St.Albans City ABC Policies

At St.Albans City ABC, our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our members, particularly children and vulnerable individuals. We are committed to upholding the highest safeguarding standards, ensuring everyone entering our club is protected, supported, and respected. Below is an overview of our comprehensive safeguarding policy, designed to keep our community safe and secure.

Safeguarding Policy

At St.Albans City ABC, we are fully dedicated to creating a safe environment for all participants, especially children and vulnerable individuals. Our safeguarding policy ensures that every team member, from trustees to coaches, is well-trained and equipped to protect those in their care.

1. Child Protection Measures

Every coach and staff member working directly with children or vulnerable individuals is required to follow our strict safeguarding protocols, which include:

DBS Checks

All individuals working with children and vulnerable individuals must undergo enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. This ensures that all adults involved in our programmes have been thoroughly vetted for their suitability to work with young people.

Annual Safeguarding Training

All coaches undergo safeguarding training annually, as mandated by England Boxing. This ensures they are current on the latest child protection guidelines and understand how to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns.

Health & Safety Training

Coaches must complete health and safety courses, including first aid training and how to use a defibrillator in an emergency.

Coaching Certification

Every coach at St.Albans City ABC holds a minimum Level 1 England-approved coaching certificate, ensuring they have the proper knowledge and skills to coach safely and effectively.

2. Reporting Procedures

Every coach and staff member working directly with children or vulnerable individuals is required to follow our strict safeguarding protocols, which include:

Investigation and Action

Once a concern is reported, our safeguarding officers will initiate an immediate investigation, following procedures outlined by England Boxing and local child protection authorities. We ensure that any safeguarding issue is addressed with sensitivity and urgency.

Confidential Reporting

If a child, parent, or staff member is concerned, they can confidentially report the issue to a designated safeguarding officer. This can be done in person or through our Safeguarding Reporting Form, which is available on our website.

Designated Safeguarding Officers

Our club has designated safeguarding officers responsible for handling all safeguarding matters. They are trained to take immediate action if any concerns are raised.

3. Commitment to Best Practices

St.Albans City ABC is committed to continually reviewing and improving our safeguarding practices. All our coaches are required to refresh their training annually, and we regularly review our policies to align with updates from England Boxing and national safeguarding standards.

Vulnerable Individuals Protection

Anyone working with or near children or vulnerable individuals must comply with our safeguarding policies, complete all necessary training, and maintain a safe environment.

Defibrillator Training

Every coach is trained to use a defibrillator in emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of all members.

At St.Albans City ABC, safeguarding is not just a policy—it’s a fundamental commitment to the safety and well-being of every individual in our club. We encourage parents, guardians, and community members to participate in this ongoing effort to ensure a secure and nurturing environment for all.

For more information or to report a safeguarding concern, please contact our safeguarding officer via our online reporting form or in person at the gym.

This policy reflects our club’s values and dedication to protecting young people and vulnerable individuals. We want to assure you that we adhere to the highest safeguarding standards, ensuring a secure and trustworthy environment for all.

Health & Safety Policy

At St.Albans City ABC, the health and safety of our members, staff, and visitors is paramount. We are committed to providing a safe environment for all participating in our boxing programmes, ensuring everyone can train and compete in a secure and well-managed setting. Our health and safety policy outlines the measures we take to protect the well-being of all individuals at our club.

1. Health & Safety Training

Our coaches and staff must undergo comprehensive health and safety training as part of their qualification to work at St.Albans City ABC. This training ensures that our team is fully equipped to:

Risk Assessment

Coaches regularly assess the boxing area, equipment, and overall gym environment to ensure everything is safe and fit for purpose. Any hazards or potential risks are immediately addressed.

Use of Defibrillators

Every coach has received specific training on using a defibrillator. Our team is ready and capable of using this life-saving equipment in a cardiac emergency.

Respond to Emergencies

Coaches are trained in first aid, ensuring they can act quickly and appropriately if an accident or injury occurs during training or events. They are also trained to handle emergencies in line with England Boxing’s health and safety protocols.

2. Safe Training Environment

We are committed to maintaining a safe and controlled environment at all times:

Emergency Procedures

All members and staff are informed of emergency procedures. If necessary, our team is prepared to follow an established action plan, including evacuations.

Safe Space for Training

Our gym is designed to minimise risk and ensure safety during training. We guarantee that the boxing ring, training areas, and general spaces are free from hazards. Regular cleaning and maintenance keep the environment in top condition.

Well-Maintained Equipment

All boxing equipment, including gloves, bags, pads, and protective gear, is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure safety. Any worn or damaged equipment is immediately replaced.

