Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all NXT Level staff, and to the partners and schools we collaborate with. It is designed to work in conjunction with the safeguarding policies of the schools where we operate, as well as any relevant policies of our partner organisations. This policy references the following legislation and government guidance. NXT Level is committed to an annual review of our safeguarding procedures and policy

Guidance and Legislation

Guidance:

● DfE Statutory guidance Working together to safeguard children

● DfE Statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education

● DfE Statutory guidance Keeping Children safe during community activities, after-school clubs and tuition

● HM Government Guidance What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused ● Home Office Guidance Mandatory Reporting of FGM

Legislation:

● The Children Act 1989

● Children Act 2004

● Education Act 2021

● Children and Social Work Act 2017

NXT Level's Safeguarding Statement

At NXT Level, we believe that no child or vulnerable person should ever experience abuse of any kind. We are committed to safeguarding children and young people in all our programs and recognise our responsibility to ensure that all staff, particularly our sports coaches, are trained and supported to identify and address safeguarding concerns. We also ensure that our partners and schools follow the necessary protocols to protect children and keep them safe. Our goal is to foster a culture of safeguarding within NXT Level, ensuring everyone involved understands their responsibility to protect the well-being of children, particularly in primary and secondary schools where we operate.

Purpose of this Policy

The primary purposes of this policy are to:

● Protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults engaged in NXT Level programs.

● Provide clear safeguarding guidance to all NXT Level staff, particularly sports coaches working in schools.

● Ensure that all staff understand how to report safeguarding concerns within NXT Level, and to the relevant authorities when necessary.

NXT Level's Safeguarding Approach

Staff Training and Recruitment

Our staff are at the forefront of our interactions with children and young people, and their role comes with significant safeguarding responsibilities. All NXT Level staff must:

● Undergo an Enhanced DBS check before beginning work. ● Complete mandatory safeguarding training in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidelines, with regular refreshers.

● Be aware of the safeguarding procedures and policies of the schools they are in.

● Immediately report any safeguarding concerns to the DSL or DDSL and follow up with a written incident report.

When our staff are working in schools, they should:

● Always follow the school's safeguarding protocols and ensure they are aware of the Designated Safeguarding Lead at each school.

● Never be alone with a child. If private conversations are necessary, these should be conducted in a visible and open space.

● Avoid any form of physical contact with children that could be misinterpreted, following professional boundaries at all times.

● Ensure proper handover of children at the end of sessions, either to their teacher, parent, or designated carer.

● The DSL and DDSL have completed advanced safeguarding training and are available during all working hours for consultation and support.

Incident Reporting

● Any safeguarding concerns or incidents should be reported immediately to the DSL. The DSL will escalate the matter to the school’s DSL, who will then liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as required.

● In urgent cases where a child is at immediate risk, staff should contact the police and notify the DSL immediately.

Our coaches will regularly communicate with school staff to ensure seamless safeguarding procedures, particularly during transitions before and after NXT Level coaching sessions.

Partner Schools

NXT Level works closely with partner schools to ensure a safe and effective safeguarding environment during our coaching sessions. This includes:

● Establishing clear handover times and procedures between school and NXT Level staff.

● Collaborating on safeguarding procedures to ensure the well-being of all students, both during and after the school day.

● Reporting any safeguarding concerns that arise during our sessions directly to the school's DSL, who will then liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as required.

If any safeguarding concerns arise involving school students during our programs, we will report these to the school’s DSL within one working day. All safeguarding incidents will be documented and shared with the relevant safeguarding authorities as appropriate.

Mobile Phone Usage

At NXT Level Sport & Education, the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is our top priority. We understand that mobile phones can be a necessary tool for communication, especially in emergencies; however, strict guidelines must be followed to ensure they do not interfere with our primary duty of safeguarding children.

Guidelines for Mobile Phone Use:

1. Usage:

Mobile phones must not be used during sessions or in areas where children are present, except in cases of emergencies.

○ Staff members should refrain from making or receiving calls, sending messages, or using mobile devices for any other purpose during these times.

○ They should only be used during breaks or in non-supervisory areas (e.g. staff rooms).

2. Emergencies:

In case of an emergency, staff members are permitted to use their mobile phones but must:

○ Inform a colleague of the situation if possible.

○ Move to an area away from the children while ensuring that supervision remains intact.

○ Keep the call as brief as possible and return to full supervision duties immediately once the situation is resolved.

3. Further Usage:

○ Mobile phones should be kept on silent or vibrate mode during working hours to minimise distractions.

