Retford Bridge Club

Safeguarding Policy

1. AIM

Safeguarding is a term used to denote measures to protect the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, all of which allow vulnerable people to live free from abuse, harm and neglect.

Retford Bridge Club (RBC) will neither condone nor tolerate any form of abuse (see Appendix 2) of or by its members, and believes that all people should be able and, where necessary enabled, to participate in RBC activities in an environment which is safe and supportive.

In all situations, RBC believes that everyone is entitled to:

• privacy
• be treated with dignity and respect
• the protection of the law
• have their human and civil rights upheld regardless whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity

RBC expects that everyone involved in the club accepts their responsibilities to safeguard members, students and visitors involved in RBC activities and to report any concerns about their welfare to the appropriate authorities.

Note: The scope of this policy and the following procedure is limited to instances which are connected to activities taking place under the auspices of Retford Bridge Club. If there is any suspicion that abuse, harm or neglect of a RBC member is taking place outside a RBC setting, then this should be reported to an appropriate statutory body (eg Police, Social Services or Notts CC Safeguarding). The RBC Committee has no authority or experience to handle such safeguarding issues.

2. CONTEXT & TERMINOLOGY

For the purpose of this safeguarding policy:

• Children are children and young people under 18 years of age;

• Vulnerable adults are aged 18 and over who are in receipt of a regulated activity (as defined by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 from 10th September 2012) i.e.

• the provision of healthcare, personal care and/ or social work;
• assistance with general household matters and/or the conduct of the adult’s own affairs; and/or
• an adult who is conveyed to, from, or between places, where they receive healthcare, relevant personal care or social work because of their age, illness or disability.

• Club means the bridge operations of RBC or the premises where it undertakes such operations.

At present RBC does not run any events for children, but children might sometimes play in our sessions. If RBC does begin children’s classes or play then this policy will be revised to cover this.

Some vulnerable adults might sometimes play at the club. RBC believes all should feel safe in the Club and be covered by this policy.

3. POLICY

Retford Bridge Club and its members will:

1. Adopt the principles of the English Bridge Union’s Best Behaviour at Bridge (attached)

2. Seek to ensure bridge is enjoyable by

• treating all people equally, with respect and dignity;
• by confronting and dealing with bullying; and
• by promoting fair play.

3. Seek to promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of members, students and visitors by ensuring that applicable safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.

4. Take all reasonable steps to ensure that members understand their roles and responsibilities relating to best behaviour at bridge and any safeguarding issues.

5. Ensure players maintain a safe and appropriate distance from children and young people when at our club. In particular,

• It is inappropriate for players to have an intimate relationship with a young person.
• It is considered bad practice to approach a young person directly to offer support, or to offer to partner them in a game of bridge.
• All approaches, including requests for personal details, must be made through the Safeguarding Officer, or nominated representative (which can be a bridge playing parent/carer).

6. Ensure a procedure for the reporting of incidents/concerns of abuse or bullying.

7. Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and stored securely.

8. Seek to provide a safe environment for people to enjoy the game of bridge.

4. PROCEDURES

1. The Safeguarding Officer (SGO) is appointed by the RBC. The identity of the SGO is included in the list of trustees and officers and is published on the notice board and the RBC website. The trustees, in collaboration with the SGO, are responsible for safeguarding policy and procedures.

2. The SGO, in collaboration with the committee secretary, is responsible for ensuring appropriate recording of incidents and concerns (investigation and taking action covered in para 6 below) and for storing these records securely in compliance with relevant legislation and in accordance with RBC’s document and storage policy.

3. Any RBC member who has concerns about potential risks to a person should report their concerns immediately to the Director of the bridge session, the SGO or the committee secretary, who will record relevant details as factually as possible.

   SAFEGUARDING OFFICER     Steve Mulligan     07736 559852     Stevemulligan67@gmail.com

  COMMITTEE SECRETARY        Keith Abel            01777 705085      secrbridgec@gmail.com

4. If an individual is not sure whether an action constitutes bullying, poor practice or abuse, the individual should discuss the situation in confidence with the SGO or the committee secretary.

5. The SGO will be informed of concerns as soon as possible and will communicate these to the committee secretary.

6. The committee secretary and SGO will investigate incidents and concerns and take appropriate action including reporting their conclusions to the trustees. Where external reporting is required, the committee secretary and SGO will be responsible for reporting to any appropriate external body.

7.  External reporting should be made via the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Agency (MASH), operated by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC).  The NCCC website has advice on concerns and an online reporting form.  If a referral is urgent, requiring a Social Worker to visit a child or adult that day, telephone MASH on 0300 500 80 90.

8. Every effort will be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. Information will be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only.

As advised by the SGO, the Trustees of RBC undertake to review the safeguarding policy and procedures annually or where there are changes in legislation and/or accepted practice.  

       September 2022

Retford Bridge Club                    Registered charity no:   1166225

Appendix 1      English Bridge Union (EBU) - BEST BEHAVIOUR AT BRIDGE    (Nov 2017)

Bridge is an extremely enjoyable game. Courteous behaviour is an exceptionally important part of that enjoyment. The EBU is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity. It considers it a fundamental principle that anyone wishing to participate in duplicate bridge, whether as player, official or in any other capacity, should be able to do so in a safe and welcoming environment, and not be subject to less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, race, disability, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religious or political belief or social class than any other person. This guide serves as a brief reminder of how to behave at the bridge table.

We are sure that all players naturally follow this code of conduct but there are times when concentration and pressure can take their toll and it is for these situations that we issue this as a reminder.

• Greet others in a friendly manner prior to start of play on each round.

• Be a good “host” or “guest” at the table.

• Make your convention card readily available to your opponents and fill it out completely.

• Make bridge enjoyable for yourself, partner and opponents.

• Give credit when opponents make a good bid or play.

• Take care of your personal grooming.

• Ensure that your mobile phone is turned off.

• Enjoy the company as well as the game.

Remember that it is rude to criticise your partner or opponents in public, to be less than polite at the table, to gloat over good results or object to a call for the tournament director or to dispute or argue about a director’s ruling, or generally to make any personal and disparaging remark.

Please call the Director if you think you may have been affected by bad behaviour. You will be helping others as well as yourselves.

As in all games that are governed by rules and regulations, bad behaviour will be penalized. If a player at the table behaves in an unacceptable manner, the director should be called immediately. Annoying behaviour, embarrassing remarks, or any other conduct which might interfere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A. Law 91A gives the director the authority to assess disciplinary penalties. This can include immediate disciplinary board penalties and may lead to disqualification from the current event. In addition any violation may result in a disciplinary hearing where player(s) future participation in tournaments will be considered.

English Bridge Union November 2017

Appendix 2                     Types of Abuse

1. Physical abuse – including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions
2. Sexual abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting
3. Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks
4. Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
5. Discriminatory abuse – including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Appendix 3                     Agencies

1. Local Authority Social Services, Notts CC Safeguarding, Police
2. Age UK Adviceline  0800 678 1602
3. Hourglass Helpline    0808 808 8141