Safeguarding Statement

Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) has a duty of care to safeguard from harm and protect all children and young people attending our centres or participating in our activities through adherence to our Safeguarding Policy and accompanying procedures. All children and young people have a right to protection and the welfare of children and young people is paramount. In addition to this, SLT also has a duty of care, to protect all adults at risk of abuse and safeguard their welfare, irrespective of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, religion or belief and sexual orientation. The needs of disabled children and young people and others who may be particularly vulnerable will be taken into account.

SLT’s Safeguarding policy is based on the following principles:-

  • Everyone has the right to live their life free from violence, fear and abuse.
  • All adults have the right to be protected from harm and exploitation.
  • All adults have the right to independence which involves a degree of risk.

The aim of the SLT Safeguarding Policy is to promote good practice through:

  • Providing children, young people and vulnerable adults with appropriate safety and protection whilst accessing the services provided by SLT;
  • Allowing all staff to make informed and confident responses to child protection and adult safeguarding issues.

If you are concerned about a safeguarding issue during a session in an SLT facility, follow the advice below:

  • Record what the person has said or what has been seen. Include dates and times & ensure confidentiality is maintained on a need to know basis.
  • Report your concerns to the Facility or SLT Duty Officer, who will contact a designated SLT Safeguarding Officer and or report matters of whistleblowing for internal investigation - 07810 850939 

Other points of contact include:

SLT has a Safeguarding Policy available upon request and an internal Whistleblowing Policy that will be instigated for employee investigations.

Our Commitment

  • Accept the moral and legal responsibility to provide for the health, safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults who use our service and will implement procedures to safeguard their well-being and protect them from abuse regardless of their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity.
  • Respect and promote the rights of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
  • Recruit and train its employees in best practice to safeguard and protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse.
  • Require all staff to comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Policy.
  • Respond to any allegations appropriately and take action in accordance with the Trust’s Safeguarding Policy/Procedure and Disciplinary Procedure where appropriate.
  • Provide support to employees against whom allegations are made and take appropriate action where false or malicious allegations are made.
  • Work within the framework of the Sandwell Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and Sandwell Safeguarding Adults Board.
  • Promote the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults through inter-agency working.
  • Make referrals to statutory bodies, where required to do so.
  • Monitor the operation of the Safeguarding Policy and record appropriate data.
  • Review this policy on a 3-yearly basis or if there is a major change in the organisation or in relevant legislation.

SLT has an Equality and Diversity policy available upon request, to view our Equality and Diversity statement visit here.

If you require further information relating to SLT’s Safeguarding Policy please send an email to HR.Team@slt-leisure.co.uk