○ Personal phone usage, including browsing social media, is not permitted during working hours while children are in your care. This helps maintain professional boundaries and ensures full attention is given to the children.

4. Photographs:

Photographs or videos of children are strictly prohibited on personal mobile devices.

○ Any photographs or recordings for educational or promotional purposes must be taken with designated equipment provided by NXT Level Sport & Education.

○ Any photographs or recordings must only be taken with appropriate permissions from parents or guardians

Enforcement:

Failure to adhere to this mobile phone policy may result in disciplinary action, as it compromises the safeguarding of the children. All staff are expected to model responsible phone usage in the presence of children and prioritise their welfare at all times.

Hirers

NXT Level is dedicated to providing safe and secure environments for the use of community spaces, including school facilities during out-of-hours. We implement rigorous procedures to ensure that all activities hosted at our venues prioritise the safety and well-being of attendees, especially children and vulnerable adults. Below are the key steps we take to enforce safeguarding expectations: Our hirers bear the primary responsibility for safeguarding their participants, particularly when working with children or vulnerable individuals. As part of our booking process, hirers must accept our terms and conditions, which include safeguarding commitments. If their activities involve young people or vulnerable adults, they are also required to provide a safeguarding policy, which is subject to routine checks, both in policy review and on-site practice.

Key Steps for Safeguarding with Hirers:

● Terms and Conditions: NXT Level ensures all hirers agree to our Terms and Conditions at the time of booking. These terms outline safeguarding obligations, which include the requirement for hirers to have their own safeguarding policies in place and to ensure that all personnel working with children have undergone appropriate DBS checks.

● Compliance: Our Terms and Conditions mandate compliance with relevant safeguarding legislation, including the Department for Education's ‘Keeping Children Safe in Out-of-School Settings’ guidance. NXT Level retains the right to terminate any booking immediately if these safeguarding standards are not met.

● Responsibility: Hirers are responsible for supervising all attendees on-site, including children, ensuring that they are appropriately cared for throughout the event.

● Prevent Duty Compliance: We require hirers, particularly religious groups, to affirm that their values align with British Values. Groups with political or religious affiliations undergo further vetting by our team to ensure compliance with the Prevent Duty.

● Safeguarding Policy Submission: Hirers who work with young people or vulnerable adults must submit a safeguarding policy as part of the booking process. Those who do not work with these groups are required to complete an opt-out declaration.

● Spot Checks: NXT Level conducts routine on-site spot checks to verify that hirers are adhering to their safeguarding policies, as well as relevant government guidelines. We assess safeguarding practices during these checks, ensuring that hirers uphold their responsibility to protect all participants.

● Vetting and Risk Management: We implement comprehensive vetting procedures for all bookings. This includes verifying Public Liability Insurance certificates, prohibiting the consumption of alcohol, limiting the types of events and number of attendees, and requiring direct communication with our staff as part of the booking process.

● Supervision and Safety Measures: Where possible, hirers are grouped to minimise the mixing of children and adults, particularly concerning the use of shared facilities such as restrooms. In instances where this separation isn't feasible, hirers are responsible for ensuring adequate supervision. Our staff are trained to monitor and report any instances of unsupervised children at events.

Through these measures, NXT Level is committed to fostering a safe and secure environment for all who use our spaces, ensuring that safeguarding is a top priority in everything we do.

How We Manage Reported Safeguarding Concerns

NXT Level manages safeguarding concerns through a clear escalation process:

● Immediate Concerns: If a child is in immediate danger, staff should contact the police or social services directly.

● Reported Concerns: All reported concerns are reviewed by our Designated Safeguarding Lead. The DSL will escalate the matter to the school’s DSL, who will then liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as required.

● Follow-Up: The DSL will oversee any necessary follow-up actions and ensure that appropriate records are kept.

If concerns involve a member of NXT Level staff, the concern will also be escalated to the LADO, and appropriate disciplinary or legal action will be taken as required.

Promoting a Culture of Safeguarding

At NXT Level, we are committed to creating an open, transparent culture where safeguarding is a priority. We achieve this through:

● Regular training and spot checks for our coaches to ensure compliance with safeguarding best practices.

● Continuous communication with schools and safeguarding partners to address concerns promptly and effectively.

● Encouraging staff to report any low-level concerns to prevent issues from escalating.

Reviewing Our Safeguarding Policy

NXT Level is committed to reviewing and updating this policy annually to reflect any changes in legislation or best practices. We encourage our staff and partners to provide feedback and engage with our safeguarding review process. This policy serves as a guide to our commitment to safeguarding and provides the framework for the protection of all children and vulnerable individuals we work with at NXT Level.