AW Performance Hockey – Safeguarding & Child Wellbein Policy

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At AW Performance Hockey, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where all children and young people can enjoy hockey free from harm. We believe:

• Every child has the right to protection from abuse, harm, neglect, and exploitation.
• Every child should be listened to, taken seriously, and treated with respect.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we actively promote a culture of openness, trust, and accountability.

This policy applies to:

• All children and young people attending AW Performance Hockey sessions
• All coaches, volunteers, contractors, and staff
• Parents, guardians, and spectators at any session or event

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for AW Performance Hockey is:

Name: Aiden Wren
Role: Director and Safeguarding Lead
Email: safeguarding@awperformancehockey.co.uk (or preferred email)
Phone: [Insert contact number]

All safeguarding concerns should be raised directly with the DSL. In an emergency, always contact 999 or Police Scotland.

All players, staff, and parents must follow our code of conduct, which includes:

• Treating others with respect and dignity
• Never using bullying, coercion, threats, or inappropriate language or behaviour
• Keeping communication appropriate at all times (both in person and online)
• Listening to players’ concerns and taking them seriously

You can request a full Code of Conduct for Players and Parents separately.

We recognise that harm may be caused by:

• Physical, emotional or sexual abuse
• Bullying, coercion or exclusion
• Inappropriate jokes, games, or peer pressure
• Neglect or lack of supervision

If anyone (child, coach, or parent) has a concern:

• Report it to the Safeguarding Lead (Aiden Wren)
• Concerns will be handled sensitively, fairly, and promptly
• Parents will be informed when appropriate, unless this puts the child at further risk
• We may contact safeguarding organisations for guidance (e.g. Children 1st, Police Scotland, or Child Protection in Sport)

When a concern is raised, AW Performance Hockey will:

• Log the concern in a secure safeguarding incident record
• Take immediate protective steps (e.g. separating children, pausing attendance)
• Contact appropriate safeguarding advisers or services
• Involve families as appropriate and safe to do so
• Follow up with clear communication and appropriate resolution

AW Performance Hockey will:

• Speak openly with players about respect, personal boundaries, and consent
• Ensure all players know who they can speak to if they feel unsafe
• Promote positive peer culture and leadership
• Review our practices regularly with external safeguarding guidance

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or following any major incident, update in law, or advice from safeguarding experts.

Policy Last Updated: 12 April 2025
Next Review Due: April 2026

Turned into a branded PDF or Canva-style one-pager

• Uploaded to a Google Doc with editable access
• Paired with a matching Incident Report Form, Code of Conduct, and Restorative Conversation guide

 gives you a clear framework to protect your players and your coaching business.