top of page

FUSION Pro UK

Safeguarding Policy Statement

July 2020

​

Statement

​

FUSION Pro UK is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and accepts our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all adults involved in professional wrestling in accordance with the Care Act 2014.

FUSION Pro UK's safeguarding adults policy and procedures apply to all individuals involved in FUSION Pro UK.

FUSION Pro UK will encourage and support partner organisations, including clubs, promotions, schools, suppliers, and sponsors to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice of equality as set out in this safeguarding adults policy.

​

The guidance given in this policy is based on the following principles:

  • All adults, regardless of age, ability or disability, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status have the right to be protected from abuse and poor practice and to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.

  • FUSION Pro UK will seek to ensure that professional wrestling is inclusive and make reasonable adjustments for any ability, disability or impairment, we will also commit to continuous development, monitoring and review.

  • The rights, dignity and worth of all adults will always be respected.

  • We recognise that ability and disability can change over time, such that some adults may be additionally vulnerable to abuse, in particular those adults with care and support needs

  • We all have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all adults and will act appropriately and report concerns whether these concerns arise within FUSION Pro UK (for example inappropriate behaviour of a coach), or in the wider community.

  • All allegations will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly in line with FUSION Pro UK Safeguarding Adults Policy

  • FUSION Pro UK recognises the role and responsibilities of the statutory agencies in safeguarding adults and is committed to complying with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adults Boards.

 

Principles of adult safeguarding

​

The Care Act 2014 sets out the following principles that should underpin safeguarding of adults

  • Empowerment - People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.

  • Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.

  • Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

  • Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.

  • Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

  • Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding. 

 

Making Safeguarding personal

​

‘Making safeguarding personal’ means that adult safeguarding should be person led and outcome focussed. It engages the person in a conversation about how best to respond to their safeguarding situation in a way that enhances involvement, choice and control, as well as improving quality of life, well-being and safety. Wherever possible, FUSION Pro UK will discuss safeguarding concerns with the individual to get their view of what they would like to happen and keep them involved in the safeguarding process, seeking their consent to share information outside of the organisation where necessary.

Wellbeing Principle

The concept of wellbeing is threaded throughout the Care Act and it is one that is relevant to  safeguarding in sport and activity. Wellbeing is different for each of us however the Act sets out broad categories that contribute to our sense of wellbeing. By keeping these themes in mind, we can all ensure that  participants can take part in professional wrestling fully and safely.

  • Personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect)

  • Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing

  • Protection from abuse and neglect

  • Control by the individual over their day-to-day life (including over care and support provided and the way they are provided)

  • Participation in work, education, training or recreation

  • Social and economic wellbeing

  • Domestic, family and personal domains

  • Suitability of the individual’s living accommodation

  • The individual’s contribution to society.

 

Legislation

​

The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within the UK legislation and Government Guidance. They take the following into consideration:

  • The Care Act 2014

  • The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

  • Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012

  • The Equality Act 2010

  • The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • Mental Capacity Act 2005

  • Sexual Offences Act 2003

  • The Human Rights Act 1998

  • The Data Protection Act 1998

  • APPG All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry 2021

 

Definitions

​

To assist working through and understanding this policy a number of key definitions need to be explained:

*Adults are anyone aged 18 or over.

*Adult at Risk is a person aged 18 or over who:

     Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs); and;

  Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and;

  As a result of those care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

*Adults in need of care and support are determined by a range of factors including personal characteristics, factors associated with their situation or environment and social factors. A person’s disability or frailty does not mean that they will inevitably experience harm or abuse. In the context of safeguarding adults, the likelihood of an adult in need of care and support experiencing harm or abuse should be determined by considering a range of factors, not merely because they may be defined by one or more of the above descriptors.

*Adult safeguarding is protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. *Capacity refers to the ability to make a decision at a particular time, for example when under considerable stress. The starting assumption must always be that a person has the capacity to make a decision unless it can be established that they lack capacity (MCA 2005).

 

 Types of Abuse and Neglect

​

There are different types and patterns of abuse and neglect and different circumstances in which they may take place. The Care Act 2014 identifies the following as an illustrative guide and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. These sorts of behaviours could give rise to a safeguarding concern.

Self-neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour: neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

Modern Slavery – encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.

Domestic Abuse and coercive control – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. It also includes so-called 'honour' based violence. It can occur between any family members.

Discriminatory Abuse – discrimination is abuse which centres on a difference or perceived difference particularly with respect to race, gender or disability or any protected characteristics

Organisational Abuse – including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home.

Physical Abuse – including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.

Sexual Abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.

Financial or Material Abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits. Neglect – including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse – this includes threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.

 

Not included in the Care Act 2014 but also relevant:

​

Cyber Bullying – cyber bullying occurs when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks on another person through emails or text messages, or uses online forums with the intention of harming, damaging, humiliating or isolating another person.

Forced Marriage – forced marriage is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or both of the parties are married without their consent or against their will.

Mate Crime – a ‘mate crime’ as defined by the Safety Net Project as ‘when vulnerable people are befriended by members of the community who go on to exploit and take advantage of them. Radicalisation – the aim of radicalisation is to attract people to their reasoning, inspire new recruits and embed their extreme views and persuade vulnerable individuals of the legitimacy of their cause.

 

What to do if you have a concern or someone raises concerns with you.

​

  • It is not your responsibility to decide whether or not an adult has been abused. It is however everyone's responsibility to respond to and report concerns.

  • If you are concerned someone is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999 straight away. Where you suspect that a crime is being committed, you must involve the police.

  • If you have concerns and/or you are told about possible or alleged abuse, poor practice or wider welfare issues you must report this to Quita Williams or Helen Sheridan, our Safeguarding Leads. If the safeguarding lead is implicated then report to one of our training team – Ryan Ainsworth, Wynn Williams or Scott Dorgan.

  • When raising your concern with the Safeguarding Lead, remember Making Safeguarding Personal. It is good practice to seek the adult’s views on what they would like to happen next and to inform the adult you will be passing on your concern if it is safe to do so.

 

How to respond to a concern

​

  • Make a note of your concerns.

  • Make a note of what the person has said using his or her own words as soon as practicable.

  • Report to the Safeguarding Lead.

  • Remember to make safeguarding personal. Discuss your safeguarding concerns with the adult, obtain their view of what they would like to happen, but inform them it’s your duty to pass on your concerns to your safeguarding lead.

  • Describe the circumstances in which the disclosure came about.

  • Take care to distinguish between fact, observation, allegation and opinion. It is important that the information you have is accurate.

  • Be mindful of the need to be confidential at all times, this information must only be shared with the Safeguarding Lead and others on a need to know basis.

  • If the matter is urgent and relates to the immediate safety of an adult at risk then contact the emergency services immediately.

 

FUSION Pro UK is committed to having the following in place:

A Safeguarding Lead to produce and disseminate guidance and resources to support the policy and procedures.

Procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse or poor practice against members of staff, trainees and volunteers. 

Arrangements to work effectively with other organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults, including arrangements for sharing information.

An open and inclusive culture that enables safeguarding and equality and diversity issues to be addressed.

Clear codes of conduct are in place for coaches, volunteers and trainees.

 

Supporting documents

​

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents, including:

  • Code of conduct

  • Behaviour codes for trainees

​

Nominated safeguarding leads

​

Quita Williams

Helen Sheridan

 

 

This policy statement came into force on 9th July 2020. We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. This policy statement and accompanying procedures were last reviewed on 9th July 2020.

 

Signed: A.Ainsworth (Electronically)

WB Mason (Electronically)

​

Date: 10/07/20

bottom of page