Leaflet
Training Plan

3. Commitment to Safeguarding
“RLSS UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects everyone involved in RLSS UK activity to share this commitment”
Notes to support this statement:
RLSS UK is committed to ensuring that children and adults at risk who participate in its activities including lifesaving, lifeguarding, community awards, education, sports, competitions and any other events have a safe, positive and enjoyable experience. All groups of people whatever their age, gender, language, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and culture have the right to protection from abuse. Everyone involved with children and adults at risk is uniquely placed to recognise and respond to abuse and poor practice across RLSS UK.

4. Through our approach we commit to:
Empowering confidence regarding safeguarding
Being proactive as well prepared to be reactive
Providing the tools to promote good practice
Providing the opportunities to come together to learn
Safeguarding is not a term that should be feared but a philosophy and process that should be embraced and encouraged. Safeguarding if managed right ensures that we all take responsible to provide an environment that encourages and champions all, no matter of background, race, gender or beliefs.
Through all RLSS UK activities the key is to provide an environment and culture that creates a safe, positive and enjoyable experience.
Following procedures, best practice and being proactive will help us to support an environment where poor practice can be challenged early, managed and put right. If we do all we can at this stage then we will all be in a better position to react if we are faced with a series safeguarding concern
It is our aim to make everybody accountable and responsible. If we all do our own bit
Our commitment to you is that we will continue to work as an organisation as staff and volunteers in partnership to keep up to date with policy, disseminate best practice and more importantly provide the opportunity to come together and learn from one another.

5. The RLSS UK Safeguarding Policy
Guidance mirroring legislation and government policy.
Guidance to support you to provide a duty of care to young people and adults at risk.
Considers information in all home nations and Ireland
A series of independent chapters accompanied by templates to support promotion of good practice and reporting.
Shorter version to help guide every day practice.
Will be available through RLSS Direct Policy and Marketing resources.
Shorter version is a basic and practical guide is available in your packs. It is available to hep guide good practice. This should be shared by everybody to everybody. We all have a responsibility and it is al of our business

6. The Safeguarding Code of Conduct
Sets out expected behaviour
Guidance for: Instructors/trainers/coaches; parents; participants; club officers; officials; volunteers and Officials
Should be used to govern all club practice and all events

7. Training Plan
Access to all volunteers, members and supporters to an online training video following conference.
All Branch Safeguarding Officers trained in the delivery of the RLSS UK Safeguarding Course by the end of 2017.
All Club Welfare Officers trained by June 2018.
Go to our Webpage to watch the video

8. Training Plan
A bespoke package designed for the support and guidance of all instructors, trainers, parents, participants and volunteers involved in lifesaving and RLSS UK activity.
Specific to lifesaving and RLSS UK policies
A policy is just a guiding document. Good and safe practice is only realised when the policy comes to life. We will achieve this by talking about the policy and providing training so that everybody understands their role and what they can do to facilitate safe activity and act should they witness any questionable practice

9. In Safe Hands Lee is now the Designated Safeguarding Lead
Supported by Jo Barrett and Precious Williamson
Guided by SEDAG
Mike Murray, Declan Harte, JO Young, Doug Simmonds, John Belcher, Terry Draycott, Debbie Hunt, Patton Taylor

10. Adrian Lole Technical Director
Safeguarding Equality and Diversity Advisory Group