Archery GB has begun work on a new ‘one policy’ approach aimed at streamlining safeguarding by combining the former children and adult policies into one document.
The policy will be used to set the culture and tone of our sport and will serve as a statement of intent to keep everyone safe in archery.
All members will be invited to sign up and read the policy which will be owned by everyone linked to Archery GB.
While this process is underway, you may find policies with expired review dates such as the current safeguarding adults’ policy. Please be assured that all policies remain up-to-date and should be followed until any further updates are published.
Justine Hosking wants members to share what safeguarding means to them
Justine Hosking, a member of Archery GB’s Case Management Panel (CMP), recently attended the LimeCulture Safer Sport Conference as the independent chair of the CMP.
The conference launched best practice guidance to help sport’s governing bodies create one policy to safeguard everyone. The conference explored how developing a safeguarding policy that helps everyone enjoy their sport builds a positive, healthy and safer culture in sport. The new ‘one policy’ approach was developed in partnership with British Gymnastics following the Whyte Review and has already been adopted by BG and other pilot governing bodies.
Justine said: “There is a big emphasis on involving representatives and members from all levels of a sport to collectively develop and adopt the intentions set out in a safeguarding policy which covers both children and adults.”
The CMP considers some cases where warning signs or indicators have not been recognised or addressed at an early stage which has enabled harm and abuse to take place. This is already being addressed by AGB where members are encouraged to think about how to approach behaviour which falls short of the Code of Conduct under the Lower-Level Concerns policy to prevent matters escalating.
Justine said: “The best practice guidance is another opportunity for members to work with the Board to agree what safeguarding means to you and to AGB and set it out in one policy.”
Archery GB’s Safeguarding Team will be inviting members to participate in the wholesale review of the safeguarding policy in the autumn.
Justine added: “I hope that you will want to get involved and promote it as part of your sport’s vision of enriching lives through the sport of archery.”
