Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy – Young People and Children

• Dressage Addict acknowledges and accepts the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• This policy outlines Dressage Addict’s approach to safeguarding young People and children (under 18s) online.
• We are committed to ensuring our safeguarding practice complies with best practice and reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance.
• We endeavour to follow the Safeguarding principles of the BEF.
• All members of the Dressage Addict administrative team are enhanced DBS checked and registered on the annual update service. Attendance on safeguarding training is in line with current best practice.
• All judges are BD listed and follow the BD Code of Conduct, and safeguarding principles and policy.

Parental Consent

• Under 18s must have parental consent to compete with Dressage Addict.
• Young people aged 16 & 17 years old may register an account. However, this is subject to parental consent, which is included in the registration process.
• Under 16’s are always registered under a parent/ guardian account.
• This is clearly outlined within our Rules
• Entries are only accepted when all mandatory information regarding consent and correct account set up has been provided.
• League Score Boards – The option to have Rider name blanked out is provided on registration to protect privacy.

E-mail Communication

• Communication with young people under 18 years old will only be via e-mail from Dressage Addict official company e-mail accounts.
• A parental/ guardian email account is requested on registration of an account and parent/ guardian will be copied into all email communication.
• E-mails sent to multiple members will be addressed via the BCC box, Dressage Addict will never share a competitor’s e-mail addresses.

Social Media

• All communication will be made via official Dressage Addict social media accounts in relation to messages received from a young person. For example: a comment/ question in relation to a post on the official Facebook page or Instagram. Under no circumstances will personal social media accounts be used.
• Dressage Addict will request written parental permission, in the form or an email and completion of consent form, prior to sharing any images of young riders on social media.

Website

• Dressage Addict takes the responsibility of safeguarding seriously and therefore our Privacy Policy clearly outlines measures in place to protect the privacy all users of our website, including young persons under 18 years old.
• All members are provided with their own Rider Account, as a young person under 16 this will be a parent account. If aged 16 to 18 years old – parental consent will be requested on registering the account. When logging in they have access to their dashboard where all their results are accessible
• All passwords are encrypted
• When competing as part of a team – parent/ guardian of the young person or Nominated named team admin are requested to indicate if a young person is under 18 years old and that parental consent provided. Consent form is provided for completion if under 18 is competing as part of a team.
• The option to have name blanked out on League Scoreboards is provided on registration – if there is a preference for first name only this will also be accommodated.
• Videos are not stored on the website they remain the property of the competitor.
• Videos are submitted by uploading via the Facebook page events page – by submitting in this way the parent/ guardian acknowledges that the video will be public and then submitting link via rider dashboard on website. Alternatively, if members wish the video to remain private it can be submitted by uploading to parent/ guardian You Tube, Vimeo or Dropbox account, ensuring that it is marked as unlisted. Step by step guidance on submission of test videos can be found in our Rules.  Please see Rules and how to submit video information.

When submitted via a You Tube, Vimeo or We Transfer link and marked it will only be viewed by the allocated BD listed Judge and Dressage Addict admin.

• Dressage Addict will obtain parental permission prior to sharing any images of young riders on the Dressage Addict Website News/ Blog or Facebook and Instagram pages.  Any reference to name will limited to first name only. A parental consent form will be provided.

Reporting Concerns:

• If any member of the Dressage Addict team has a concern relating to the welfare of a child or young person, or vulnerable adult our policy is to seek advice from our local social services safeguarding team and follow the appropriate steps advised.
• In the circumstances that someone may be demonstrating inappropriate behaviour in an online environment, we will seek advice from the local safeguarding team and follow the guidance given to ensure this is managed appropriately, reporting to the National Crime Agency as advised.
• Our priority at all times, and especially in the event of a concern being raised, is to protect the safety of the child or young person.
• IF you have any questions relating to this policy or wish to discuss any concerns please contact us by emailing: office@dressageaddict.co.uk