Club Welfare Officer

Aim of Role

The ARCC Club Welfare Officer plays a key role in maintaining high standards in relation to vulnerable groups, including children, young people and adults at risk, participating in cycling: allowing piece of mind for members and their families ensuring that everyone has a fun, enjoyable and safe experience.

The main aim of the role is to promote safeguarding within the club, working with others to ensure that a safe and inclusive environment is achieved. 

Roles & Responsibilities

The Club Welfare Officer is the person with primary responsibility for managing and reporting concerns about children or adults at risk within the club and for putting in to place safeguarding procedures.

It is important to highlight however that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and all at the club should do their bit.

Policy and Procedures

  1. To assist the club in putting Safeguarding Policy and Procedures in place
  2. To work with others in the club to ensure safeguarding information, including policies, reporting procedures and details of the Club Welfare Officer are visible and available
  3. To promote awareness of the Codes of Conduct for volunteers, coaches, members (juniors and adults) and parents.
  4. To ensure that safe appointment procedures for members and volunteers are followed when working with others in the club
  5. To ensure that, where necessary, all existing members or volunteers have an up-to- date DBS Enhanced Disclosure. These should be updated every 3 years.

Referrals

  1. To be the first point of contact for club members, volunteers, young people and parents for any issues concerning child welfare / adults at risk, poor practice and potential or alleged abuse.
  2. To work with the British Cycling Lead Safeguarding Officer when concerns arise and ensure that all incidents are reported correctly.
  3. To contact the Local Authority children’s or adults’ social care teams and the police about concerns where appropriate.
  4. To act independently and in the best interests of the child, putting their needs above that of others and the club itself.
  5. To ensure confidentiality is maintained and information is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
  6. Maintain contact details for the local children’s social care department, the police and Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

General

  1. Work with others in the club to ensure a positive child-centred environment.
  2. To signpost those with roles and responsibilities for children and young people to appropriate safeguarding training opportunities.
  3. Assist British Cycling to fulfil its responsibilities to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk at club level.
  4. To sit on the club management committee to advise on child safeguarding issues or be in attendance as necessary.
  5. To be a regular attendee at club activities, such as coaching sessions, rides and races. Attendance at every event is not necessary but will need to be known throughout the club. 

Safeguarding Policy

  1. The club will follow the BRITISH CYCLING Safeguarding policy for both Adult Safeguarding and Child Safeguarding Policies as an affiliated club.

How to contact the ARCC Club Welfare Officer