Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Version 1.0 · Approved by: Charlie Kiernan, Centre Manager · Date approved: 18 October 2026 · Next review: October 2027

1. Our commitment

BoxcleverLDN runs Youth Club classes and youth personal training for children aged 8 to 15. The welfare of every child and young person who trains with us is our first priority. Every child, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, has the right to be protected from harm. We will take every concern seriously and act on it.

2. Who this policy applies to

This policy applies to all owners, managers, coaches, personal trainers, front-of-house staff, contractors and volunteers who work with or around under-18s at BoxcleverLDN, including at events and off-site sessions. In this policy, "child" means anyone under 18.

3. The law and guidance we follow

  • Children Act 1989 and 2004

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory guidance for England)

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements

  • UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018

  • NSPCC CPSU Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport, and England Boxing safeguarding guidance

4. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for receiving concerns, keeping records and making referrals.

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead: Charlie Kiernan, Centre Manager, 020 4618 1120, hi@boxcleverldn.com

  • All safeguarding enquiries and concerns should be sent to hi@boxcleverldn.com. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

The DSL will complete recognised safeguarding training (for example, the CPSU or England Boxing safeguarding course) and refresh it at least every 3 years.

5. Safer recruitment

  • Everyone who coaches or supervises under-18s has an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check, renewed every 3 years.

  • We take up two references and check identity and coaching qualifications before anyone works with children.

  • New coaches complete a safeguarding induction and read this policy and our code of conduct before their first youth session.

  • Every coach completes basic safeguarding training before they work with children.

6. Running safe sessions

  • Coach-to-child ratio: no more than 10 children per coach in Youth Club classes.

  • We take a register at every session and keep a parent or guardian contact and any medical information for every child.

  • A parent or guardian completes a registration and consent form, including medical details and photo consent, before a child's first session.

  • Children are signed in and out. We only release a child to their parent, guardian or a named adult the parent has authorised in advance. Children may only leave alone if a parent has given written permission.

  • If a child is not collected, two adults stay with them while we contact the parent and then the emergency contacts.

  • One-to-one youth personal training takes place in the open gym area, in view of other people. For children under 12, a parent or guardian must stay on site during the session.

  • Coaches use the changing rooms at different times from children and never photograph children in changing areas.

  • Under-18s may only do light technical sparring, with written consent from a parent or guardian and a coach supervising. Gumshields are compulsory, and headguards and sparring gloves are provided.

7. Coach code of conduct

  • Treat every child with respect and put their wellbeing ahead of winning or performance.

  • Use physical contact only where it is needed for coaching or safety, explain it first, and keep it in public view.

  • Never be alone with a child out of sight of others, give a child a lift alone, or meet a child outside of training.

  • Communicate with under-18s only through their parent or guardian or through official BoxcleverLDN channels, never through personal social media or private messages.

  • Never use offensive, sexualised or humiliating language, or shout at or bully a child.

  • Report any concern, however small, to the DSL the same day.

8. Recognising abuse

Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or neglect. It also includes bullying and cyberbullying, child sexual and criminal exploitation, radicalisation and online harm. Signs may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behaviour or appearance, withdrawal, fear of a particular adult, or a child telling you something directly.

9. If a child tells you something or you are worried

  • Stay calm, listen and let the child speak in their own words. Do not ask leading questions.

  • Reassure them they were right to tell you. Never promise to keep a secret. Explain that you will need to tell someone whose job is to help.

  • Write down what was said and what you saw as soon as possible, using the child's words, with the date, time and your signature.

  • Tell the DSL straight away. Do not investigate yourself or confront anyone.

  • If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 first.

10. Making a referral

Send all concerns to hi@boxcleverldn.com. The DSL decides on next steps and, where needed, refers the concern to the appropriate authorities or the police.

11. Concerns about a coach or member of staff

Any concern about the behaviour of an adult working at BoxcleverLDN must be sent to hi@boxcleverldn.com. Where required, the DSL will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within one working day. The person concerned may be suspended from youth sessions while the matter is looked into. We will report to the Disclosure and Barring Service where the law requires it.

12. Whistleblowing

Anyone can raise a concern about poor practice without fear of blame. Please send any concern to hi@boxcleverldn.com.

13. Photos, video and social media

  • We only photograph or film children when a parent or guardian has given written consent, and we respect any parent who says no.

  • We never publish a child's full name, school or other details that could identify where they are, alongside their image.

  • Coaches never store images of children on personal phones.

14. Records and confidentiality

Safeguarding records are kept securely and separately from other records, shared only with those who need to know, and handled in line with our Privacy Policy and Data Retention Policy.

15. Review

We review this policy every year, after any serious incident, and whenever the law or guidance changes.