Safeguarding Children

The Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA) has responsibility for creating a safe, fun and inclusive environment for everyone to participate in wheelchair basketball. I am therefore delighted to introduce the GBWBA; Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy; Safety Nets

As a National Governing Body of sport, the GBWBA has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided for everyone involved in wheelchair basketball. Therefore, through the development, communication and implementation of the Safety Nets Policy we aim to maintain and increase the professionalism and safeguards of good practice that have been set as standard throughout our sporting landscape.

In accordance with national legislation and guidance, we have created a policy that promotes welfare, equal opportunities and safeguarding regardless as to whether you are a participant, coach, volunteer or spectator. In addition, we have actively highlighted throughout the Safety Nets Policy, that it is the responsibility of everyone within wheelchair basketball to highlight areas of abuse and/or poor practice and to act in response to any concerns.

Throughout the developmental process of the Safety Nets Policy, many local, regional and national partners have been consulted. Reference has been made to relevant legislation, guidance and government policy, including the Every Child Matters: Change for Children strategy (Department for Education and Skills, 2004) which identifies five outcomes as key to achieving better outcomes in childhood and later life:

  • Being healthy
  • Staying safe
  • Enjoying and achieving
  • Making a positive contribution
  • Achieving economic wellbeing.

By developing policies and procedures such as the Safety Nets Policy GBWBA is demonstrating its commitment to establishing an environment where all participants in our sport can be supported to achieve these outcomes.