If you are worried a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999. For non-emergency concerns, contact your local authority children's services or the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
1. Safeguarding & Child Protection
Pro Hoops Blueprint is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk who take part in our programmes. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and the welfare of the child is paramount.
We work within the UK safeguarding framework, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and Keeping Children Safe in Education where delivery takes place in schools. Where we deliver on a partner's site, that organisation's safeguarding procedures apply alongside our own.
- All concerns are acted on immediately — never left until the end of a session or the end of a block.
- Concerns are reported to the venue's Designated Safeguarding Lead and to PHB's safeguarding lead.
- Where a child is at immediate risk of harm, we call 999. Where there is a concern that does not require an emergency response, we refer to the local authority children's services or MASH.
- We never promise confidentiality to a child who discloses; we explain who we must tell and why.
- PHB safeguarding lead: Head Coach / Shane Walker.
2. Designated Safeguarding Lead & reporting routes
PHB maintains a named safeguarding lead responsible for handling concerns, liaising with statutory partners and keeping records. Every coach is briefed on who to contact, in what order, and within what timescale.
- PHB safeguarding lead and contact details: Shane Walker
WhatsApp: +44 7415 795395.
- Local authority children's services referral routes for our delivery areas: Emergency Services ; 999. Safeguarding Concern ; 0300 126 7000. Safeguarding Non-Emergency ; MASH@nctrust.co.uk
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. Childline: 0800 1111.
- Concerns are recorded in writing on the same day, using factual language and the child's own words where possible.
3. Safer recruitment, DBS and staff vetting
All PHB coaching staff and volunteers working in regulated activity with children are subject to safer recruitment checks before delivery.
- Enhanced DBS check with the children's barred list where the role is eligible.
- Identity, references and confirmation of qualifications.
- Face-to-face interview and role-specific safeguarding briefing.
- Current DBS status and renewal cycle: Completed 2024 , Renewal; Jan 2027.
-
4. Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers
PHB staff model the behaviour we expect from participants. The code of conduct is a condition of engagement.
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times; avoid being alone and unobserved with a child.
- No physical contact beyond what is necessary for coaching, safety or first aid, and always explained first.
- No contact with participants through personal phones, personal social media accounts or private messaging.
- No transporting of participants in private vehicles.
- No discriminatory, humiliating or intimidating language.
- Report any concern about another adult's behaviour immediately under the allegations procedure.
5. Behaviour, anti-bullying and participant expectations
Sessions run on clear, consistently applied expectations. Participants are expected to respect coaches, teammates, opponents, officials and the venue.
- Bullying, including online bullying between participants, is challenged, recorded and reported to the commissioning organisation.
- Sanctions are proportionate and never involve physical punishment, humiliation or withdrawal of food or drink.
- Persistent or serious behaviour is managed jointly with the school or referring organisation.
- Physical restraint is not used by PHB staff except where necessary to prevent immediate harm, and is always recorded and reported.
6. Allegations against staff and whistleblowing
Any allegation that an adult working with PHB has harmed a child, or behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk, is treated as a safeguarding matter and not a disciplinary matter in the first instance.
- The allegation is reported immediately to the venue's DSL and PHB's safeguarding lead.
- The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is consulted where the threshold is met.
- The person may be removed from delivery while enquiries take place; this is a neutral act.
- Staff who raise concerns in good faith are protected under our whistleblowing arrangements and will not be disadvantaged.
- LADO contact details for our delivery areas: LADOConsultations@NCTrust.co.uk or call: (M.A.S.H) on 0300 126 7000.
7. Low-level concerns
We record and review low-level concerns — behaviour that does not meet the harm threshold but is inconsistent with our code of conduct. This prevents patterns from being missed.
- All low-level concerns are recorded in writing with date, detail and action taken.
- Records are reviewed for patterns before contracts and DBS renewals.
- Anonymous or third-party concerns are still recorded and considered.
8. Online safety and communication
All communication about programmes goes through the commissioning organisation or a parent or carer, never directly and privately between a coach and a child.
- PHB uses organisational email and organisational accounts only.
- Group communication for a programme is set up with the partner organisation and includes an adult from that organisation.
- Participants are not followed, messaged or added on personal social media accounts.
- Concerns about online harm, sexting, grooming or exploitation seen during delivery are reported under the safeguarding procedure.
9. Photography, filming and consent
Images are only taken where written consent has been obtained through the commissioning organisation, and where doing so is safe for every participant.
- No images are taken on personal devices.
- Children flagged as not to be photographed are excluded from all imagery.
- Images are stored securely, used only for the agreed purpose and deleted in line with our retention schedule.
- Consent form template and retention period: 365 days.
10. Health, safety and risk assessment
Written risk assessments are completed for every venue and programme, and a dynamic check is completed by the lead coach before every session.
- Playing surface, equipment, access, lighting and fire exits are checked before delivery.
- Coach-to-participant ratios agreed with the partner. PHB standard ratios: 1:10, at least 2 adults present
- First aid provision on site: Head Coach/ Shane Walker.
- Public liability insurance: AZBI5711657XB.
11. Emergency, accident and incident procedures
PHB coaches follow a set sequence for accidents, medical emergencies, missing participants and evacuation, and record every incident on the day it happens.
12. Equality, diversity and inclusion
PHB complies with the Equality Act 2010 and designs sessions so that participants of different abilities, backgrounds, genders and needs can take part meaningfully.
13. Data protection, privacy and record keeping
Registers, medical information and emergency contacts are handled under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, held securely, shared only where necessary and retained no longer than required. Safeguarding records are retained in line with statutory guidance.
14. Complaints, review and continuous improvement
Concerns and complaints are welcomed as a way to improve delivery. All policies on this page are reviewed at least annually, and immediately following any significant incident or change in legislation.
Date of last policy review: 7th September 2026. Date of next review: 7th September 2027.