1 Policy Statement
Peterborough & District Angling Association acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people (under 18) and adults at risk involved in our activities. We are committed to ensuring that every member, junior, and visitor — regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity — has the right to protection from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Junior coaching and organised junior activities at P&DAA waters are delivered by School Of Fish Ltd, a limited company formed by P&DAA. School Of Fish Ltd operates under this policy and is staffed by qualified, DBS-checked coaches.
2 Scope
This policy applies to:
- The Leadership Team (Chairman and Heads of department).
- All volunteers including bailiffs, match organisers, and committee members.
- School Of Fish Ltd coaches delivering junior coaching at P&DAA waters.
- Visiting demonstrators or guest speakers at any club event.
- Members in their conduct around junior anglers and vulnerable adults at P&DAA venues.
3 Key Roles and Responsibilities
3.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
P&DAA's Designated Safeguarding Lead is the Head of Enforcement, with the Chairman as deputy in their absence.
Contact for safeguarding matters: support@fishinginpeterborough.co.uk
The DSL is responsible for:
- Receiving and recording safeguarding information from volunteers, members, parents, or coaches.
- Assessing information promptly and carefully.
- Referring cases to the Local Authority Children's Social Care, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), or the Police where necessary.
- Liaising with School Of Fish Ltd's own safeguarding contact for incidents arising during coached sessions.
- Maintaining the club's safeguarding records.
3.2 Volunteers and Members
Anyone with a concern about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult must report it to the DSL immediately. Volunteers must read this policy and sign to confirm they have done so before taking up any role involving contact with juniors.
4 Safer Recruitment
To prevent unsuitable people from working with children, P&DAA enforces a strict recruitment procedure for any role with regular access to juniors:
- DBS checks: Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks are mandatory for coaches and for bailiffs whose duties bring them into regular contact with junior anglers.
- References: at least two references will be sought and verified before any new volunteer takes up a junior-facing role.
- Qualifications: coaching qualifications (Angling Trust Level 1 / Level 2) and First Aid certification are verified before deployment.
- Induction: new volunteers must complete an induction covering this policy and the Health & Safety Policy before working unsupervised.
5 Code of Conduct: Bankside & Coaching Practice
Because angling involves remote locations, equipment use, and sometimes physical guidance, specific rules apply.
5.1 Physical Contact
- Principle: physical contact should be minimal, appropriate, and open.
- Permitted: guiding a junior's hand on the rod handle for casting, or assisting with safely holding a fish.
- Procedure: coaches and volunteers must ask permission before any physical guidance (e.g. "Is it OK if I help you steady the rod?").
- Prohibited: any contact that is invasive, secretive, or unnecessary.
5.2 One-to-One Situations
- Volunteers and coaches must avoid being alone with a junior in a secluded area.
- All coaching and bankside support should take place within sight or hearing of others (parents, other coaches, the main group, or another volunteer).
- If a junior needs help away from the group (for example, a tangled line in bushes), two adults should ideally be present.
5.3 Transport
P&DAA volunteers and School Of Fish coaches must never transport a junior in their private vehicle except in a specific emergency, with explicit written parental consent and a second adult present.
6 Recognising and Responding to Concerns
6.1 Signs of Abuse or Neglect
- Physical abuse: unexplained bruises, injuries, or fear of physical contact.
- Emotional abuse: withdrawn behaviour, fear of making mistakes, or marked aggression.
- Neglect: inadequate clothing for the weather, consistent hunger, or poor hygiene.
6.2 Reporting Procedure (the 3 Rs)
If a volunteer, coach, or member has a concern:
- Recognise: accept the concern is real. Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
- Record: write down exactly what was seen or heard (using the child's own words where possible) on an Incident Report Form. Include date, time, and witnesses.
- Report: pass the information to the DSL immediately. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
7 Allegations Against a Volunteer or Coach
If an allegation is made against a P&DAA volunteer, Leadership Team member, or School Of Fish coach:
- The accused will be suspended from any role involving contact with juniors immediately, pending investigation. This is not an admission of guilt.
- The DSL will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice within 24 hours.
- P&DAA will cooperate fully with any police or social-care investigation.
- The Leadership Team will be informed and will consider any wider risk to other juniors or members.
8 Photography and Digital Safety
- Photographs or videos of juniors at P&DAA events require explicit written parental consent.
- Volunteers and coaches must not take photos or videos of juniors on personal devices. Approved club devices or School Of Fish equipment only.
- Volunteers and coaches must not accept friend requests or follow junior participants on personal social media. All communication must go via parents or official club channels.
9 Whistleblowing
P&DAA encourages a culture of openness. If a volunteer, member, or coach feels unable to report a concern to the DSL — for example, if the concern is about the DSL — they should contact:
- NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285
- Angling Trust Safeguarding Officer: via anglingtrust.net
- The P&DAA Chairman directly: support@fishinginpeterborough.co.uk