3 - Safeguarding - Children and Young People

Policy Statement

For the purposes of this policy ‘young people’ refers to anyone under the age of 18.
  1. The British Go Association puts a high value on promoting Go amongst young people. It aims to encourage participation by young people in Association activities by making the events enjoyable and fun and by ensuring that young people are safe and feel safe and welcome.
  2. It is the responsibility of all members of the Association to endeavour to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and young people and to report any abuse, alleged or suspected.
  3. The Association will respond without delay to any complaints made that a child or young person, for whom the Association or its members or officers are responsible, may have been harmed.
How it is Implemented

The Board is responsible for appointing a Child Protection Adviser who:
  • advises the Board on Safeguarding Policy for young people and vulnerable adults and its implementation;
  • advises members involved in youth Go activities; and
  • is available to members to discuss any situation of concern that may come to their notice.
To contact the Child Protection Adviser email: child-protection@britgo.org

Association members who provide Go teaching to young people in schools should comply with any request by the school to obtain a Disclosure or Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Members who teach Go to young people in an unsupervised setting are likely to fall under the definition of Regulated Activity. This means that they are required by law to undergo a Barred List check. (See Policy and Procedures for checking criminal records).

The Board will satisfy itself as to the suitability of any person applying to take on the role of Child Protection Adviser and any other position deemed to involve significant interaction with young people, through a process which as a minimum:
  • discusses any previous experience working with children and young people;
  • requests the volunteer to confirm that they have never been convicted of, or cautioned for, a sexual offence or other offence against children;
  • has the volunteer either show or complete an application for the Enhanced Disclosure required by the previous policy;
  • may consider taking up references if appropriate.
The Association requires an Enhanced Disclosure for the Child Protection Adviser, and may require one for other appointed officials who regularly deal with young people. An Enhanced disclosure over 3 years old will only be acceptable if the individual has already registered with the DBS update service. The Association will obtain and/or renew such disclosures where they are needed.

For the purposes of this policy the organisers of Association-supported Go Tournaments and other events which are open to all adults and children are not considered to have direct responsibility for the care and supervision of children participating in the event. They are therefore not required to seek Disclosure or Enhanced Disclosure.

Procedures for association members working or volunteering with young people


1. Association activities aimed at young people

Each member working or volunteering with young people should:
  • treat all young people with respect and dignity;
  • not engage in any of the following:
    • scapegoating, ridiculing or rejecting a young person;
    • making any racially provocative comments to a young person, even in fun;
    • rough, physical or sexually provocative games;
    • making sexually suggestive comments about or to a young person, even in fun;
    • inappropriate and intrusive touching of any form;
    • sexual relationships with young people even if they consent.
  • not invite a young person to their home alone unless the parent(s) have given their permission;
  • if they see another volunteer acting in ways which could be harmful to a young person or might be misconstrued as such, be prepared to speak to the volunteer, or to the Child Protection Adviser, or to any member of the Board, about their concerns (see below ‘What to do if a situation of concern arises with a young person’.
2. Running a Go Club for young people

A member who runs a Go club for children or young people must be aware of the definition of Regulated Activity and the implications of this for their involvement with young Go players. This is explained fully in the Policy and Procedures for checking criminal records.

The Association can obtain a Criminal record check on their behalf and will help with teaching advice and materials.

3. Transporting young people to Go events

Members organising travel for young people to Go events should:
  • obtain the consent of the parent(s) before taking a young person anywhere except in an emergency;
  • provide the parents with a schedule and your contact information for the journey.
  • ideally have more than one passenger when transporting young people, unless the journey is less than 15 minutes duration or parental permission has been obtained to do otherwise.
We provide a form which you can use for this. It is advisable to update this information periodically.

4. Go events involving overnight stays

Children and young people are welcome at Go events of several days’ duration. If they are not accompanied by a parent it is essential that there is an adult present at the event who has supervisory responsibility for them. The responsible adult should ensure that they have the following information on each young person:
  • contact phone number,
  • details about any medical conditions,
  • prescriptions and allergies,
  • signed consent to seeking qualified treatment for them in case of injury or medical emergency.
If a worker or volunteer takes a group of young people to a tournament involving an overnight stay then this is considered as “Regulated Activity” as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.The individual thus requires an Enhanced Disclosure. The BGA Child Protection Advisor can provide further information and advice on this area.

Any adult with supervisory responsibilities who may be considered to be acting on behalf of the BGA should not share a private room with a young person, unless they are either a family member or have the agreement in writing from the young person’s parent.

5. Use of photographs of children for publicity purposes

The Association wishes to promote the playing of Go by children and young people. Accordingly, it publishes photographs of children playing Go in its Journal, on its website, in the press, and elsewhere.

No photograph of a child will be published without the permission of the child and his or her parents/carers. This permission may be given in the form of a general authorisation on an event entry form, and/or verbally at the time the photograph is taken. The name of a child appearing in a photograph will only be published with the explicit agreement of the child and his or her parents/carers.

The Association’s Child Protection Adviser should be consulted in cases of doubt.

6. What to do if a safeguarding concern arises with a young person

This section covers circumstances when a worker or volunteer has a concern relating to the safety and welfare of a young person. This concern may arise through observation or through the disclosure of the young person themselves.

If the concern arises in a school setting or on an activity holiday then the matter must be reported immediately to the relevant safeguarding lead of the establishment.

If a young person makes an allegation against an Association worker or volunteer the Child Protection Adviser must be informed without delay. The Adviser will ensure that the Local Authority Designated Officer is informed.

Immediate risk of harm: If it is believed that the young person is at immediate risk of harm, then the concern must be reported immediately to the Police or to Children’s Social Care.

Where the risk of harm is not immediate: If the issue is does not reach the threshold for an immediate referral, but is still a concern, doubt or worry, then the BGA Child Protection advisor can be contacted for advice, or alternatively the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

Some pointers if a young person discloses abuse:
  • Don’t ask leading questions but offer a concerned ‘listening ear’ to what the young person is telling you.
  • Do record what they have said to you as soon as possible after the conversation.
  • Don’t promise confidentiality.
  • Do let the young person know who you are going to speak to about what they have told you and let them know when you have done this, letting them know (if you are able to) what is likely to happen next.
  • Do consider carefully if and when the young person’s parents are informed. This should normally happen as soon as possible unless to do so will put the young person at further risk.
Supporting Information

Legal framework: This policy and procedures have been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect young people: The BGA's Policy and Procedures for checking criminal records.

See also Safeguarding - On-line Abuse

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Last updated Thu Jun 06 2024.
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