Safeguarding

The Club has two Welfare Officers, Jo Pearse and Carl Wood and Deputy Welfare Officer, David Keep.

The Royal Yachting Association 'RYA', the umbrella organisation for sailing in the UK says that Club Welfare Officers are responsible for acting as a voice for safeguarding within their club, working with the committee to ensure best practice is adhered to and to coordinate actions within the club, should a concern or referral arise.

Welfare Officers main responsibilities are in the following areas:

Policies and procedures:
* Provide guidance on safeguarding child/adults protection within the club and ensure that it remains high on the committee's agenda
* Ensure that the club has up-to-date Safeguarding and Bullying and Harassment policies which are in line with the RYA's
* Promote the club's Code of Conduct
* Implement safe recruitment processes and procedures
* Support the Lead Signatory for disclosure and Barring Service 'DBS' checks when these are required for those employees and volunteers regularly working with children or vulnerable adults.
* Club Welfare Officers undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure for their role as Club Welfare Officer.

Referrals:
* Receive information from anyone including club staff, volunteers, children or parents and carers who have child/adult protection concerns and record them.
* Clarify the concern using open questions and decide on the appropriate course of action to be taken, in line with the SDSWC's processes and procedures
* Keep the RYA informed as necessary.