safeguarding & child protection policy

Last updated: August 2026

1. Our commitment

Muddy MTB is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment for every child and young person who takes part in our activities.

The welfare of children and young people is our primary consideration. Everyone involved in delivering Muddy MTB activities has a responsibility to safeguard children, recognise concerns and take appropriate action where necessary.

This policy applies to all Muddy MTB coaches, employees, directors, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf.

2. Our safeguarding principles

Muddy MTB will:

  • put the welfare and safety of children first;

  • treat all children with dignity and respect;

  • provide activities in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment;

  • take concerns about a child's welfare seriously;

  • respond appropriately to allegations or disclosures of abuse;

  • recruit and supervise people working with children appropriately;

  • maintain appropriate safeguarding and emergency procedures; and

  • work with parents, carers and relevant agencies where appropriate.

Children will be treated fairly regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, background or any other characteristic.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Muddy MTB has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for overseeing safeguarding arrangements and responding to concerns.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Alex Woods
Contact:alex.woods@muddymtb.com

Where the concern relates to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, it should be reported to another Muddy MTB director or, where appropriate, directly to the relevant safeguarding authority.

4. Safer recruitment and coaches

We take reasonable steps to ensure that people working with children through Muddy MTB are suitable for their roles.

Depending on their role, this may include:

  • appropriate DBS checks;

  • identity and reference checks;

  • relevant coaching qualifications;

  • safeguarding training;

  • appropriate first-aid training; and

  • clear expectations regarding professional conduct.

Coaches are expected to understand their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to report a concern.

5. Appropriate behaviour

Muddy MTB coaches and other adults working with children must maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

They should:

  • communicate with children respectfully;

  • use appropriate and constructive coaching methods;

  • avoid favouritism or inappropriate relationships;

  • avoid unnecessary physical contact;

  • never use threatening, humiliating, discriminatory or sexually inappropriate language or behaviour;

  • avoid being unnecessarily isolated with an individual child; and

  • challenge bullying, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.

Mountain-bike coaching sometimes requires physical assistance, for example to help a child following a fall, administer first aid or demonstrate positioning or technique. Any physical contact should be appropriate, necessary and proportionate to the situation.

6. Supervision

We plan sessions with appropriate supervision for the age, ability and needs of participants and the environment in which the activity takes place.

Children should know who their coaches are and what to do if they become separated from the group.

Coaches will use appropriate procedures for headcounts, group management, meeting points and emergencies.

Where activities take place on trails or in woodland, coaches will consider factors including terrain, weather, visibility, public access and the ability of the group when determining appropriate supervision.

7. Recognising safeguarding concerns

A safeguarding concern may arise in many ways. This could include:

  • a child telling a coach that something has happened to them;

  • unexplained injuries or significant changes in behaviour;

  • signs of neglect;

  • bullying or peer-on-peer abuse;

  • inappropriate behaviour by an adult towards a child;

  • online or sexual abuse;

  • concerns about a child's home or wider environment; or

  • anything else that gives reasonable cause for concern about a child's welfare.

Coaches are not responsible for investigating suspected abuse. Their responsibility is to recognise, respond, record and report concerns appropriately.

8. If a child makes a disclosure

If a child tells a coach or other member of the Muddy MTB team something that raises a safeguarding concern, the adult should:

  • listen calmly and take the child seriously;

  • allow the child to explain in their own words;

  • avoid asking leading or unnecessary questions;

  • not promise to keep the information secret;

  • reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up;

  • explain, in an age-appropriate way, that the information may need to be shared with someone who can help;

  • make an accurate written record as soon as possible; and

  • report the concern promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

9. Reporting a concern

Any safeguarding concern should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

The DSL will consider the appropriate next steps, which may include contacting the child's parent or guardian, Children's Social Care, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the police or another relevant safeguarding organisation.

If a child is believed to be in immediate danger, the emergency services should be contacted by calling 999.

A concern may be referred to the appropriate authority without first contacting a parent or guardian where doing so could increase the risk to the child, compromise an investigation or otherwise be inappropriate.

10. Concerns about a coach or other adult

Any allegation or concern about the behaviour of a Muddy MTB coach, employee, volunteer or other adult working with children must be taken seriously and reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Where appropriate, Muddy MTB will seek advice from or make a referral to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and/or other statutory authorities.

Muddy MTB may suspend an individual from activities involving children while a safeguarding concern is considered. Suspension in these circumstances is a protective measure and does not in itself imply wrongdoing.

11. Bullying and behaviour between children

Bullying, intimidation, discrimination, harassment and abusive behaviour are not acceptable at Muddy MTB.

Coaches will take reasonable steps to address inappropriate behaviour and support the children involved.

Serious or repeated behaviour may result in a child being removed from an activity or prevented from attending future sessions where this is necessary to protect them or other participants.

12. Photography, video and social media

Photographs and videos of children will only be used by Muddy MTB in accordance with the permissions provided by their parent or guardian.

Coaches and others working on behalf of Muddy MTB must not use images of children inappropriately or share them through personal social-media accounts without appropriate authorisation.

We will take reasonable steps to avoid publishing unnecessary personal information alongside images of children.

13. communication with children

Where possible, organisational communication about bookings and activities should take place with parents or guardians rather than directly with younger children.

Coaches should not use private or personal communication channels to develop inappropriate one-to-one relationships with children.

Any necessary direct communication with young people should be professional, appropriate to their age and transparent.

14. Medical information and additional needs

Parents and guardians are asked to provide relevant information about medical conditions, allergies, disabilities and additional needs when booking.

This information will be made available to coaches where reasonably necessary to support the child's safe participation.

We aim to make reasonable adjustments where practicable so that children with additional needs can participate safely and positively.

15. First aid and emergencies

Appropriate first-aid arrangements will be in place for Muddy MTB activities.

If a child is injured or becomes unwell, coaches will take reasonable steps based on the circumstances. This may include administering first aid, contacting their parent or guardian or calling the emergency services.

Safeguarding concerns identified as a result of an injury or incident will be dealt with under this policy.

16. Confidentiality and record keeping

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and shared only with people who need the information to protect a child or meet our legal and safeguarding responsibilities.

Safeguarding concerns, disclosures, decisions and actions should be recorded accurately and securely.

Safeguarding information may need to be retained even after a child has stopped attending Muddy MTB.

Our handling of personal information is also governed by our Privacy Policy.

17. Working with parents and guardians

We want parents and guardians to feel comfortable raising any concern about their child's experience with Muddy MTB.

Where appropriate, we will communicate openly with parents and guardians about safeguarding matters.

However, the safety and welfare of the child takes priority. There may therefore be circumstances where information needs to be shared with safeguarding professionals before, or instead of, discussing the matter with a parent or guardian.

18. Reviewing this policy

Muddy MTB will review this policy regularly and update it where necessary following changes to our activities, safeguarding guidance or legislation.

Contact

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to a child participating in Muddy MTB, please contact:

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Alex Woods
Email:hello@muddymtb.com
Telephone: 07740357005

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.