ESKA Safeguarding
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the responsibility we all share to ensure that every child, young person and vulnerable adult can participate in karate in a safe, supportive and respectful environment. It means protecting individuals from abuse, harm, neglect and exploitation, while promoting their welfare and wellbeing at all times.
In our dojo, safeguarding is not just a policy — it is a culture. It underpins how we teach, how we lead, and how we interact with students and families. Karate builds confidence, discipline and resilience; safeguarding ensures that this development takes place in an environment where students feel secure, valued and heard.
Safeguarding includes safe coaching practices, appropriate supervision, clear codes of conduct, robust recruitment and vetting procedures, and clear reporting processes should concerns arise. It applies to everyone involved in the club — instructors, volunteers, students and parents — and is fundamental to maintaining trust within our community.
We are committed to creating an inclusive dojo where respect is paramount, behaviour standards are clear, and the welfare of our members is always the highest priority.
Child Protection Policy
English Shotokan Karate Association acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Child Protection in Sport Units requirements.
The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio- economic background, all children and vulerable adults
have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at English Shotokan Karate Association in a safe and child centred environment
are protected from abuse whilst participating in karate or outside of the activity.
English Shotokan Karate Association acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy English Shotokan Karate Association will
promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people
ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in English Shotokan Karate Association. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.
MONITORING
The policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances:
changes in legislation and/or government guidance
as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, UK Sport and/or Home Country Sports Councils
as a result of any other significant change or event.
The information in this section has been taken directly from the CPSU section of the NSPCC website and addapted to our requirements. The information acts as a reference for all who participate in any kind of sport activity and not only helps protect the children, but also adult vulnerabilities too.
We do not take any responsibility for this content. all queries regarding it should be directed towards the NSPCC.
Our Safeguarding Policy
For a copy of our safeguarding policy, please contact our safeguarding team (safeguarding@eska.org.uk) or submit an enquiry above.
Our Safeguarding Officer