3. Health & Safety for Participants

We prioritise the health and safety of all our participants, ensuring they can train with confidence:

Hydration and Breaks

Our coaches closely monitor participants to ensure they stay hydrated and take necessary breaks during intense training sessions, reducing the risk of fatigue-related injuries.

Protective Gear

During training and sparring, all participants must wear the appropriate protective gear, including headgear, mouthguards, and gloves. This minimises the risk of injury and ensures a safe training experience.

Pre-Training Medical Assessments

All participants are required to complete a medical assessment before joining the club. This ensures that they are fit to train and can participate safely in our boxing programmes.

4. Regular Safety Reviews

Health and safety practices are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure we are always in line with the latest regulations and guidelines:

Ongoing Training for Staff

Our team receives regular health and safety practice updates to ensure they remain knowledgeable and compliant with the latest standards.

Feedback from Members

We actively encourage feedback from our members regarding health and safety concerns. Any issues raised are promptly investigated and addressed to maintain the highest level of safety.

Annual Safety Audits

We conduct annual health and safety audits to review our policies and procedures and ensure that our practices meet the standards of England Boxing and other governing bodies.

Safety is at the core of everything we do at St. Albans City ABC. We are committed to maintaining the highest health and safety standards to ensure everyone, from beginners to seasoned athletes, can train in a safe and supportive environment.

For more information about our health and safety practices or to report any health and safety concerns, please contact our team directly or speak to a coach during your next visit.

Our Health and Safety Policy is a testament to our club’s dedication to providing a secure and well-managed environment for all participants. We are proud to align with the required safety standards set by governing bodies, ensuring the highest level of safety for our members.

Privacy Policy

At St.Albans City ABC, we are committed to protecting the privacy of our members, donors, volunteers, and website visitors. This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard any personal information provided to us. We are dedicated to ensuring that your data is handled responsibly and complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant UK privacy laws.

1. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide and improve our services, communicate with our members, and maintain our operations. The types of data we may collect include:

Payment Information

Donations, sponsorships, and class fees are securely processed through accredited payment systems.

Contact Information

Including email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses for communication purposes.

Personal Identification Information

Such as name, age, and date of birth for membership records and programme enrolment.

Website Usage Information

When you visit our website, we may collect data on how it is used, using tools such as cookies to improve your online experience.

Medical and Emergency Information

This is for safeguarding purposes, particularly for youth members, to ensure safety during training sessions and events.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information provided to us solely to operate, manage, and improve the services we offer at St.Albans City ABC. Specific uses include:

Health and Safety

To ensure the safety of our members by having relevant medical information on file in case of emergencies.

Communication

To send important updates about classes, events, and charity activities and to respond to inquiries.

Membership Management

Manage enrolments and class registrations and maintain member records.

Website Improvement

To analyse website traffic and improve user experience based on visitor behaviour.

Fundraising and Donations

To process donations, manage sponsorships, and provide relevant updates to supporters.

We do not share your personal information with third parties unless explicitly agreed upon, except as required by law or when we work with trusted service providers to process data on our behalf (e.g., secure payment systems).

3. Data Protection and Security

We are committed to maintaining the security of your data. Measures in place include:

Regular Audits and Updates

Our data protection practices are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with GDPR and UK privacy regulations.

Payment Protection

We use reputable, secure payment processors for all financial transactions to protect your payment information.

Secure Data Storage

All data is stored securely, with access limited to authorised personnel only.

4. Your Data Rights

As a data subject, you have rights under the GDPR regarding your personal information. These rights include:

Erasure of Data

In certain circumstances, you may request that we delete your personal information.

Correction of Data

Please ask us to correct or update any inaccurate or outdated information.

Access to Information

You have the right to request a copy of any personal data we hold about you.

To exercise these rights or if you have any questions about your data, please get in touch with us at hello@stalbansabc.co.uk

5. Cookies and Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies to enhance user experience and analyse site usage. Cookies are small files stored on your device that allow us to identify your browser and gather website activity data. We respect your privacy and give you the control to manage your cookie settings through your browser. However, please note that turning off cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

Types of Cookies Used:

Analytics Cookies

They are used to track website traffic and user interaction to improve our online services.

Session Cookies

Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser.

6. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We may periodically update our privacy policy to reflect changes in regulation or operations. Any updates will be posted on this page, and we encourage all members and visitors to review it regularly to stay informed about how we safeguard their data.

At St.Albans City ABC, we respect and value your privacy. We are committed to transparent data practices and ensuring that all personal information is handled securely and responsibly. For more information or to contact us about privacy concerns, please email hello@stalbansabc.co.uk.

This Privacy Policy reflects our commitment to protecting personal data and maintaining transparency with our members and supporters. It is designed to ensure that we are in full compliance with the stringent UK and GDPR standards, providing you with a secure and compliant experience.

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