Background 

Sport Newcastle is a registered charity committed to promoting grassroots sport and other healthy physical activities across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham. Operating almost entirely through volunteers, Sport Newcastle raises funds enabling the charity to make small financial grants to young sports people across the region to assist them in achieving their sporting goals, and to grassroots sports clubs to assist them in promoting sport and other beneficial physical activities in their communities.

 1. Purpose of this Policy

Whilst the charity does not directly deliver sporting programmes delivery of its’ core activities and the fulfilment of its’ charity objectives inevitability brings it into contact with children and vulnerable young adults through fundraising and promotional events, meetings and award activity. Sport Newcastle is committed to ensuring that children, young people and adults at risk who engage with our activities are protected from harm. Safeguarding is central to everything we do and underpins our mission to use sport and physical activity to improve lives across Newcastle and the wider North East.

 This policy sets out Sport Newcastle’s commitment to Safeguarding and the principles and responsibilities that guide our approach so as to ensure compliance with the statutory obligations set out in section 3 below.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All trustees
• Staff and Office holders
• Volunteers
• Contractors
• Partner organisations delivering activities on behalf of Sport Newcastle

It covers all Sport Newcastle activities, events, programmes and services where children, young people or adults at risk may be involved.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is informed by and complies with relevant UK legislation and guidance, including:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• The Care Act 2014
• NSPCC safeguarding guidance
• Charity Commission safeguarding requirements I suggest we add a link to the CC Guidance here.

Sport Newcastle recognises its duty of care and responsibility to act where there are concerns about welfare or safety. All trustees, office holders, volunteers and others who undertake activities on the charity’s behalf are required to familiarise themselves with the Charity Commission Guidance.  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-protecting-people-for-charities-and-trustees

4. Our Safeguarding Commitment

Sport Newcastle believes that:

• All children and young people have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
• All individuals should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or background
• Some individuals may be particularly vulnerable and require additional safeguards
• Listening to and valuing the views of children and young people is essential

5. How We Keep People Safe

Sport Newcastle is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment by:

• Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a trustee with Safeguarding oversight^[1] 

The current Designated Safeguarding Lead is Kingsley Hyland khyland.t21@btinternet.com 

The current Trustee with Safeguarding Oversight is Roger Tames roger@tames.media 

• Ensuring robust recruitment and safer working practices for staff and volunteers
• Providing Safeguarding training appropriate to roles and responsibilities
• Promoting a culture where concerns can be raised without fear
• Having clear procedures for responding to Safeguarding concerns or disclosures so as to ensure that everyone has confidence that any concerns will be dealt with appropriately
• Working in partnership with statutory agencies and Safeguarding partners when required
• Ensuring Safeguarding considerations are embedded into programme design and delivery

6. Reporting Concerns

All Safeguarding concerns must be taken seriously and acted upon promptly.

Anyone involved or engaging with Sport Newcastle who has a concern about the safety or welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk must Report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead who must:

• Record the concern factually and accurately
• Act promptly to prevent or minimise any further harm or damage
• Ensure that all records are handled in a secure and responsible way
• Maintain confidentiality and only share information on a need to know basis

If there is an immediate risk of harm, emergency services and any other relevant agencies should be contacted without delay.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Board of Trustees

• Holds ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding within Sport Newcastle
• Ensures Safeguarding policies are in place, implemented and reviewed regularly
• Is under a duty to identify and manage risks having regard to what the Charity does and who it engages with whether in person or online

Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Acts as the main point of contact for Safeguarding concerns
• Ensures concerns are managed appropriately and escalated when necessary
• Maintains Safeguarding records securely

Staff and Volunteers

• Have a duty to safeguard those they work with
• Must follow this policy and associated procedures
• Must undertake Safeguarding training as required by the trustees

8. Safer Working and Conduct

Sport Newcastle expects all staff and volunteers to:

• Act in the best interests of children and adults at risk at all times
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and professional behaviour
• Avoid situations where they are alone with a child unless necessary and authorised
• Never tolerate or ignore abuse or poor practice

Codes of conduct support this policy and must be adhered to at all times.

9. Review and Monitoring

This safeguarding policy will be:

• Reviewed at least annually
• Updated in line with changes in legislation or guidance
• Approved by the Board of Trustees

Safeguarding is a standing agenda item for trustee oversight.

10. Support and External Contacts

If advice or external support is needed, the NSPCC Helpline can be contacted on 0808 800 5000.

Approved by: Sport Newcastle Board of Trustees

Date approved: 29^th April 2026

Next review date: 9^th May 2026

^[1] The role of Designated Safeguarding Lead is undertaken by the Secretary to the Charity. The Chairman of Trustees will take responsibility for the role of trustee with Safeguarding oversight.