5.12 Decision-making

Show description|Hide description

A banner says. Decision-making. Around this are four characters representing people involved in athletics.

Ultimately, organisations need to make two key decisions concerning safeguarding cases:

Let’s consider each in turn.

Breach of the rules or code of conduct: Unlike criminal proceedings, where cases have to meet a higher threshold of proof, in safeguarding decisions, evidence needs to meet a lower threshold – that it is more likely than not that the allegation is true, based on all the available evidence. This is sometimes referred to as ‘on the balance of probabilities’.

Conclusions can range from there being no evidence to support the reported concerns; that on balance it is likely that the allegation is true; or, that there is clear evidence that the reported concerns are true.

Risk to others: Investigations should provide information to help the organisation form a view about the risk that an individual poses, and what steps are needed to address this risk. This may lead to a risk management plan being put in place.

Organisations should try to make defensible decisions, which prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults and withstand future scrutiny.

Once a defensible decision has been made, appropriate action should be taken – you consider this next.