5.13 Rules and sanctions
It is important that your rules and regulations are appropriate to deal with safeguarding issues, and that the staff that implement them have a good understanding of safeguarding. You may need a separate set of safeguarding regulations which sit alongside other disciplinary regulations.
Examples of sanctions that may be used in safeguarding cases:
- A temporary or
interim suspension. This is a neutral act – it doesn’t imply the organisation thinks the alleged perpetrator is guilty. It is simply put in place, often following a report of a serious concern, to protect everyone involved while the case is investigated. - A requirement for a period of close supervision, monitoring, or mentoring by identified individual/s.
- Mandatory safeguarding or other specified training.
- A permanent ban from taking part in any (or specified) sport-related activity (for example, a ban from the entire sport, or a ban from working with or near children).
Safeguarding Leads should research the sanctions currently available to the organisation – and make sure that these include arrangements that will address issues arising from safeguarding cases. Sanctions must be necessary, reasonable, and proportionate, reflecting the level of seriousness of a case.
You will also need to consider how to appropriately share any sanctions issued with those who need to be aware of them, in line with your local legislation and your organisation’s rules.
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| Appeals |
Any disciplinary system needs to be transparent and fair – and this includes ensuring the right of all parties involved to appeal against a decision or outcome. This could be an appeal against the decision or conclusions, or about the sanctions applied. Relevant processes and rules need to include appeal procedures which are explained to everyone involved. |
In the final section, you explore the difference between cases involving adults and children.
5.12 Decision-making
