Membership of the club implies agreement to follow the code of conduct and the club's safeguarding policy

Code of Conduct

Members shall:

  • abide by the Club Rules and the Code of Conduct and rules laid down by England Athletics
  • prioritise keeping yourself and others safe.
  • read and adhere to the club’s safety guidelines, in particular those clauses relating to the welfare of members who are under 18 years of age
  • display courtesy, respect and good manners towards other club members; and also to participants, officials and spectators of all events
  • uphold the club’s good name and reputation, both inside and outside of Club activities,  conducting yourself in an appropriate manner
  • minimise nuisance and annoyance to other users of public spaces: generally give way to pedestrians and avoid leaving litter
  • promote fair play and never condone rule violations
  • avoid abusive language and irresponsible/inappropriate/illegal acts including behaviour that is dangerous to yourself or others, acts of violence, bullying, harassment and physical and sexual abuse
  • challenge inappropriate behaviour and language by others
  • adhere to any rules of any facility used for the purposes of the Club and in particular not cause any damage, and leave the facility clean and tidy after use
  • ensure good time management, so as not to delay the start times of club sessions
  • use club online forums and groups in a respectful way by supporting other members and by promoting the club

Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Dulwich Park Runners is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all members, including participants, coaches, leaders and volunteers; and to preventing poor practice, bullying and risk of harm. All children and adults at risk are entitled to a duty of care and to be protected from abuse. The club accepts that we must do everything that can be reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect people and to act when we suspect that someone is being harmed or is at a risk of harm.

This document outlines the club’s approach, responsibilities and procedures relating to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.

Dulwich Park Runners adopts the UK Athletics Adult Safeguarding Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, and Safeguarding Code of Conduct:

https://www.englandathletics.org/clubhub/resource/adult-safeguarding-policy/

https://www.englandathletics.org/clubhub/resource/child-safeguarding-policy/

https://www.englandathletics.org/clubhub/resource/club-safeguarding-code-of-conduct/

Further information on the commitments and actions taken by the club to support safeguarding is below.

Aims

The aims of the safeguarding policy are:

  • To ensure the club is fulfilling its duty of care to children and adults at risk

  • To raise awareness of safeguarding risks amongst all members, so that they can recognise and report concerns

  • To deal with safeguarding concerns quickly and appropriately in the best interests of children and adults at risk

Intermediate, junior and pre-junior membership

Intermediate membership (for 16–17-year-olds) and junior membership (for children over 7 and under 16) require the written consent of a parent or guardian

Participation by intermediate and junior members in senior club events (including social runs/trial runs) is subject to a parent/guardian notifying the club in advance. For juniors, this includes confirmation by the parent/guardian of which senior member will take responsibility for the junior during the event.

No junior under 16 may run unsupervised at un-marshalled, predominantly senior events (e.g. the Handicap).

A pre-junior member (child aged six or under) must be supervised by their parent or guardian throughout the whole of any event they attend (e.g. Summer League).

Awareness and induction

To support awareness of safeguarding issues, this policy and the club code of conduct amongst members, the club will:

  • require that as part of the induction of new members, they agree and sign up to the DPR code of conduct and safeguarding policy

  • ensure that this policy and the relevant UK Athletics documents and codes of conduct are displayed on the club website; and that members are reminded of them at least once a year (e.g. via the newsletter).

Criminal records checks and training

In line with UKA requirements, the club will:

  • ensure coaches and committee members have undergone a criminal records check, as required

  • ensure coaches attend safeguarding training every 3 years

  • maintain a list of DBS records and safeguarding training attended

Responding to concerns

The club will abide by the UKA guidance on responding to and reporting concerns about a child or adult at risk.

https://www.englandathletics.org/clubhub//child-safeguarding-procedures/

https://www.englandathletics.org/clubhub/resource/adult-safeguarding-procedures/

If the child or adult at risk has a need for immediate medical attention, call an ambulance on 999.

If you are concerned the child or adult at risk is in immediate danger or a serious crime is being committed, contact the Police on 999 straight away.

Other actions:

  • report the concern to the club Welfare Officer without delay; only share information with those who have a need to know in order to take action to keep the child or adult at risk safe.

  • alternatively if you would prefer to speak to someone independent from the club, you can report concern directly to the UKA Safeguarding team by emailing: Safeguarding@uka.org.uk.

  • if the risk or concern is believed to be due to the behaviour of a club member, the Chair and/or Welfare Officer will consider whether any immediate action needs to be taken (e.g. interim suspension from the club) to prevent that person making contact with the child/adult at risk.

  • the Welfare Officer will refer the case as soon as possible to the England Athletics Welfare Officer, or to the UKA Safeguarding Team via the Child Safeguarding Report Form.

  • If the club Welfare Officer is not available, another member of the Committee will submit the information or form to the England Athletics or UKA safeguarding contact.

  • Any concerns for the wellbeing and safety of a child arising from the conduct or practice of a coach/volunteer must be reported to the Club Welfare Officer on the day the concern arises, or as soon as practically possible. The Club Welfare Officer must report the concern to the UKA Safeguarding Team immediately and always within 48 hours.

Contacts

Club Welfare Officer: welfare@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk

UK Athletics: safeguarding@uka.org.uk 07920 532552

England Athletics: welfare@englandathletics.org 07967 317341

Inclusion Policy

  • Introduction

Dulwich Park Runners embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible, and equitable. The Inclusion Policy is intended to promote inclusive attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate at our club. For the purposes of this policy ‘inclusion’ means access for all. It means recognising differences between individuals / groups and providing opportunities for them to participate in running events and training regardless of those differences, whether this is as a participant, coach, leader or volunteer.

Aims

The aims of the Inclusion Policy are to:

-provide an environment where everyone feels welcome; represented; included in decision making; albe to participate; safe and free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and vilification.

-guide and support the integration of inclusive practice into our core club programmes and activities.

-develop awareness of disability, equity and inclusion amongst our participants, leaders/coaches, volunteers and competition/event organisers.

-encourage, embrace and sustain participation within our club of people from under-represented groups.

Commitment

We will:

  • not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation.

  • identify and seek to reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups.

  • follow guidance from England Athletics and other expert organisations to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation.

  • provide opportunities for under-represented groups to participate in our club.

  • provide opportunities for all members to perform coaching and leadership roles.

There are a number of measures that we will take to ensure that we provide a welcoming and inclusive environment at the club, working under the guidance of the Policy and following the core principles of the Equality Act (2010). We will:

  • ensure all members are aware of the commitments of this policy.

  • think positively about how we can include people rather than focusing on potential barriers to participation.

  • consider how our club/group is promoted, for example accessible formats.

  • encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements.

  • demonstrate that we have made best efforts to enable everyone to participate, including considering what reasonable adjustments could be made.

  • provide appropriate guidance to coaches and leaders, to develop their understanding of disability, equity and inclusive practice.