Current CUYC Welfare Officer: Claudia de Greef Limia (cd707@cam.ac.uk)
Policy Statement
Cambridge University Yacht Club (CUYC) is committed to safeguarding adults at risk taking part in its activities from physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial harm or neglect. As the club anticipates that members identified as at risk may be small in number, cases will be dealt with on an individual basis such that if a member is identified as at risk, the Welfare Officer, RYA Principal and Commodore shall liaise with the member within 28 days of their identification to agree a bespoke plan to support and safeguard them during their activities with the club.
We recognise that everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage or civil partnership or social status, has a right to protection from discrimination and abuse. Everyone will be treated with dignity and respect.
Instructors
All Club instructors will be asked to complete a self-declaration when completing their annual instructor registration form on-line. If this form highlights any potential issue, the volunteer will be asked to supply an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure. External professional instructors will be asked to supply their own in date Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure before providing training to members of the club. If an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure report highlights that an individual poses a risk to vulnerable adults, then they will not be able to volunteer with the club.
Members
Any Member can self-identify as at risk on their crew register via the CUYC website. During crew registration, members will also be informed and asked to acknowledge that if a club officer or instructor identifies them as being at risk during CUYC activities, they will report this to the Welfare Officer, RYA Principal and Commodore. As long as a member has capacity, their consent will be sought before any further action is taken.
Good Practice
Instructors working with adults at risk should be aware of this policy and the guidance provided at the end of this document on good practice and how to recognising abuse. This policy will be available on-line with a link from the self-declaration section of the instructor register. It will also be openly available on the website for any member to view.
Concerns
Anyone who is concerned about the welfare of an adult should inform the Club Welfare Officer, RYA Principal or Commodore immediately, in strict confidence. If the concern relates to something that has/ is occurring outside of the club, then (where the member has capacity), their consent should be gained first. The Club Welfare Officer, RYA Principal and/or Commodore can discuss the case together (as necessary) and will follow the RYA procedures.
Any member of the Club failing to comply with the Safeguarding Adults policy and any relevant Codes of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.
Reporting Procedures
If you are uncertain what to do at any stage, contact the RYA’s Safeguarding Manager on 023 8060 4104 or your local authority Adult Social Care department.
Details of Adult Social Care departments and emergency duty teams are listed on local authority websites and in local phone books. If you are unable to find the appropriate contact number, call the RYA’s Safeguarding Manager or, if the person is at immediate risk, the Police.
CUYC Safeguarding Policy (PDF)